Desire2Learn Announces Winners of Annual Innovation Award in Teaching and Learning

KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 27, 2014) - Desire2Learn (D2L), the EdTech company that created the world's first truly integrated learning platform (ILP), in conjunction with The Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE), today announced the five outstanding post-secondary educators who have been selected as winners of the 2014 Desire2Learn Innovation Award in Teaching and Learning.

Christopher Buddle of McGill University, Elaine Khoo of the University of Toronto, Brent Mainprize of the University of Victoria, Marco Pollanen of Trent University and Ken Van Rees of the University of Saskatchewan were all honored for their exceptional and innovative approaches to education.

"Desire2Learn believes in supporting and encouraging outstanding educators," said John Baker, President and CEO of Desire2Learn. "These five exceptional educators demonstrate leadership, creativity, and a passion for innovative, student-centred teaching and learning approaches. These individuals and their work are a key to helping our learners achieve success."

The annual Desire2Learn Innovation Award celebrates innovative teaching and learning approaches in post-secondary education, both nationally and internationally. Through this award, educators are encouraged to explore, experiment, and reflect on innovative teaching and learning techniques.

This year's winners showcased a wide variety of rich, meaningful, and student-centred methods to teaching and learning. From the thoughtful integration of technology to curriculum and course redesign and the blending of art and science, each winner demonstrated leadership, creativity, and a passion for developing new ways of supporting learning.

A panel of seven highly-experienced post-secondary educators selected the winners. They will be celebrated in Kingston at the 2014 STLHE Annual Conference, taking place from June 17-20, and at FUSION 2014, Desire2Learn's Global Users Conference, taking place in Nashville, TN from July 14-16.

"Christopher, Elaine, Brent, Marco, and Ken personify creativity and innovation in post-secondary education in Canada," said Arshad Ahmad, STLHE President. "The STLHE board offers heartfelt congratulations to acknowledge their contributions to teaching and learning and thanks Desire2Learn for supporting this important award."

Each of the five winners will receive a two-year membership in STLHE as well as $2,200 towards travel and registration costs for FUSION.

For more information about the award and the winners, please visit www.stlhe.ca/awards/desire2learn-innovation-award/2014-recipients.

About The Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE)

STLHE strives to be the pre-eminent national voice and a world leader for enhancing teaching and learning in higher education. STLHE supports research, its dissemination, increased awareness and application of research through scholarly teaching and learning. Visit www.stlhe.ca for more information.

About Desire2Learn

Desire2Learn (D2L) is the pioneer of the Integrated Learning Platform, delivering an engaging and personalized learning experience for every individual. With a focus on improving the learning experience, the company partners with thought-leading institutions and organizations to accelerate learning and improve results. D2L strives for accessibility in all of its applications, ensuring that learning is available to everyone regardless of geography or ability. A global leader in EdTech, D2L provides an open and extensible platform for more than 1,100 clients and 13 million learners in higher education, K12, healthcare, government and the enterprise sector, including Fortune 1000 companies. D2L has operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Brazil and Singapore. For more information, visit: www.Desire2Learn.com.