Providing flexible, engaging learning environments for online distance learners

Teesside University selects D2L’s Brightspace to deliver personalised distance learning.

D2L, the global learning technology leader, today announced that Teesside University has selected the Brightspace platform to provide a flexible, engaging learning environment for its online distance learners.

Teesside University has a reputation for educational innovation and recently embarked on an ambitious digital transformation programme that embraced Future Facing Learning (FFL), a unique strategic approach to learning and teaching that provides students with the skills, knowledge and expertise to thrive in complex and uncertain futures.

In 2018, the University launched a major strategic initiative to expand its portfolio of online courses. With FFL in mind, Teesside University decided it needed a sophisticated online learning platform that would help deliver a modern, accessible, personalised learning experience for its online students.

“As a university that is known for its innovative, forward-thinking approach to learning, it was important that we chose a cutting-edge platform to deliver our online distance learning courses,” said Professor Mark Simpson, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) at Teesside University.

“Brightspace offered a distinctive, high quality solution. The user experience is outstanding, particularly from a design perspective, and the Intelligent Agent feature, which automates communication between staff and students, is extremely valuable. Our students and staff are able to talk to each other and access materials wherever they are, which is crucial when face-to-face tutoring is not an option.”

The Brightspace platform will initially be rolled out across three of the University’s online learning courses, including BA (Hons) Business and Enterprise (Top-Up), MSc Cybersecurity and Teesside University Business School’s flagship MBA course, with plans to expand in the future.

“Today’s students increasingly expect access to technology that is seamless, dynamic and tailored to their specific needs – and D2L is helping us deliver this,” continued Professor Simpson.

“These courses provide a flexible environment for students, whether they are employees juggling the demands of the modern workplace or part-time learners who wish to study at their own pace. What’s great about Brightspace is that it enables us to tailor learning around the needs of our students without losing the quality associated with a traditional degree. It will help us grow our online portfolio by taking the strengths of our on-campus provision and widening it out to a whole new market, both nationally and internationally.”

Brightspace is mobile responsive, offers real-time analytics, a personalised learning experience and is built with accessibility in mind, all within one flexible Virtual Learning Environment. The dynamic and mobile Daylight interface lets instructors design courses easily, create content and grade assignments on their phone or tablet. Brightspace’s built-in analytics lets Teesside University monitor courses tailored to each learner’s experience.

“Like us, Teesside University is dedicated in its mission to deliver the most engaging learning experience for its students,” said Elliot Gowans, Senior VP International, D2L. “Successful distance learning requires adaptable, engaging technology that enables students and staff to build relationships in a digital environment. It’s great that Teesside University recognises this and is making the investment necessary to deliver a world-class online experience. We are thrilled to be working with the University and look forward to strengthening the relationship further.”

The Brightspace platform is being rolled out across three of the University’s online distance learning courses: BA (Hons) Business and Enterprise (Top-Up), MSc Cybersecurity and Teesside University Business School’s flagship MBA course.

The implementation of Brightspace is aligned with the University’s Future Facing Learning (FFL) strategic approach to learning and teaching.

ABOUT TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY: Based in Middlesbrough, is a well-regarded, financially strong institution, recognised regionally and nationally for the transformative impact it has on the communities it serves, and is a catalyst for economic, social and cultural development.

Teesside University generates and applies knowledge that contributes to the economic, social and cultural success of students, partners and the communities we serve. Through education enriched by research, innovation, and engagement with business and the professions, we transform lives and economies.

Our vision is to be a leading University with an international reputation for academic excellence that provides an outstanding student and learning experience underpinned by research, enterprise and the professions. 

ABOUT BRIGHTSPACE: A cloud-based learning platform that makes online and blended learning easy, flexible and smart. Brightspace is a quantum leap beyond a traditional Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) ¾ it is easy to drag-and-drop content to create engaging courses, supports all mobile devices, has industry-leading up-time and is accessible for all learners. Plus, Brightspace enables the future of learning with a gaming engine, adaptive learning, video management, intelligent agents, templated interactives for course design, full support for outcomes or competency-based learning, and actionable learning analytics.

D2L’s Brightspace was recently named the #1 LMS in Higher Ed by Ovum Research and #1 in Adaptive Learning by eLearning Magazine. In addition, Aragon Research included D2L in its highly coveted Hot Vendors In Learning list.

ABOUT D2L: Learning is the foundation upon which all progress and achievement rests. Working closely with clients, D2L has transformed the way millions of people learn online and in the classroom.