Author: IBL News

Frontline Systems, a developer of Solver prescriptive analytics tool based in Incline Village, Nevada, has launched Solver.Academy, an Open edX-based online learning platform.

This educational portal offers self-pace courses in data mining and predictive analytics, Monte Carlo simulation and risk analysis, and mathematical optimization.

These courses, available now by invitation only, are divided into six weekly sections and include video lectures, quizzes and a mid-term and a final exam, where learners will build and solve real models to pass. Certificates for course completion are part of the platform.

Bibblio, a platform which provides course recommendations, has developed the Bibblio XBlock with Proversity educational consultant.

“This XBlock will allow the wider Open edX community to easily start suggesting the best of their own content to learners as they explore their offering,” Proversity said on its blog.

The XBlock lets learners discover educational content within the course. Under a “related content” banner, learners are able to consume any kind of media to supplement their learning; video, audio, documents, PDFs, or websites.

The software uses auto-generated metadata and machine learning to display relevant recommendations in real-time.

This Wednesday at Austin’s SWSW EDU conference, the CEO of edX, Anant Agarwal, suggested that U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos should tie federal financial aid to new credentials in education such as MicroMasters and professional certificates rather than traditional on-campus degrees. “Put the money in the hands of the students, and we will start seeing a huge change,” said Dr. Agarwal.

While conducting a panel with Dr. Agarwal, consultant Ben Wallerstein, and Strada Education Network’s manager David Clayton, Secretary DeVos asked participants what technological breakthroughs would be implemented to advance education in the U.S.

“We don’t need a technology breakthrough, we need a policy breakthrough. Technology is already there,” answered Dr. Agarwal, recommending an update to financial aid process, focusing on unbundling and modular education, which he strongly advocates.

“Would you come to Congress to explain this?”, replied Secretary DeVos. All of the panelists agree on the idea of moving faster in education by implementing technological innovations.

• EdScoop: Education secretary urges SXSW EDU audience to “rethink higher education”
• EdSurge: Betsy DeVos: “What Students Really Need Won’t Originate in Washington”
• The Daily Dot: Betsy DeVos addresses education inequality during SXSW panel

Coursera has announced its first fully online bachelor’s degree, targeting both students who are pursuing their first degree as well as those who already have a Bachelor’s. It is a 3-4 year Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, developed by the University of London. The program will cost approximately $13,300 to $23,500, depending on the student’s geographic location.

Coursera plans to offer 20 online degrees by 2019, becoming a kind of OPM (Online Program Manager) who helps colleges build online degree programs.  “We are realizing that the vast reach of MOOCs makes them a powerful gateway to degrees,” Coursera CEO Jeff Maggioncalda said.

With 30 million users, Coursera offers masters programs from institutions including HEC Paris, Arizona State University, Imperial College London, University of Michigan, and the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (this one priced at $22,000).

Meanwhile, edX.org offers, in collaboration with Georgia Tech, an online Master’s in analytics, which costs $6,600.

• Coursera Blog: 6 New Degrees Coming to Coursera in Computer Science, Data Science, and Public Health

edX.org has implemented some improvements for learners during the month of February:

• Course pages now include visible progress indicators. Green check marks appear in the navigation bar when a learner completes a unit.
• Resume course button on the Course page. This allows the learner to return to the last completed unit, instead of the last visited unit.
• More intuitive “Files & Uploads” page. Now it features a drag-and-drop space for file uploads along with numerous filtering options, including audio, images, and documents.
• Notes tool available on a tab, with the possibility to easily enable this feature.
• Mobile 2.1.3 version of Android and iOS has been released. This version will allow users to download all of the course videos at a time.

March 2018: Open edX Product Update

“The future will demand self-directed lifelong learning from a significant portion of the workforce. Current data suggests workers could have 12 jobs in their lifetimes,” writes in The Hill Anne Trumbore, Senior Director of Wharton Online at the University of Pennsylvania.

“The idea that they will have access to in-person, on-campus education to prepare for even one out of every five of these job changes is absurd. There will be more demand for post-baccalaureate training and education, and it will have to be delivered online.”

Anne Trumbore advocates for the design of learner-centric courses and continuous engagement with content in a variety of activities.  “Students develop deep understandings through multiple, low-stakes assignments that encourage application and promote mastery.”

• The Hill: Future economy demands workers who can learn online

edX has partnered with Microsoft and General Electric to provide Massachusetts residents with subsidized online courses and guaranteed job interviews, The Harvard Crimson writes.

For six months, starting on May 1, Microsoft will cover tuition on the edX´s introductory Computer Science Professional Certificate course. In addition, the company will offer 500 coupons in any Microsoft-developed course.

“By providing students and Massachusetts citizens with the necessary skills to bridge gaps in the tech industry, it helps them open new opportunities and be successful in their careers,” Chris Roy, a senior director at Microsoft, said.

GE will offer an interview for either an internship or full-time position to any Massachusetts resident who completes and passes edX’s MicroMasters programs in Supply Chain Management, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, or Artificial Intelligence.