Iterating Toward Openness

OCTOBER 30, 2017

There was a lot of discussion at OpenEd17 about the relationship between OER and value-added services like platforms. Both the wider internet and the narrower education space are filled with companies and organizations that provide value-added services around openly licensed software and content. The first has to do with capacity.

OER 60

OER LMS Learning Moodle 60

Iterating Toward Openness

NOVEMBER 13, 2017

[Back in 2012 – 2013] I was impressed (like many others I’m sure) with how Wiley was able to frame the cost-savings argument around open textbooks to build broader interest for OERs. I fear it is OER wanting it both ways. The question we must each ask ourselves is – what is the real goal of our OER advocacy?

Accessibility 62

Accessibility OER Pearson MOOC 62

Iterating Toward Openness

APRIL 25, 2019

I spend most of my time doing fairly tactical thinking and working focused on moving OER adoption forward in the US higher education space. In this vision of the world, OER replace traditionally copyrighted, expensive textbooks for all primary, secondary, and post-secondary courses. My end goal isn’t to increase OER adoption.

OER 73

OER Course Company Smartphone 73

Hack Education

APRIL 13, 2018

“ Can a For-Profit, Venture-Backed Company Keep OER Free – and Be Financially Sustainable? Edsurge’s coverage of Top Hat’s OER news is also in the Betteridge’s Law section above. The company sells a tablet for use in prison. ” asks Edsurge. ” asks Edsurge. ” asks Edsurge.

Education 44

Education Facebook Edmodo OER 44

Hack Education

DECEMBER 30, 2019

Without revenue the company will go away. Or the company will have to start charging for the software. Or it will raise a bunch of venture capital to support its “free” offering for a while, and then the company will get acquired and the product will go away. And “free” doesn’t last. Wedge Tailed Green Pigeon.

Pearson 145

Pearson MOOC Company Software 145

Hack Education

NOVEMBER 2, 2018

News from the most well-funded ed-tech company, student loan provider SoFi : SoFi settles w/ FTC over allegations it misrepresented how much borrowers save by refinancing. Via The Chronicle of Higher Education : “Economic Boom Isn’t Helping Some Student-Loan Debtors , Advocacy Group Says.” ” LOL, they do?!

Education 53

Education Company Report IXL Learning 53

Hack Education

JUNE 10, 2016

the Virginia company at the heart of the operation.” Here’s the EdWeek headline: “ Company Exec. for Ed-Tech Company Testifies in Ala. ” Gee, good thing no one else in ed-tech is in the business of selling these sorts of connections between companies and politicians and schools! ” Ugh.

Education 48

Education MOOC Company Report 48