Author: IBL News

IBL News | New York

This month, Coursera (NYSE: COUR) announced three new master’s programs showing that it is betting on degrees as an important revenue source for its growth.

The three new distance learning programs are:

• Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics from the Queen Mary University of London. Applications are expected to open in May 2022.

• Master of Engineering in Engineering Management from the University of Colorado, Boulder. This degree features performance-based admissions, with no application or transcripts required. Passing a pathway Specialization will lead to acceptance into the program. This is the third degree from CU Boulder offered on Coursera. Enrollments are expected to open in August 2022.

• Master of Science in Cyber Security from the University of London. This is the third degree with academic direction from Royal Holloway on the Coursera platform. Applications are expected to open in June 2022.

Overall, the admission details of these programs will be available in the spring.

“These new programs from leading universities in the US and UK will equip learners across the globe with skills in rapidly growing areas including data analytics, cyber security, and business management,” said Betty Vandenbosch, Chief Content Officer at Coursera. “They will help students accelerate their careers in our digital economy,” she added.

With these additions, Coursera now offers 37 degrees from 19 global universities.

A study from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) showed that a master’s degree in business leads to a 51% average increase in earnings in the US compared to a bachelor’s degree.

IBL News | New York

Private investment firm Veritas Capital announced yesterday the acquisition of learning technology firm Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company (Nasdaq: HMHC) for $2.8 billion. The purchase price per share of $21 in cash represents a 36% premium to the company’s unaffected share price as of January 13, 2022 ($20.88).

“We are at an important inflection point, and the time is right to move into the next phase of our long-term growth strategy,” said Jack Lynch, President and Chief Executive Officer of HMH, who will continue to lead the company along with the current management team.

The agreement was unanimously approved by HMH’s Board of Directors. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2022.

Boston-based Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) is a leading provider of K–12 schools and educators, claiming to serve more than 50 million students and four million educators in 150 countries.

IBL News | New York

San Mateo, California – based Engageli announced this month the launch of version 2.0 of its learning platform.

This release allows instructors to teach directly from a web browser while learners can join a session via a browser or a native iOS app, said Dan Avida, Co-Founder and CEO. Its new reporting identifies students at-risk.

IBL News | New York

Canadian LMS platform D2L Brightspace (Desire to Learn) will integrate within its learning ecosystem the Zoom-based Class.com solution in the first quarter of 2022.

Both companies did the announcement last week, highlighting, “D2L and Class Join Forces to Provide Comprehensive Digital Learning Built on the Zoom Platform.” No further transactional details of the deal were released.

Class.com, powered by Washington DC-based Class Technologies Inc, adds teaching functionalities on its Zoom platform. These features include automating attendance, measuring student engagement, quizzes, and polls.

D2L Brightspace already has 1,800 integrations. John Baker, President and CEO of D2L, said that its existing Zoom partnership would extend with the Class.com platform, supporting educators and learners “new ways of engaging in synchronous learning.”

Michael Chasen, Founder and CEO of Class, stated: “D2L Brightspace’s ability to manage and deliver content such as lectures, videos, assignments and assessments ‘on-demand’, in conjunction with Class’ engaging real-time virtual sessions, allows learners to receive the best learning experience.”

“We are excited to see our partners delivering not only closer interoperability between the three platforms, but also a seamless buying experience for our joint clients,” said Christy Flis, Head of Global Education at Zoom.

IBL News | New York

Anthology, which includes Blackboard LMS, announced this week a free and open to the public series of monthly virtual roundtable events under the title of the Policy and Practice Summit. Leading education experts will discuss critical policy issues in this event.

Hosted by Anthology’s hub Center for Advancing Learning, this summit will address policy and potential legislation linked to the Center’s five areas of focus: accessibility and inclusivity; community colleges; Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs); the global advancement of digital education; and alternatives to the Online Program Management (OPM) model.

“The Center for Advancing Learning will take a principal position in facilitating these critical conversations with the ultimate goal of supporting student and institutional success,” said Dr. Darcy Hardy, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Anthology and the Center’s Director.

The first roundtable, set for February 15, will examine how digital accessibility drives inclusion and the steps institutions can take to create a more accessible digital campus. Panelists will also explore the evolution of federal regulatory policy and ways lawmakers and regulators can set the course toward more inclusive digital learning environments.

This inaugural event will include these featured speakers and discussants:

Bree Callahan — Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator, University of Washington

Sam Johnston — Director of Postsecondary Education and Workforce Development, CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology)

Kyle Shachmut — Assistant Director of Digital Accessibility Services, Harvard University

Sean Keegan — Director, Stanford Online Accessibility Program, Stanford University

More upcoming events will be:

• March 30 – Community Colleges
• April 18 – Historically Black Colleges and Universities
• May – Global Advancement of Digital Education
• June 22 – Alternatives to Online Program Management

• Register to attend Website

IBL News | New York

Fifteen universities, along with the non-profit National Humanities Center (NHC) and financial support from Google, will launch courses in Responsible AI technologies.

The goal is to “help students comprehend the myriad ways AI technologies are integrated into modern life and to think through the ethical issues involved in developing and deploying them,” according to Research Triangle Park, North Carolina-based NHC.

Participating institutions will include leading public and private research universities, liberal arts colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic Serving Institutions from across the United States. They are:

Google’s gift amount for the “Responsible AI” program was not disclosed by NHC.
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IBL News | New York

Duolingo language learning app figured out a way to take advantage of the phenomenon of TikTok, which has over a billion monthly active users.

Duolingo has drawn 2.9 million followers to its TikTok account by creating amusing videos featuring the company mascot — an owl obsessed with the music performer Dua Lipa. In other videos, Duolingo features company staffers to promote its brand.

Overall, the Pittsburgh-based company has reached over 55 million likes, demonstrating its ability to use short videos to promote its brand.

In September 2021, Duolingo had 50,000 followers. Its strategy of featuring wacky videos using the company’s green owl mascot has resulted in an effective social strategy.
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@duolingo

We don’t talk about Duo… #Duolingo #encanto #disneytok comedy #trend #DuaLipa #Dualingo #dulapeep

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@duolingo

We don’t talk about Duo… #Duolingo #encanto #disneytok comedy #trend #DuaLipa #Dualingo #dulapeep

♬ –