In spring 2024, Carleton University’s first professional development and micro-credential courses opened for registration using the Apprendo platform.

The project to implement Apprendo, carried out with joint effort by the Office of the Vice-President (Students and Enrolment) and Information Technology Services, represents a significant step forward in offering accessible, integrated and user-friendly professional development and micro-credentials courses.

Apprendo is a marketplace platform that serves as a centralized space where various course offerings can be managed and accessed by prospective students.

The platform lists courses open for registration, providing detailed information on course descriptions, schedules and content. Registrants can browse course offerings, enrol and pay for their courses all within the application.

Integration with Carleton Systems

The platform is integrated with Carleton’s systems, such as Banner and Brightspace. This integration facilitates the registration process, pulling registrant information into Banner before providing course offerings in Brightspace, where applicable, ensuring a seamless experience for users.

The platform is designed with user experience in mind, offering functionalities like adding or removing seats, and opening or closing registrations. It also meets accessibility requirements, ensuring that the platform is accessible to users with disabilities.

Consolidating Departmental Offerings

One of the driving factors behind Apprendo’s adoption was to consolidate various departmental offerings into one platform, providing a cohesive user experience for those looking for courses at Carleton.

Apprendo’s design and functionality reflect a thoughtful approach to meeting the needs of both course providers and participants, promising a streamlined and efficient experience for all involved while enabling a new revenue stream for the university.