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EDUCAUSE and NGLC announce second wave of funding

On 01/19/2011, in budgets, education reform, graphics, K-12 related, by Daniel Christian

Press Release:
EDUCAUSE and NGLC announce second wave of funding

SEATTLE – Next Generation Learning Challenges today announced a new round of challenge grants that will provide up to $10 million to expand promising technology tools and applications that help more students master seventh- through ninth-grade math and literacy competencies, which are critical to college and career readiness. The initiative, which is already supported by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, also announced today a $1.4 million investment from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to broaden funding for the program’s grants to innovators.

“This initiative has the potential to help change how the next generation of students learns,” said Paul Brest, president of the Hewlett Foundation. “Technology has a great role to play in advancing ‘deeper learning,’ an approach to improving education that helps students achieve a critical combination of the fundamental knowledge and practical skills they will need to succeed in a fiercely competitive global economy.”

Next Generation Learning Challenges provides investment capital to technologists, institutions, educators, and entrepreneurs to bring promising technology solutions to more students across the K-12 to postsecondary spectrum. The initiative released its first request for proposals (RFP)—focused on improving postsecondary education—in October 2010. Finalists eligible for funding from this round will be announced within the next several weeks.

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This post may be related / helpful to the previous posting (1-15-11) about the Detroit Public Schools!

On 01/15/2011, in blended learning, budgets, education reform, hybrid learning, K-12 related, online learning, by Daniel Christian

A Big Idea: Blended CBO — from EdReformer.com by Tom Vander Ark

The nation received a friendly ‘C’ in the annual state of the nation last week. We need quality at scale and there is finally a way achieve it.

More than two million students learn online.  The scaled providers (Apex, K12, Connections, Florida Virtual, NC Virtual, and Lincoln Interactive to name a few) could triple in size given 60 days notice and do it with consistent quality.  We’ve never had an opportunity like that; it’s only local and state policy that stands in the way  of better learning opportunities for several million kids and fast.

Community–based organizations (CBO) build powerful sustained relationships with youth, engage them in developmental activities, and connect them to youth and family services.  Many of them are frustrated by working around struggling schools.

If we combine the two assets—online instruction and powerful community connections—we get one big scalable idea: blended CBOs.  A blended school model incorporates online learning and onsite support in ways that are often more flexible and cost effective than traditional schools.

Michael Robbins, Department of Education’s Office of Faith-Based Partnerships, is interested in expanding the educational impact of CBOs.  He thinks blended CBOs is a big idea.  Over breakfast at DC’s Tabard Inn, Michael and I sketched out a couple ways this idea could scale:

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Here in Michigan…we will pay for this, one way or another. How can we best help out?!

On 01/15/2011, in Australia, budgets, economics, education reform, Europe, global / globalization, India, K-12 related, Michigan, online learning, open courseware and systems, relationships, UK, United States, by Daniel Christian

Half of Detroit’s schools may close — from good.is

studying.girls
Financial mismanagement and declining enrollment are ringing a death knell for Detroit’s schools. According to Detroit Public School Emergency Manager Robert Bobb, to close a $327 million budget deficit, he’ll need to shut half of the city’s campuses over the next two years.

Under the plan, the 142 current schools in the district would be reduced to 72 by the 2012-13 school year. What will happen to the students attending those schools? Bobb plans to shift them over to the remaining campuses, raising class sizes to 62 students per teacher.

From DSC:
Seriously…this is crazy and completely unfair! Those of us who have more resources need to step in and help out. But how can we best do this? How can folks outside of the Detroit area make a solid, helpful impact? Coming from the tech side of the house, I’d like to see us offer FREE materials…online.

That assistance could come from private corporations, individuals, colleges, universities or for-profit organizations such as K12 Inc.  Another idea along the lines of individuals, is to allocate $1-$5 billion from the amounts being donated by some of the nation’s wealthiest people. Use those funds to make outstanding educational materials that engage our youth. Then we could offer those incredibly-well done, multimedia-based, interactive, engaging, highly-sophisticated materials FREELY to anyone who wants access to them — whether inside or outside the United States. This would be a massive undertaking from a curricular, instructional design, programming, production, etc. standpoint. But WOW! What a difference it could make to level the playing field!

Perhaps working with vendors, some of the funding could be used for loaning out the devices needed to “play” and interact with the materials, and perhaps some other funding could be allocated to the city of Detroit to provide wireless access throughout the city and surrounding suburbs.

Also see:

The $600 billion challenge– from Fortune

Bill Gates, Melinda Gates, and Warren Buffett are asking the nation’s billionaires to pledge to give at least half their net worth to charity, in their lifetimes or at death. If their campaign succeeds, it could change the face of philanthropy.

The Giving Pledge

…and the list goes on…


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Six predictions for education in 2011 [M. Horn]

On 01/14/2011, in budgets, emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, future, game-changing environment, innovation, K-12 related, mobile learning, online learning, pace of change, by Daniel Christian

Six predictions for education in 2011 — from Forbes.com by Michael Horn

Excerpts:

As 2011 dawns, expect to see the rate of innovation in education increase. The weak economy that has bogged down the United States for the past two years will continue to lift the online learning innovations to new heights in both K-12 and postsecondary education.

Here are six trends and predictions to watch for in the New Year.

1. Just under 40 percent of all U.S. postsecondary students will enroll in at least one fully online course in the fall of 2011.
2. Public school budgets will continue to shrink, so more districts will do more business with online learning providers to fill in the gaps.
3. An increasing number of suburban schools will begin using online learning, too.
4. Not to be outdone, education entrepreneurs will create high quality chartered schools that jump in the online learning game as well.
5. User-generated online content will begin to explode in education.
6. Mobile learning, the subject of increasing hype in the United States, will make its impact in the developing world first.

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Recession’s toll on K-12 budgets both wide and deep

On 01/13/2011, in budgets, game-changing environment, K-12 related, leadership, legislatures / government / legal, online learning, by Daniel Christian

Recession’s toll on K-12 budgets both wide and deep — from EdWeek.org by Alyson Klein

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The need for innovation: Items re: how the price of higher ed is affecting students, families, communities, nations

On 01/11/2011, in budgets, business side of he, cost of getting a degree, funding / grants, future, future of higher education, legislatures / government / legal, New "Amazon.com" of Higher Education, new business models, staying relevant, student-related, United States, by Daniel Christian

One from DSC:


What goes up...must come down -- by Daniel S. Christian

Abstract:
A perfect storm has been building within higher education. Numerous, powerful forces have been converging that either already are or soon will be impacting the way higher education is offered and experienced. This paper focuses on one of those forces – the increasing price tag of obtaining a degree within higher education.  It will seek to show that what goes up…must come down.  Some less expensive alternatives are already here today; but the most significant changes and market “corrections” appear to be right around the corner. That is, higher education is a bubble about to burst.

One from CNBC:

Price of Admission: America's College Debt Crisis

— from CNBC on Monday, January 3, 2011

Also see:

From DSC:
Disclosure: I work for Calvin College. However, I publish the above items in the hopes that those of us at Calvin and within higher education as a whole will choose to innovate — that we will think outside the box in order to greatly lower the cost of providing a degree within higher education. It would be very helpful to future students, families, communities, nations.

No matter how you look at it, pain — but also opportunities — are ahead. Change will not be easy, nor will it be comfortable.  It will most likely be very scary and very tough. At least for me, this posting and the topic it discusses evokes major soul and heart searching for me. Nevertheless, the questions remain:

  • What changes do we need to make so that institutions of higher education can become more affordable? Stay relevant? Be sustainable over time?
  • What should we put in place of the current “status quo”?
  • Who receives the pain? Who enjoys the opportunities?

Also see:

Addendum on 1-19-11:

Student Loan Docume -- videos on Vimeo

http://www.defaultmovie.com/

Addendum on 1/22/10:
The Bubble: Higher Education’s Precarious Hold on Consumer Confidence — from National Association of Scholars

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Higher education takes $1-billion hit in governor’s budget (CA, USA)

On 01/11/2011, in budgets, business side of he, higher education, United States, by Daniel Christian

Higher education takes $1-billion hit in governor’s budget — LA Times

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Governors will guide the shift to digital learning

On 01/07/2011, in budgets, change, digital learning, education reform, K-12 related, leadership, legislatures / government / legal, online learning, by Daniel Christian

Governors will guide the shift to digital learning — from EdReformer.com by Tom Vander Ark

State leadership matters in education (as mentioned in National Journal), now more than ever.

States are broke. While revenues lag, costs continue to escalate (as a result of automatic pay increases, cost of living adjustments, and public pension payments) requiring several more years of painful cutbacks.  Without strong state leadership, these cuts will have a disproportionate impact on low-income students.

It’s clear that a decade of standards-based reform has fallen short of expectations.  Implementing real college and career ready standards that provide smooth transition to earning college credits will be a central challenge of this decade.

The pivot to personal digital learning holds the promise of customizing and extending learning, ensuring that every student receives quality instruction, and making schools more efficient.  However, the shift requires state and local leadership.

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Policy, Fiscal Challenges Confront State Officials

On 01/04/2011, in budgets, business side of he, education, education reform, future of higher education, game-changing environment, higher education, K-12 related, legislatures / government / legal, by Daniel Christian

Policy, Fiscal Challenges Confront State Officials — from EdWeek.org by Sean Cavanagh

Governor Jerry Brown addresses the audience after he was sworn-in as
California’s 39th Governor in Sacramento, Calif. on Jan. 3.
Brown has warned school officials to expect deep reductions
as the state struggles with a $28 billion two-year deficit.
—Anne Chadwick Williams/AP
.
Also see:
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Online learning in 2011

On 01/04/2011, in budgets, education technology, expectations, game-changing environment, K-12 related, online learning, student-related, virtual K-12 schools, by Daniel Christian

Online learning in 2011 — from examiner.com by Julie Marciel-Rozzi

From DSC:
Excerpts that caught my eye:

2010 saw the North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) become the second largest in the country, second only to Florida’s Virtual Public School program. Many North Carolina school districts are finding it more economical and efficient to pay the NCVPS rate of $600/per student per class rather than hiring teachers for courses that fall outside the standard curriculum but remain crucial to providing NC students with a quality, well-rounded education.

NCVPS will continue to grow in 2011 as NC school districts deal with a new round of budget cuts, and a increasingly diverse and demanding student population that expects all schools to offer high quality courses in a variety of subjects.

Educational applications for smartphones like the BlackBerry and Apple’s iPhone (and associated products) will continue to grow in number and variety. Look for more foreign language apps, more apps aimed at all ages (especially younger users), and more apps aimed at learning specific skills “in time”. Learning available when you need it.

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One site’s views on “Top Education Trends for 2011”

On 01/03/2011, in budgets, business side of he, education, future of higher education, game-changing environment, higher education, K-12 related, mobile learning, by Daniel Christian

One site’s views on “Top Education Trends for 2011”

Excerpt:

Colleges and universities will confront historic challenges and opportunities in 2011. While budget shortfalls continue to take their toll, new technologies are posing revolutionary solutions. Economic pressures and digital learning tools should ultimately herald good news in 2011, as higher education evolves into a more relevant and accessible experience for all students.

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What goes up…must come down. A paper re: the costs of obtaining a degree in higher education, by Daniel S. Christian

On 12/22/2010, in accreditation, budgets, business side of he, changing business models, cost of getting a degree, dangers of the status quo, Daniel S. Christian, future of higher education, game-changing environment, leadership, New "Amazon.com" of Higher Education, new business models, strategy, traditional / tradition, United States, by Daniel Christian

What goes up...must come down -- by Daniel S. Christian

Abstract
A perfect storm has been building within higher education. Numerous, powerful forces have been converging that either already are or soon will be impacting the way higher education is offered and experienced. This paper focuses on one of those forces – the increasing price tag of obtaining a degree within higher education.  It will seek to show that what goes up…must come down.  Some less expensive alternatives are already here today; but the most significant changes and market “corrections” appear to be right around the corner. That is, higher education is a bubble about to burst.

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Enrollment in online courses increases at the highest rate ever

On 11/22/2010, in budgets, business side of he, changing business models, game-changing environment, leadership, online learning, strategy, by Daniel Christian

Enrollment in online courses increases at the highest rate ever — from The Chronicle by Travis Kaya

Despite predictions that the growth of online education would begin to level off, colleges reported the highest-ever annual increase in online enrollment—more than 21 percent—last year, according to a report on an annual survey of 2,600 higher-education institutions from the Sloan Consortium and the Babson Survey Research Group.

In fall 2009, colleges—including public, nonprofit private, and for-profit private institutions—reported that one million more students were enrolled in at least one Web-based course, bringing the total number of online students to 5.6 million. That unexpected increase—which topped the previous year’s 17-percent rise—may have been helped by higher demand for education in a rocky economy and an uptick in the number of colleges adopting online courses.

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The Pivot to Digital Learning: 40 Predictions

On 11/19/2010, in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, assessment, blended learning, budgets, change, digital learning, education technology, emerging technologies, game-changing environment, hybrid learning, K-12 related, learner profiles, learning agents, online learning, open courseware and systems, simulations, trends, Virtual Reality (VR) / worlds / learning, by Daniel Christian

The Pivot to Digital Learning: 40 Predictions — from Tom Vander Ark, Partner, Revolution Learning — via EdNet Insights

From DSC:
That posting includes predictions for changes that we’ll see in the next 1, 5 and 10 years…with some excerpts below:

3. Lingering budget woes will cause several districts and charter networks, particularly in California, to flip to a blended model, with a shift to online or computer-based instruction for a portion of the day to boost learning and operating productivity.

9. The instant feedback from content-embedded assessment, especially learning games, simulations, virtual environments, and MMOs (massively multiplayer online games), will be widely used in formal and informal learning and will build persistence and time on task.

10. Adaptive content will result in more time on task (in some cases, two times the productive learning time over the course of a year), and better targeted learning experiences will boost achievement, particularly among low-income and minority students.

11. Comprehensive learner profiles will gather keystroke data from learning platforms, content-embedded applications, as well as after-school, summer school, tutoring, and test prep providers. Students and families will manage privacy using Facebook-like profiles.

12. Most learning platforms will feature a smart recommendation engine, like iTunes Genius, that will build recommended learning playlists for students.

18. All U.S. students will have access to online courses for Advanced Placement, high-level STEM courses, and any foreign language (this should happen next year, but it will take us five years to get out of our own way).

23. Second-generation online learning will replace courseware with adaptive components in a digital content library (objects, lessons, units, and sequences).

27. Most high school students will do most of their learning online and will attend a blended school.

28. More than one-third of all learning professionals will be in roles that do not exist today; more than 10% will be in organizations that do not exist today.

29. The higher ed funding bubble will burst, and free and low-cost higher education alternatives will displace a significant portion of third tier higher education (emphasis DSC).

37. There will be several DIY High options—online high schools with an engaging and intuitive merit badge sequence that will allow students to take ownership of and direct their own learning. They will still benefit from adult assessment, guidance, and mentorship but in a more student-directed fashion.

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Navigating the “new normal”

On 11/16/2010, in budgets, business side of he, colleges, community colleges, cost of getting a degree, economics, future of higher education, game-changing environment, leadership, legislatures / government / legal, New "Amazon.com" of Higher Education, new business models, strategy, universities, by Daniel Christian

Navigating the "New Normal" -- from the Lumina Foundation

— resource from StraighterLine.com’s blog

.

CONCLUSION: THE IMPERATIVE FOR CHANGE
After centuries of excellence and decades of cyclical recessions, higher education has developed some bad habits. When facing budget shortfalls, colleges and universities have not always adequately addressed underlying cost drivers and have instead pursued short-term solutions. Today, the need for fundamental changes is inescapable. The demand for highly skilled workers is unavoidable, the economic effects of a better-educated nation unequivocal—the United States needs more college-educated workers than ever.

A half century ago, higher education helped transform America’s World War II fighting force into a powerful labor force. In unpredicted and unprecedented ways, colleges and universities expanded and met the challenge of educating millions of returning GIs. They responded with heart and innovation. Today, higher education faces another challenge. The road ahead can become a deep plunge into a fiscal morass, a financing disaster that results in severely limited opportunity — or it can become an invigorating time of innovation, strategic cutting and reinvestment, with a laser focus on student completion. Through your leadership, we can work together to reinvent higher education and ensure continued progress toward the Big Goal.

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