DOE Launches iLearnNH for NH Schools

CONCORD- The New Hampshire Department of Education today launched iLearnNH, a statewide Learning Management System (LMS) that is open at no cost to New Hampshire schools. iLearnNH is built on Canvas, an LMS that gives teachers the ability to build and manage courses based on their local curriculum, manage and grade assignments, and communicate with students.

“Teachers can harness digital tools to improve in-class, as well as remote, instruction,” said Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut. “It will allow schools to be nimble should they face disruptions to education like COVID-19.”

Through the Kaltura software tool offered as part of the Canvas platform, teachers will be able to create video lessons, and students will be able to create video reports. iLearnNH will also provide an online portal to connect with students should a classroom or school need to shift to remote instruction.  

The Department of Education is hosting a series of webinars to help teachers, administrators, parents, and students familiarize themselves with iLearnNH, and the tools it provides:

• Canvas LMS for Students and Families- July 27, 28, 29, 30, 12:00 PM
• Canvas LMS for Teachers- July 20, 21, 22, 23, 10:00 AM
• Canvas LMS for Teachers- July 27, 28, 29, 30, 1:00 PM
• Canvas LMS for Administrators- July 21 & 23, 12:00 PM
• Canvas LMS for Administrators- July 20 & 22, 2:00 PM

The Community College System of New Hampshire’s seven colleges are already using Canvas as CCSNH’s single LMS, which has afforded efficiencies and a common platform for all CCSNH students and faculty, and this summer the University System of New Hampshire (USNH)  made the decision to consolidate its four institutions to Canvas in order to improve the consistency and scope of online learning.  The Department of Education has signed a contract with USNH to provide free access and support to iLearnNH to all New Hampshire schools. For districts that choose to adopt the program, the iLearnNH agreement will create a seamless user experience with CCSNH and USNH.

“This LMS contract partnership with DOE and CCSNH is an efficient and innovative approach that leverages the scale and buying power of the DOE and of our State’s two higher education systems and will provide significant economies and opportunity for innovative collaborations,” said Chancellor Todd Leach, University System of New Hampshire.

“Through iLearnNH, we can expand capability in K-12 classrooms across New Hampshire, at no cost to local school districts,” added Stephen Appleby, Director of the Division of Educator Support and Higher Education with DOE.

The three-year, $6.2 million contract supporting the DOE’s iLearnNH is funded through a pair of federal grants and the Coronavirus Relief Fund of the CARES Act.

“Adoption of Canvas by both public systems of higher education is a win-win for students and the state as we expand learning opportunities and pathways,” said Dr. Susan Huard, Interim Chancellor of CCSNH.  “It will strengthen ease of use for students as they navigate educational options. Creating similar options for school districts in New Hampshire paves the way for connections that would span K-20.”

USNH, CCSNH, and districts that opt in will use the same technology system for remote learning, which has become an imperative since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of a common LMS for teaching and learning will make for a consistent user experience for students and faculty.  

For more information on iLearnNH, contact Stephen Appleby at stephen.appleby@doe.nh.gov

Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut (r) signs contract
to create iLearnNH along with Director Stephen Appleby (l).