The University of Calgary has released an early version of their new mobile application for the new learning management system, Desire2Learn. The app, released on July 12, is compatible with Blackberry, Windows 8, Android and iOS devices.
While the app is still in beta stage, technology integration group manager at the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, D’Arcy Norman, said it works as it should.
“It’s there and it’s fully functional, but we’re still treating it as a beta,” Norman said.
The final version of the app will be released this fall.
By syncing with your phone’s calendar, the app can send push notifications when there are updates, new files and important dates.
When the U of C decided to abandon Blackboard and transition to a new learning management system — which was officially changed this summer — deciding which system to adopt included the need to support a mobile application.
Norman said that the University wanted to make it easier for students to access the learning management system. Through Desire2Learn, they can analyze which operating systems and platforms are logging onto the system.
“Right now tablets are a really small sliver of that and so are mobile phones,” Norman said. “I’m hoping we can start pushing the information so that you can use it where you are.”