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Some items re: MIT’s bold move to deliver more open, interactive education to the masses

On 12/20/2011, in cost of getting a degree, engineering, game-changing environment, higher education, innovation, interactivity, new business models, online learning, open courseware and systems, science, by Daniel Christian

MIT launches online learning initiative –from MIT
‘MITx’ will offer courses online and make online learning tools freely available.

Excerpt:

MIT [on 12/19/11] announced the launch of an online learning initiative internally called “MITx.” MITx will offer a portfolio of MIT courses through an online interactive learning platform that will:

  • organize and present course material to enable students to learn at their own pace
  • feature interactivity, online laboratories and student-to-student communication
  • allow for the individual assessment of any student’s work and allow students who demonstrate their mastery of subjects to earn a certificate of completion awarded by MITx
  • operate on an open-source, scalable software infrastructure in order to make it continuously improving and readily available to other educational institutions.

Advancing the open front — from InsideHigherEd.com by Steve Kolowich

Excerpt:

Forget free content repositories; the Massachusetts Institute of Technology wants to deliver “interactive” elite education to the masses, complete with credentials certifying “mastery” of MIT-grade coursework.

In the latest boon for the “open education” movement, the engineering mecca on Monday announced a new online learning initiative, called MITx, that will give anyone the opportunity to work through MIT course material and earn a certificate of achievement.

M.I.T. expands its free online courses — from the New York Times by Tamar Lewin

Excerpt:

While students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology pay thousands of dollars for courses, the university will announce a new program on Monday allowing anyone anywhere to take M.I.T. courses online free of charge — and for the first time earn official certificates for demonstrating mastery of the subjects taught.

…

M.I.T. led the way to an era of online learning 10 years ago by posting course materials from almost all its classes. Its free OpenCourseWare now includes nearly 2,100 courses and has been used by more than 100 million people.

But the new “M.I.T.x” interactive online learning platform will go further, giving students access to online laboratories, self-assessments and student-to-student discussions.

 

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Khan Academy teaming up with Renren to bring free online education to China

On 12/15/2011, in disruption, new business models, online learning, open courseware and systems, by Daniel Christian

Khan Academy teaming up with Renren to bring free online education to China

Also see:

khan.56.com -- Khan Academy to offer free online courses to China

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YouTube for Schools

On 12/14/2011, in collaboration, digital learning, digital video, Google, innovation, open courseware and systems, professional development, student teaching/teacher education, student-related, teachers, by Daniel Christian

YouTube for Schools

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IRRODL Special Issue – Emergent Learning, Connections, Design for Learning

On 11/28/2011, in distance education, online learning, open courseware and systems, research, teaching & learning, by Daniel Christian

Page Header

 

Vol 12, No 7 (2011): Special Issue – Emergent Learning, Connections, Design for Learning

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Free software models how humans move [Stanford]

On 11/01/2011, in animation, biology, computer science, open courseware and systems, research, by Daniel Christian

Free software models how humans move -- from Stanford

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Best idea for higher ed since about 2002 [Davidson]

On 10/24/2011, in content development, aggregation, repositories, higher education, innovation, open courseware and systems, research, society, by Daniel Christian

Best idea for higher ed since about 2002  —  from HASTAC.org by Cathy Davidson

Excerpt:

I just learned about an amazing project (still in Beta) sponsored by the Australian Eight, the eight largest national universities in the country,  called “The Conversation.”  It may well be the most inspiring collaborative project I’ve heard about since about, oh, 2002-2003 (ie I’m joking of course–2002-2003 happens to be when HASTAC went from an “aha!” moment around a conference table to our first actual meeting as a collective; there are tons of other great ideas in higher ed, inc HASTAC’s founding!).   The Conversation translates the best scholarly research into lively journalism.   It makes a giant step towards public intellectualism, taking HASTAC-ish principles of an online network of education innovators learning together in a public and open forum, to their logical (if highly curated) conclusion. Unlike HASTAC, the Conversation’ has a team of professional editors, quite renowned in their collective experience.  They curate and select the best research from many fields produced by specialized academics and recasts it as journalism for the larger public as well as for academics in other fields.   They turn specialized scholarly research written originally for academic experts and peers into accessible, interesting, urgent, and sometimes even delightful fun and creative information for the public at large.

 

Also see:

The Conversation   BETA

Academic rigour, journalistic flair

Addendum later on 10/24/11:

  • Here’s an even BIGGER Idea for Higher Ed! —  from HASTAC.org by Cathy Davidson
    Well, after blogging and tweeting yesterday about the tremendous public aggregator of university research in Australia, an online publication called The Conversation, I heard today from lots of people that there is an even BIGGER version already here in the U.S.—and it includes top research from the U.S., UK, Canada and Australia too.  It’s called “Futurity,” and it is wonderful, and, yes, I should have known about it since Duke is one of the universities that cofounded  it, along with Rochester and Stanford.  But somehow I missed it so now take this opportunity to say how fabulous it is (check it out, it really is fabulous), and how now we have to make sure that HASTAC gets involved to make sure there is even more arts and humanities aggregated as part of its “Society and Culture” category.  Here’s the url for Futurity:  http://www.futurity.org/
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When the dam breaks… [Item on open access journals by Steve Wheeler]

On 10/18/2011, in budgets, communities of practice, open courseware and systems, publishing, research, writing, by Daniel Christian

When the dam breaks… — from learning with ‘e’s by Steve Wheeler

Excerpt:

Publication of research is one of the most important facets of academic life. I can’t stress enough how important it is for good research to be as widely and swiftly disseminated as possible. Without it, our practice is less likely to be informed, and more prone to repeated errors. As a researcher myself, I take this challenge very seriously. Along with other educational researchers, I attempt to identify key issues for investigation and then spend considerable time and energy examining as much of the terrain that surrounds my research question as I can. Once I have analysed the data, I am usually able to arrive at some conclusions and write some form of report, which is likely to include a set of recommendations that I hope will benefit my community of practice. Such findings should be published widely to inform the entire community. This is the way it should be. And yet often, sadly, it just doesn’t happen.

From DSC:
Steve, I was unsuccessful in leaving a comment on your posting here…but I celebrate your walking the talk on this and for pushing the envelop on the proliferation of open access journals. And thanks for making some recommendations in your reports — for taking some stances. I was greatly disappointed in my ID Master’s Program to find how few scholarly articles took any sort of stand and asserted much of anything to move their communities of practice forward.

 

 

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Hmmm…I wonder if Apple’s building “The Walmart of Education” that I’ve been talking about…? Potential pieces continue to be implemented.

On 10/11/2011, in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, Apple, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, corporate universities / corporate training, cost of getting a degree, dangers of the status quo, Daniel S. Christian, digital learning, digital textbooks, disruption, distance education, e-books, e-publishing related items (EPUB and more), e-readers, education technology, educational games / serious games, elearning, emerging technologies, future, future of higher education, game-changing environment, global / globalization, higher education, intelligent systems, intelligent tutoring, interactivity, Learning from the Living [Class] Room, learning spaces, MBA, mirroring and/or multiple devices, mobile learning, mobile technologies, multi-touch, multimedia, New "Amazon.com" of Higher Education, online learning, online media, open courseware and systems, personalized/customized learning, vision/possibilities, by Daniel Christian

Apple University will train executives to think like Steve Jobs — from good.is by Liz Dwyer

Excerpt:

If you want to honor Steve Jobs’ life by following in his entrepreneurial footsteps, forget heading to business school. The Los Angeles Times reports that an Apple team has been working on a top-secret project to create an executive training program called Apple University. The goal? To train people to think like Steve Jobs.

…

Apple refused to comment on the existence of Apple University, but the Times says that in 2008, Jobs “personally recruited” Joel Podolny, the dean of Yale Business School, to “help Apple internalize the thoughts of its visionary founder to prepare for the day when he’s not around anymore.” Apple analyst Tim Bajarin told the Times that, “it became pretty clear that Apple needed a set of educational materials so that Apple employees could learn to think and make decisions as if they were Steve Jobs.” Though the curriculum is still under wraps, Jobs himself oversaw the creation of the “university-caliber courses.” (emphasis DSC)

 Also see:

 

Steve Jobs’ virtual DNA to be fostered in Apple University: To survive its late founder, Apple and Steve Jobs planned a training program in which company executives will be taught to think like him, in “a forum to impart that DNA to future generations.” Key to this effort is Joel Podolny, former Yale Business School dean. Photo: Steve Jobs helped plan Apple University — an executive training program to help Apple carry on without him. Credit: Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times

Steve Jobs helped plan Apple University — an executive training program to help
Apple carry on without him. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times / October 6, 2011)

From DSC:
If Apple were to choose to disrupt higher education, several other pieces of the puzzle have already been built and/or continue to be enhanced:

  • Siri — a serious start towards the use of intelligent agents / intelligent tutoring
  • An infrastructure to support 24x7x365 access and synchronization of content/assignments/files to a student’s various devices — via iCloud (available today via iTunes 10.5)
  • iTunes U already has millions of downloads and contains content from some of the world’s top universities
  • The internal expertise and teams to create incredibly-rich, interactive, multimedia-based, personalized, customized educational content
  • Students — like employees in the workplace — are looking for information/training/learning on demand — when they need it and on whatever device they need it
  • Apple — or other 3rd parties — could assist publishers in creating cloud-based apps (formerly called textbooks) to download to students’/professors’ devices as well as to the Chalkboards of the Future
  • The iPad continues to be implemented in a variety of education settings, allowing for some seriously interactive, mobile-based learning

 

 

 

 

At the least, I might be losing a bit more sleep if I were heading up an MBA program or a business school…

 

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Abelard to Apple: The Fate of American Colleges and Universities [DeMillo]

On 09/02/2011, in 21st century, change, changing business models, dangers of the status quo, Daniel S. Christian, future of higher education, game-changing environment, innovation, new business models, open courseware and systems, reinvent, staying relevant, by Daniel Christian

Abelard to Apple: The Fate of American Colleges and Universities by Richard A. DeMillo

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Stanford University is offering Computer Science courses online, free to anyone [Eddy]

On 08/29/2011, in 24x7x365 access, Australia, computer science, Daniel S. Christian, disruption, engineering, higher education, innovation, internet, machine-to-machine communications, MOOCs -- Massive Open Online Courses, New "Amazon.com" of Higher Education, online learning, open courseware and systems, robotics, strategy, trends, United States, vision/possibilities, by Daniel Christian

Stanford University is offering Computer Science courses online, free to anyone — from geekosystem.com by Max Eddy

 

Introduction to databases -- free online course from Stanford for fall 2011

A bold experiment in distributed education, “Introduction to Databases” will be offered free and online to students worldwide during the fall of 2011. Students will have access to lecture videos, receive regular feedback on progress, and receive answers to questions. When you successfully complete this class, you will also receive a statement of accomplishment. Taught by Professor Jennifer Widom, the curriculum draws from Stanford’s popular Introduction to Databases course. A topics list and many of the materials are available here. More information about the Stanford course can be perused here. Details on the public offering will be available by late September. Sign up below to receive additional information about participating in the online version when it becomes available.

Also see the video at:
Introduction to Databases class by Stanford University

 

Machine learning course -- free, online course from Stanford this fall

A bold experiment in distributed education, “Machine Learning” will be offered free and online to students worldwide during the fall of 2011. Students will have access to lecture videos, lecture notes, receive regular feedback on progress, and receive answers to questions. When you successfully complete the class, you will also receive a statement of accomplishment. Taught by Professor Andrew Ng, the curriculum draws from Stanford’s popular Machine Learning course. A syllabus and more information is available here. Sign up below to receive additional information about participating in the online version when it becomes available.

Also see the video at:
Machine Learning: About the class

 

From DSC:
Again, my question is…if these trends continue, what opportunities are presenting themselves? What threats are presenting themselves?  What is our response?  How will colleges/universities differentiate themselves in this developing landscape? If items like the below continue to grow…how do we respond?

 

thegreatcourses.com -- professors

 

Addendum later on 8/29/11:

 

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The impact of new business models for higher education on student financing [Canada’s Daniel & Uvali-Trumbi]

On 08/26/2011, in budgets, business side of he, Canada, cost of getting a degree, dangers of the status quo, Daniel S. Christian, disruption, education technology, elearning, funding / grants, future of higher education, game-changing environment, global / globalization, Learning from the Living [Class] Room, New "Amazon.com" of Higher Education, new business models, online learning, open courseware and systems, society, UK, by Daniel Christian

The impact of new business models for higher education on student financing

Financing Higher Education in Developing Countries
Think Tank | Bellagio Conference Centre | 8-12 August 2011

Sir John Daniel (Commonwealth of Learning)
&
Stamenka Uvali-Trumbi (UNESCO)

Excerpt:

The aim of this paper has been to suggest that in discussing student financing we need to look beyond the current standard model classroom teaching to the likely developments in learning systems over the next decade. These have the potential to cut costs dramatically and thereby lessen the challenge of student financing.

That is fortunate because nearly one-third of the world’s population (29.3%) is under 15. Today there are 165 million people enrolled in tertiary education.[2] Projections suggest that that participation will peak at 263 million in 2025.[3] Accommodating the additional 98 million students would require more than four major campus universities (30,000 students) to open every week for the next fifteen years unless alternative models emerge. (emphasis DSC)

Also see:

OER for beginners: An introduction to sharing learning resources openly in healthcare education
The Higher Education Academy (HEA) (www.heacademy.ac.uk) and the Joint information Systems Committee (JISC) (www.jisc.ac.uk) are working in partnership to develop the HEFCE-funded Open Educational Resources (OER) programme, supporting UK higher education institutions in sharing their teaching and learning resources freely online across the world.

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Khan Academy integrates with digital textbooks [Kessler]

On 08/22/2011, in digital textbooks, e-books, e-publishing related items (EPUB and more), new business models, online learning, online media, open courseware and systems, publishing, by Daniel Christian

Khan Academy integrates with digital textbooks — from Mashable.com by Sarah Kessler

Excerpt:

E-textbook maker Kno announced Monday that it will integrate thousands of tutorial videos from Khan Academy into its books.

 

Also see:

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The State of Digital Education [Knewton.com; various sources]

On 08/18/2011, in analytics, blended learning, change, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, content development, aggregation, repositories, dangers of the status quo, Daniel S. Christian, digital learning, digital textbooks, disruption, e-books, e-publishing related items (EPUB and more), education technology, educational games / serious games, elearning, game-changing environment, hybrid learning, mobile learning, online learning, open courseware and systems, personalized/customized learning, publishing, trends, vendors, by Daniel Christian

The State of Digital Education -- from Knewton.com and Ambient Insight in August 2011

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Free Learning: Essays on open educational resources and copyright [Downes]

On 08/17/2011, in Canada, copyright/ownership/NFTs, global / globalization, love of learning, open courseware and systems, society, by Daniel Christian

Free Learning: Essays on open educational resources and copyright — by Stephen Downes | National Research Council Canada

From DSC:
Thanks Stephen for this collection of essays, postings, resources, materials.

After reading the first several sections, I feel compelled to add here that I have not accepted any money for my Learning Ecosystems blog; the work I do on this blog is given freely (and this is often very appropriate…as I often curate content from many other sources).

I don’t know if I’ll be able to continue to do this, but I have chosen to post those items that I believe are going to be helpful to others and/or further a conversation or idea or perspective — but have done so free of charge.  I have not been paid to post anything on this Learning Ecosystems blog. 

Anyway, thanks again Stephen for your work and for your worthy goals.

 

 

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10 Transformative Technology Trends for 2011-2012 [globalintelligence.com]

On 08/07/2011, in 21st century, A/V -- audio/visual, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, computer science, convergence, emerging technologies, future, game-changing environment, multimedia, open courseware and systems, technologies for your home, technology (general), telecommunications, television, trends, by Daniel Christian

10 Transformative Technology Trends for 2011-2012 [ ]

Excerpt:

The momentum has been building for several exciting emerging technology trends. While television content is increasingly available and delivered over the web, living room devices are becoming more inter-connected to create a more coherent user experience. GIA identifies and summarizes 10 key developments that drive market-shifting changes throughout the technology, media and telecommunications ecosystems.

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