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

Edsurge

MARCH 1, 2017

Jahliel Thurman (Vice President of Uplift Entertainment) and Shalon Bell (Director of Strategic Alliances at the Atlanta Voice)—will discuss how despite limited monetary capital, these institutions continue to boost students’ potential in graduate education, entrepreneurship and advocacy through human capital. Higher Ed 9:30 a.m.

MOOC 60

MOOC EdTech OER Kaplan 60

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.

Pearson 145

Pearson MOOC Company Software 145

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

Hack Education

OCTOBER 7, 2016

Online Education (The Once and Future “MOOC”). ” “Aftermath of the MOOC wars: Can commercial vendors support creative higher education ? It’s always fascinating to look at ed-tech companies’ job postings – this one is from Khan Academy. Raise $146.1 Data, Privacy, and Surveillance.

Education 63

Education MOOC Report Khan Academy 63

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

APRIL 13, 2018

Online Education (and the Once and Future “MOOC”). “ 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.

Education 44

Education Facebook Edmodo Pearson 44