Google and edX team up to launch MOOC.org

Google and edX will build out and operate MOOC.org.

EdX, the not-for-profit online learning initiative, edX, which is founded by Harvard and MIT, has announced a partnership with Google to jointly develop their open-source learning platform, known as Open edX. The edX core offerings currently consist of a few dozen free “Massive Open Online Courses,” or MOOCs, from top-flight university partners like MIT, Harvard, and Berkeley–but the Open edX vision goes far beyond that.

 

 

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College enrollment declined in 2012, but for good reasons

Ninety percent of the overall decline in enrollment was from students over 25.

For the first time in six years the number of college students has declined, according to new Census figures released this week. The half-a-million-student drop is “a huge decline,” Census Bureau statistician Julie Siebens told me. This sounds like bad news, but it could actually be a sign of good news. It means the labor market is — slowly, but surely — getting better.

 

 

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Carnegie Mellon increases the proportion of women in computer science from 7% to 42%

In 2004, 30% of undergraduate computer science degrees awarded at Carnegie Mellon were to women.

Allan Fisher, the Associate Dean of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, realized there was a gender ratio problem in the department in 1995. Only 7% of freshman computer science majors were women. Along with Jane Margolis, a social scientist, Fisher tried to figure out what they could do to change the ratio. By 2000, 42% of the freshman class was made up of women.

 

 

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Global demand for learning games and simulations is surging

Revenues for game-based learning will grow to $2.3 billion by 2017.

According to recent analysis, the global market for learning games and simulations is growing and likely to continue to expand over the next few years, driven in large part by the booming use of mobile technologies.

 

 

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The history of distance learning: Infographic

In 2009, over 4 million students were taking some sort of course online.

The insertion of the internet into our daily lives sure has changed the landscape of how distance learning has evolved and is consumed, there was certainly a lot of history that preceded it. The infographic below takes a look at the strides distance learning has made over the years and really highlights how the internet has really helped to expand the offerings to many more people.

 

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In states with stronger teachers’ unions students learn less

There is a 4% fall in student proficiency rates in states where teachers’ unions are stronger.

According to a study by Johnathan Lott of the University of Chicago Law School and Lawrence W. Kenny of the University of Florida of 721 U.S. school districts in 42 states shows a 1-standard-deviation rise in teachers’ union dues per teacher is associated with a 4% fall in student proficiency rates.

 

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Mobile learning game market will grow from $1.5 billion to $2.3 billion by 2017

Game-based learning focuses on teaching knowledge to kids or general consumers.

A new research report by Ambient Insight finds that educational games, also known as “serious games,” are going through a renaissance in part because of the acceptance of learning apps on mobile devices.

 

 

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It all comes down to money when picking a college and major

Nearly half of adults are limiting their child’s college choices based on price.

Families are cost-cutting before their kids even apply to schools because of the financial burden of paying for college. According to a new survey by Discover Student Loans, And it’s affecting students’ decisions about not only where to go, but what to study.

 

 

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New statistics prove our student loan system is broken

Millions of former students are struggling under the weight of loans.

There are millions of students who are senselessly defaulting on their student loans while failing to take advantage of programs meant to protect them financially. And chances are, it’s the poorest, least sophisticated borrowers who are suffering worst.

 

 

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Academic libraries are shaping the future of learning and research

Saltire Center at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Brian Sullivan, a librarian at Alfred University, wrote “the academic library has died” in an opinion piece responding to the gloomy tone of a 2011 report on the future of academic libraries. “One reason for cause of death is that library buildings were converted into computer labs, study spaces and headquarters for informational-technology departments.”

 

 

 

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Codementor: An open marketplace where developers can ask experts for one-on-one programming help

Codementor

All programmers are familiar with this scenario: you are coding alone, only to have something go wrong and no one to ask for help. Codementor wants to help developers by providing an open marketplace where they can ask experts for one-on-one programming and design help.

 

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Discover the Hidden Patterns of Tomorrow with Futurist Thomas Frey
Unlock Your Potential, Ignite Your Success.

By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.

Learn More about this exciting program.