Detailed Case Study:
Industry: Education
Desire2Learn’s Degree Compass - Revolutionizing Student Course Selection
Detailed Case Study:
Industry: Education
Desire2Learn’s Degree Compass - Revolutionizing Student Course Selection
20%
more courses taken to complete degree requirements
Client Wins
AI-based recommendation system developed and deployed at 2 major universities within 6-months
1
special mentions from President Barack Obama
1
endorsement and investment from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
20%
more courses taken to complete degree requirements
Client Wins
AI-based recommendation system developed and deployed at 2 major universities within 6-months
1
special mentions from President Barack Obama
1
endorsement and investment from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Introduction
Desire2Learn (D2L), a visionary in the ed-tech sector,
renowned for their innovative solutions in education.
Background & Challenge
Economic and Social Impact
The U.S. grappling with a $450 billion loss due to dropout rates.
Higher Education Crisis
A staggering 30% dropout rate in colleges and universities within the first two years, attributed to misaligned course selection based on inadequate guidance.
Consequences
This trend not only resulted in significant financial loss for educational institutions but also deprived society of potential graduates who rarely returned to complete their degrees.
Background & Challenge
Economic and Social Impact
The U.S. grappling with a $450 billion loss due to dropout rates.
Higher Education Crisis
A staggering 30% dropout rate in colleges and universities within the first two years, attributed to misaligned course selection based on inadequate guidance.
Consequences
This trend not only resulted in significant financial loss for educational institutions but also deprived society of potential graduates who rarely returned to complete their degrees.
$450 billion
loss due to
dropout rates
30%
dropout rate in colleges and universities within the first two years
$450 billion
loss due to
dropout rates
30%
dropout rate in colleges and universities
within the first two years
The Mission
Partnership
Teaming up with Austin Peay State University to develop Degree Compass, a patented technology.
Goal
To address this prevalent issue in higher education by enhancing the course selection process using AI-driven recommendations.
Our Strategic Approach
Technological Gap
D2L’s prototype showed promise but required significant advancements to be viable for widespread deployment.
Our Comprehensive Strategy
Expert Team Formation
Assembled a cross-functional team of engineers, data scientists, and educational specialists.
Collaboration Framework
Established robust partnerships with multiple educational institutions for critical data access.
Data-Driven Insights
Harvested and analyzed extensive historical student data encompassing academic performances, interests, and extracurricular involvements.
Cutting-Edge AI Development
Innovated AI algorithms to predict optimal course matches with remarkable precision.
Efficient Data Integration
Created sophisticated data pipelines to seamlessly incorporate institutional data into the Degree Compass platform.
Our Strategic Approach
Technological Gap
D2L’s prototype showed promise but required significant advancements to be viable for widespread deployment.
Our Comprehensive Strategy
Expert Team Formation
Assembled a cross-functional team of engineers, data scientists, and educational specialists.
Collaboration Framework
Established robust partnerships with multiple educational institutions for critical data access.
Data-Driven Insights
Harvested and analyzed extensive historical student data encompassing academic performances, interests, and extracurricular involvements.
Cutting-Edge AI Development
Innovated AI algorithms to predict optimal course matches with remarkable precision.
Efficient Data Integration
Created sophisticated data pipelines to seamlessly incorporate institutional data into the Degree Compass platform.
Execution and Innovation
Rapid Product Evolution
Transformed the initial prototype into a full-fledged, scalable product in just six months.
User-Centric Design
Implemented an intuitive system allowing students to effortlessly access personalized course recommendations.
Impact and Recognition
Transformational Educational Outcomes
Degree Compass significantly increased course relevancy for students, leading to a dramatic decrease in dropout rates.
National and Global Acclaim
Garnered attention and endorsements from prominent figures like President Barack Obama and received substantial investment from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Scientific Validation
Empirical studies substantiated the system’s efficacy in aligning students with suitable courses, enhancing academic success rates.
Impact and Recognition
Transformational Educational Outcomes
Degree Compass significantly increased course relevancy for students, leading to a dramatic decrease in dropout rates.
National and Global Acclaim
Garnered attention and endorsements from prominent figures like President Barack Obama and received substantial investment from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Scientific Validation
Empirical studies substantiated the system’s efficacy in aligning students with suitable courses, enhancing academic success rates.
Financials and Project Lifecycle
Investment
$5 million allocated for this groundbreaking initiative.
Duration
Intensive development and implementation phase spanning over one year.
Conclusion
This project exemplifies a landmark achievement in aligning technology with educational needs.
The Degree Compass system, spearheaded by D2L and TetraNoodle, not only revolutionized course selection processes but also set a new standard in personalized education, dramatically impacting student success and institutional efficiency.
Testimonials
"TetraNoodle brought a very pragmatic, collaborative attitude to the work"
Stephen Michaud,
Senior Manager at The University of British Columbia
TetraNoodle is used to designing and maintaining mission critical implementations."
Simon Ruddell,
Senior Project Manager at Coast Capital Savings
Conclusion
This project exemplifies a landmark achievement in aligning technology with educational needs.
The Degree Compass system, spearheaded by D2L and TetraNoodle, not only revolutionized course selection processes but also set a new standard in personalized education, dramatically impacting student success and institutional efficiency.
Testimonials
"TetraNoodle brought a very pragmatic, collaborative attitude to the work"
Stephen Michaud,
Senior Manager at The University of British Columbia
TetraNoodle is used to designing and maintaining mission critical implementations."
