itslearning

The system was created by a group of students at Bergen University College in 1998 as a master's project on the topic of "virtual classrooms".[2][3] A group of teachers asked whether the system could be created, and after receiving a sum of start-up money from the College, itslearning was created the following year and Bergen University College became the first user of the system.[2][3] The company was first established as "it:solutions".[2]

In 2004, Arne Bergby became CEO of itslearning.[2] As of 2015 Bergby owns 9.16% of the holding company in ownership of itslearning.[3] A U.S. office was opened in 2009 in Massachusetts.[2] In 2013, itslearning acquired SkoleIntra, and in 2015 Fronter.[2] In 2014, 40% of the company was sold to the Swedish private equity fund EQT. The company at the time was valued at 600 million NOK ($73 million).[3]

itslearning experimented and abandoned some markets such as Spain and Italy, where it was difficult to generate revenue.[3]

As of 2016, the company headquarters are in Bergen, Norway, with offices in Atlanta, Berlin, Boston, Copenhagen, Enschede, Helsinki, Milton Keynes, Malmö, Mulhouse, and Paris.

Itslearning demonstrates features that enable 21st century learning models. These include:

• A massive content library
• Advanced reporting and analytics
• Individual learning plan capabilities
• Teacher communities

The system gives teachers and students a virtual home for learning collaboration. There are tools for individual and group messaging, group projects, classroom competitions.

The system is an arena for communication and cooperation, as well as a tool for administration, evaluation and follow-up. itslearning is specially adapted for schools, and enables publishing of subject schedules, and individual or group messages (as to a class). In project assignments, students can create groups where files may be uploaded, or ideas discussed. It is also possible to create and publish tests and competitions in the system. Assignments may be published with or without a deadline, and hand-ins may be uploaded digitally, with options for grading the hand-in digitally and displaying the assessment to the student. There is also access to ePortfolio, which gives students a concrete end-of-year presentation of their accomplishments.

itslearning claims to have over seven million active users worldwide, mainly in the United States, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, Germany and Brazil.[3] Over 900.000 users exist in Norway alone,[4] one of the few countries where Moodle is not first by market share.[5]

In Norway, itslearning is used extensively by several schools and educational institutions, including: Norwegian School of Economics, BI Norwegian Business School, Norwegian School of Information Technology and University of Stavanger. Additionally, it is used by primary, middle and high schools. The county municipalities of Buskerud, Hordaland, Hedmark, Nordland, Rogaland, Vest-Agder and Vestfold all use itslearning in high schools.

Several US school districts use itslearning as a school platform, including Houston Independent School District, Spring Branch Independent School District, Forsyth County Schools, and Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation.

Evaluations of itslearning indicate that its users are satisfied with the system. A survey carried out in 2003 showed that a high percentage of users at Bergen University College were pleased with the system.[6] In 2010, A second survey, carried out in conjunction with a Master's degree project, showed that 67% of students at different faculties at Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Sør-Trøndelag University College are satisfied or very satisfied with itslearning.[7] However, another survey also carried out at Norwegian University of Science and Technology in 2013 showed a multitude of issues both students and teachers were dissatisfied with.[8]

• Winner of 2019 EdTech Digest Cool Tool Award for Learning Management System (LMS) Solution (2019) [9]
• Finalists for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (IN) “Deeper Learning for All Students” (Universal Design for Learning) (2019)
• IMS Global, Using LMS Interoperability to Power and Drive Student-Centered Learning. Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township (2018) [10]
• IMS Global, Bronze Medal: Taking Technology Integration to the Next Level in K-12. Houston ISD (2017)[11]
• IMS Global, Silver Medal: itslearning “HUB” at Houston ISD (2015)[12]
• CODiE award for best personalized learning platform (2014)[13]
• TISIP's e-learning award (2009)[14]
• DnB NOR's business award (2008)[15]
• Bergen municipality establisher award[16]
• Rising star Award (2007)[17]

• https://itslearning.com