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StraighterLine Partners with Acadeum to Offer College Course Sharing

Online postsecondary course company StraighterLine has partnered with course sharing provider Acadeum to provide access to more than 250 of StraighterLine's accredited on-demand college courses, making them available to students whose institutions don't offer them.

2U Partners with 6 Universities to Offer 50 New Online Degrees

To keep up with growing demand for its "flex" degree partnership model, 2U, owner of the edX learning platform, has signed agreements with six universities to offer 50 new degree programs, to follow other degree contracts set to begin in 2024.

edX and Jobs for the Future Offer Free MicroBachelors Programs

Learning platform edX and Jobs for the Future (JFF), with funding from the Charles Koch Foundation, have announced the no-cost edX MicroBachelors Program Pathway Initiative for adults who wish to earn a bachelor's degree through the MicroBachelors program.

The Campus Computing Project Founder to Launch New Study on AI, Virtual Classrooms

How will artificial intelligence, next-generation virtual classrooms, and other emerging technologies impact the future of higher education? A new research project from The Campus Computing Project founder Casey Green will examine "the potential for these technologies to significantly transform teaching, learning, and instruction in academic and instructional environments," according to an announcement released at the Educause Annual Conference.

Zoom One for Education Launches with Unified Communications, Licensing for Universities

Zoom has globally launched its new Zoom One for Education plan, offering a unified communications and collaboration licensing option designed specifically for education organizations, according to a news release.

Southwest Texas Junior College Increases Online Courses and Certificates

Southwest Texas Junior College, a community college serving a large 11-county area, announced it has partnered with instructional design firm iDesign to create new online courses and certificates in STEM, the humanities, social sciences, and more.

Educause 2023 Students and Tech Report Emphasizes Choice and Accessibility

Educause recently released its "2023 Students and Technology Report: Flexibility, Choice, and Equity in the Student Experience," which looks at findings in three key areas: how to support students living on- and off-campus, how students shape their higher education based on market pressures, and how accessibility impacts student education choices.

Why It's Time to Examine Institutional Strategy for a Multi-Modal Future

Among the core themes of the recently released Changing Landscape of Online Education report is that growing student demand for online and hybrid learning is moving higher education toward a multi-modal future. We spoke with Dr. Bethany Simunich, co-director of the CHLOE Project, about key takeaways from the CHLOE 8 survey and why institutions that aren't examining their online strategy may be putting themselves at a competitive disadvantage.

Instructure Offers Platform Innovations in 4 Areas to Assist Teaching and Learning

Instructure announced several enhancements to its Canvas learning platform at its annual conference in July. The new capabilities serve teaching/learning, analytics, lifelong learning, and platform integration, the company said.

University of Texas and Coursera Expand Free Microcredential Program for Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni

The University of Texas (UT) system and Coursera have partnered to offer an expanded, free microcredential program to any UT students, educators, staff, and alumni interested in obtaining microcredential certificates to help prepare them for new workforce demands.

Evidence in Motion Brings Hybrid Accelerated Doctoral Programs to Southern California University of Health Sciences

Healthcare hybrid learning company Evidence in Motion (EIM) has partnered with Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) to offer three hybrid accelerated doctoral programs starting in 2024.

Instructure Chooses Partners for Its Open, Interoperable Ecosystem of Solutions

CT talks with Instructure's VP of Global Strategy Ryan Lufkin to learn how his company leverages partnerships in an evolving global marketplace.

Anthology Introduces AI-Enabled Course Building and Student Success Features in Blackboard Learn

At its annual Anthology Together 2023 conference, Anthology introduced new features and products in Blackboard Learn, along with two new Intelligent Experiences. The company also announced it has adopted Microsoft's Azure Open AI to power its spectrum of higher education ed tech solutions.

7 Questions on Engaging Faculty in Digital Accessibility

We asked the Technical College System of Georgia's accessibility champions how they help instructors create a more inclusive learning experience for all students.

Preparing for the Classrooms and Workplaces of the Future: Generative AI in edX

Here, we ask Anant Agarwal for his perspectives on the impacts of generative AI in higher education environments and what edX is doing to help lead the way in the productive use of innovative new tools based on the technology.

Offering Online Students a Front Row Learning Experience

At some point in our academic careers, most of us have found ourselves stuck in the back of an overcrowded lecture hall. Too far from the presenter to see or hear much of anything, it wasn't long before we lost interest, started on other work, or took a nap. Anyone sitting in those first few rows may have been enlightened and inspired, but for the rest of us, the class was less than productive. Higher education has set out to change that.

New Educause Resource Offers Multimodal Learning Strategies

Higher education IT association Educause has released a new resource to help educators and IT leaders navigate changing learning modalities and better serve student needs. Part of the association's Showcase Series, "Online, In-Person, or Hybrid? Yes" pulls together reports, lessons learned, and other materials that align with the corresponding Top 10 IT Issue for 2023.

Open LMS Integrates Skills Assessment Tools

Open source learning management system provider Open LMS has announced a partnership with Ease Learning to incorporate the latter's Skillways skills assessment tools into the Open LMS platform. The integration will provide instructors with access to performance metrics such as heatmaps of cohort progress and individual learners' levels of skill mastery.

Duke Adopts Canvas LMS, Credentials, and More to Power Lifelong Learning

Duke University is investing in Instructure's learning ecosystem, including Canvas LMS, Impact, Canvas Studio, and Canvas Credentials, to support learning experiences not just for current students and faculty, but also lifelong learners.

D2L Brightspace Community Updates Streamline Access to Resources, Networking

Learning technology company D2L recently announced a redesign of its Brightspace Community, a repository of resources, networking, and collaboration tools for Brightspace clients, partners, users, and developers.

Airtame Launches 'Share to Call' to Enable Hassle-Free Screen-Sharing

Screen-sharing technology provider Airtame has released a new feature, Share to Call, on its hybrid conferencing platform to make screen sharing easy, the company said in a release. With Share to Call, anyone can instantly share their screen in a Zoom or Microsoft Teams call from their personal device without having to go through a lengthy process.

There Is No Going Back: College Students Want a Live, Remote Option for In-Person Classes

Based on a survey of college students over the last three semesters, students understand that remotely attending a lecture via remote synchronous technology is less effective for them than attending in person, but they highly value the flexibility of this option of attending when they need it.

Open LMS Partners with AI Detector to Combat Plagiarism

In the increasing climate of AI-generated content, educators are expressing growing concerns about plagiarized work from students and how to recognize it. Open LMS, a provider of Moodle-based open source learning management system platforms, has teamed up with AI detection company Copyleaks to help tackle this problem.

LG's New Ultra-Wide ProBeam 4K Laser Projector Offers Up to 285-Inch Image

Amid a growing demand for ultra-wide conferencing projection and new virtual presentation apps with multiple live views, LG Business Solutions USA has introduced a new 4K UHD laser projector with 21:9 aspect ratio support offering “maximum visibility,” according to a news release.

Moodle Partners with Copyleaks to Detect AI Content, Interspersed Human/AI Content, and Plagiarism

Open source learning management system Moodle has formed a partnership with AI content and plagiarism detector Copyleaks. With thousands of education institutions using Moodle's LMS, custom development, and learning design services, and the explosive use of AI-generated content, Moodle said in a release that feedback from its clients cemented its move to incorporate an AI detection tool.

Mesa Community College Revamps Classroom Audio for Remote Learning

Arizona's Mesa Community College is renovating its classroom audio systems with a variety of solutions from conferencing, collaboration, and streaming technology provider ClearOne. The goal: to "enhance the flexibility and quality of remote learning experiences" for the institution's 20,000 students, according to a news announcement.

Coursera Adds ChatGPT-Powered Learning Tools

At its 11th annual conference in 2023, educational company Coursera announced it is adding ChatGPT-powered interactive ed tech tools to its learning platform, including a generative AI coach for students and an AI course-building tool for teachers.

Class to Release ChatGPT-Powered A.I. Teaching Assistant

Class Technologies has announced plans for a beta release of A.I. Teaching Assistant, a ChatGPT-powered tool designed to improve learner engagement and outcomes in live online courses.

OpenAI-Based Instructional Design Generator Nolej AI Now Available for Educators with Free Trial

A French generative AI ed tech startup called Nolej (pronounced “knowledge”) has made publicly available its new OpenAI-based instructional content generator for educators, called Nolej AI, ahead of its official introduction at BETT in London planned for Thursday, March 30, and its scheduled commercial debut at the ASU+GSV Summit on April 19, the company's chairman told Campus Technology.

Pepperdine U Joins EdX Partner Network, Plans to Launch First MicroMasters Program

Through a new partnership with online learning platform edX, Pepperdine University plans to launch its first MicroMasters master's degree program, available later this year. The new program will offer a flexible pathway to completing a master's degree through career-relevant, skill-based introductory courses.

9 Tips for Success as an Instructional Designer

These best practices from the Learning Design and Technology program at the University of San Diego will help practitioners create the best possible learning experience for students and develop a rewarding career in instructional design.

D2L Announces New Tools for Creativity, Improved UX

Global learning technology company D2L, maker of the Brightspace LMS, has updated and added new features to its product suite. The updates include tools to promote creativity, improve the user experience, and strengthen the learning ecosystem, the company said.

University of Texas at Austin Offers Online Master's Degree in AI with EdX

Through its partnership with edX, an online degree and digital course content company, the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) will launch a fully online Master of Science degree in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI).

AVer Intros All-in-One Camera with AI Audio for Classrooms

AVer USA, a provider of video collaboration and education technology solutions, has introduced a new all-in-one camera with AI audio built for education, called the A30​, combining a document camera, web camera, microphone, and speaker.

Gonzaga, Springboard Launch Cybersecurity, Software Engineering 'Bootcamp' Programs, Focusing on Career Prep

Springboard, an online learning platform that emphasizes mentor-student relationships, today unveiled a new partnership with Gonzaga University to deliver two online “bootcamps” to learners aiming for careers in cybersecurity and software engineering.

14 Technology Predictions for Higher Education in 2023

How will technologies and practices like artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, digital transformation, and change management impact colleges and universities this year? Here's what the experts told us.

WCET Survey: 6 Things Students Want to Know Before Enrolling in Digital Courses

Students who want to enroll in digital courses are finding that not enough information is provided ahead of time in order for them to be successful, a 2022 WCET (WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies) partnership survey found.

D2L: Education at Its Core Is Innately Human

CT asks D2L President Stephen Laster to comment on critical issues for education, on the technologies and practices that can help make a difference, and on the projects he's found most rewarding and productive.

UC Davis Launching MOOCs and Professional Certificate on EdX

The University of California, Davis, which offers massive open online courses on several other online learning platforms, has now also partnered with edX to launch a suite of free MOOCs, along with a professional certificate program in search engine optimization.

VE/COIL Transformation Lab Moves to AAC&U

The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) and the American Council on Education (ACE) have transitioned the Virtual Exchange/Collaborative Online International Learning (VE/COIL) Transformation Lab from ACE to AAC&U.

Instructure Acquires Ed Tech Evaluation Company LearnPlatform

Instructure has acquired LearnPlatform, an ed tech company that provides real-time, evidence-based data on the effectiveness of digital ed programs chosen by universities and K–12 schools.

Promethean Acquires Digital Whiteboard App Explain Everything

Interactive display maker Promethean has acquired the digital whiteboard platform Explain Everything, which allows users to create lessons, activities, and interactive presentations on any mobile device.

Georgetown Launches Bachelor's Completion Program on Coursera

Georgetown University's School of Continuing Studies has partnered with Coursera to offer a new pathway to degree completion for adult learners.

Texas Tech University to Pilot Statewide Online Diploma Completion Program

Texas Tech University is launching a one-year pilot program to help students in the state complete their diplomas or earn a GED. The program is in partnership with TTU K–12, a fully online school district operated by Texas Tech, and is being made possible by a $1.8 million grant from the United States Department of Education and the Texas Workforce Commission.

D2L Brightspace Creator+ Package Enables Digital Course Creation with No Coding Experience Required

Learning technology company D2L has launched its Brightspace Creator+ package, allowing anyone to create digital courses without having to learn coding.

2U Introduces edX Boot Camps

Online learning company 2U has moved its boot camp offerings to the edX brand with the introduction of edX Boot Camps, intensive technology training programs designed to meet the upskilling and reskilling needs of working adults.

ASU Thunderbird Taps Canvas LMS to Power 100 Million Learners Initiative

Arizona State University's Thunderbird School of Global Management has partnered with ed tech company Instructure to provide its Canvas learning platform to the Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Global Learners Initiative through 2030.

Google Partners with 4 Universities to Offer First-Ever Specializations to Complement Its Career Certificates

Google announced it is partnering with Columbia University, the University of Michigan, Arizona State University, and the University of Illinois' Gies College of Business to offer new industry specializations in growing fields to complement its Google Career Certificates.

Serving Adult Learners with Flexibility, Stackable Credentials, and Data

As a predominately online institution geared toward serving adult students, University of Massachusetts Global is rethinking traditional models of education to embrace the flexibility and career relevance that working learners need. We spoke with Dr. David Andrews, chancellor of UMass Global, about developing a new credentialing ecosystem, listening to student and industry needs, and the data infrastructure that can really support student success.

16 Actions to Achieve a Hybrid Future

A new report from Educause offers a concrete plan of action to move colleges and universities toward the future of hybrid learning.

Student Preference for Online Learning Up 220% Since Pre-Pandemic

According to a recent Educause survey, the number of students expressing preferences for courses that are mostly or completely online has increased 220% since the onset of the pandemic, from 9% in 2020 (before March 11) to 29% in 2022.

Inside the Development of HBCUv, a New Online Learning Platform for HBCUs

The United Negro College Fund and Deloitte Digital have embarked on an ambitious effort to reimagine online education for historically Black colleges and universities. Here's how they're leveraging technology to put community at the center of the online HBCU experience.

Howard U, National Education Equity Lab Expand Access to College-Level Algebra for Underserved High School Students

Howard University and the nonprofit National Education Equity Lab have announced they are expanding a program that allows high school students in historically underserved communities to take college Algebra in their high school classrooms and earn college credit at no cost.

Coursera Survey: Student and Employer Demand for Microcredentials Is High

According to a global survey from Coursera, employers and students alike see value in microcredentials that document job-relevant skills and experience.

ClassIn Brings Combo CMS, LMS Platform to the U.S.

Virtual and hybrid learning company ClassIn is entering the United States education market this fall, hoping to attract educators’ attention with its integrated content management and learning management systems. The platform is used by more than 60,000 K–12 and higher education institutions in 160 countries.

Moodle Learning Platform Integrates Text-to-Speech Tools

Students using the Moodle open source learning management platform can now listen to learning content in more than 50 languages, thanks to a new integration with digital voice and text-to-speech tool ReadSpeaker.

Tips for Engaging a Remote Workforce

As flexible work policies become the norm, institutions must rethink their approach to employee engagement and workforce culture. Here's how Southern New Hampshire University is building a remote-first workplace centered on the employee experience.  

BYU Streamlines Online Education Workflows for Admin, Staff, Mentors, and Students

Brigham Young University's BYU-Pathway Worldwide online education program has partnered with Anthology to roll out two of the company's six cloud-based ed tech platforms, creating a central hub for administrators, staff, mentors, and its 60,000 learners worldwide.

Stakeholder Input Drives Northern Arizona University LMS Transition

After a 10-month evaluation of LMS platforms that gathered extensive input from students, faculty and staff, Northern Arizona University is moving to Instructure's Canvas learning management system.

Hybrid, Whatever that Means, Will Dominate the Future of Online Learning

In a recent survey, nearly all higher education chief online officers expected online learning of some kind to be a part of the typical student experience within the next three years. While survey respondents did not necessarily agree on how much online would become the norm, it's clear that hybrid models are favored to dominate instruction by 2025.

Learning Management Systems Are Getting Smarter

CT asks D2L CEO John Baker how today's LMS is getting smarter, and about the opportunities AI, machine learning, predictive analytics, and related technologies are presenting in the LMS marketplace.

2U Updates Partnership Model with Stackable Revenue Share Options

2U, parent company of online learning platform edX, has revamped its partnership model, moving from a one-size-fits-all offering to a variety of revenue-sharing options that enable universities to select stackable bundles of technology and services to meet their needs.

San Joaquin Valley College Gamifies Learning Support

San Joaquin Valley College, a private for-profit institution focused on career training, has created a new resource for online students that gamifies co-curricular learning outcomes to help boost student success.

Meta's First EdX Courses Provide Skills for Building the Metaverse

EdX has launched two Spark Augmented Reality courses from Meta, developed as part of the online learning platform's partnership with Meta Immersive Learning. The goal: to "build a learning ecosystem for the metaverse and give professionals broader access to the tools and education needed to build a career in augmented reality."

U Central Missouri Upgrades Classrooms with AI- and AR-Enabled Tech for Hybrid Learning

The University of Central Missouri is updating its classrooms with new AV technologies that use artificial intelligence and augmented reality to capture more engaging, flexible presentations and better serve the needs of hybrid learning.

Putting Community Engagement at the Center of Online Learning

What would a learning management system centered on culture and community look like? The United Negro College Fund hopes to answer that question with HBCUv, a new learning platform that aims to reshape the future of online education for historically Black colleges and universities. We spoke with Ed Smith-Lewis, VP of strategic partnerships and institutional programs at UNCF, and Nathan Young, head of strategy for Ethos at Deloitte Digital, about bringing the HBCU experience to an online environment, the defining characteristics of HBCUv and the equity-centered design process behind their work.

Nearly Half of Students Want Hybrid Classes, While Majority of Faculty Still Prefer Face-to-Face

Flexibility remains a key priority for students pursuing higher education, according to a new "College 2030" report from Barnes & Noble College Insights, the research arm of Barnes & Noble Education.

New Gradescope Mobile App Allows Students to Submit Coursework Via Smartphone

Turnitin has launched a new mobile app for its Gradescope assignment and grading platform that enables students to submit their assignments through any connected smartphone, the company announced this week, following a limited-access pilot in April.

Supporting Students and Faculty in the New Normal

As classrooms evolve to accommodate the flexibility and innovation of new learning models, it's important to provide ample training and resources for all constituents. Here are three key areas to consider.

What Southern New Hampshire University Does to Engage a Remote Workforce

Southern New Hampshire University is well known for innovation in online learning, but prior to the pandemic, the institution had less than 100 employees working remotely, and had only just begun building out its remote work policies. In March 2020, the abrupt shift to fully remote work required a new approach to employee engagement. We spoke with Jennifer LaFountain, director of employee experience at SNHU, about how the institution is developing a culture that allows employees to feel connected no matter where they are located.

Optoma Intros Microsoft-Powered, Cloud-Based Remote Management Solution for Displays

Display manufacturer Optoma has introduced a cloud-based version of its Optoma Management Suite that is powered by Microsoft Azure and offers streamlined, real-time monitoring, diagnosing and controlling of connected audiovisual displays via a single platform.

Class Technologies Partners with Open LMS

Class Technologies, maker of the learning platform that adds teaching and learning tools to Zoom, has announced a partnership with Open LMS, commercial provider of the open source Moodle learning management system.

Google Unveils Slate of New Features and Integrations for Chromebooks, Classroom and Meet

Google has introduced a slate of new apps for Chromebooks — including a new free Screencast app and a free Figma design app — as well as new functions in Google Classroom and Google Meet, and the company announced integrations with popular ed tech apps that will launch later this year.

Jenzabar Releases Campus Marketplace Solution to Support Evolving Business Models of Higher Ed

HIgher education technology company Jenzabar has introduced Campus Marketplace, a new platform that allows institutions to unbundle their courses from degree programs and make them available to both enrolled and unenrolled students through a branded online storefront.

The Future of Higher Education Is the Hybrid Campus

Blending the best of face-to-face instruction with the flexibility of online learning can enhance the higher ed experience for all types of learners, lower the cost of a degree and better prepare students for the workforce.

Class to Acquire Blackboard Collaborate

Synchronous online learning platform Class Technologies recently announced a definitive agreement to acquire Anthology's Blackboard Collaborate virtual classroom tool.

How an Escape Room Is Building Students' Digital Skills at Northampton Community College

Northampton Community College recently won an Instructional Technology Council award recognizing its Smart Apartment Learning Lab: a combination escape room and technology sandbox in which students can learn about the tech we take for granted in our everyday lives. We spoke with Beth Ritter-Guth, associate dean of online learning and educational technology at the college, to find out how the Learning Lab is engaging students, building digital literacy and providing valuable training in the job skills of the future.

Survey: More Community College Students Want Access to Online Courses

A growing number of community college students want online courses going forward, according to a new report from Bay View Analytics.

4 Online Tactics to Improve Blended Learning

An accounting professor shares how best practices from online pedagogy have helped her create a blended learning environment that supports student success.

Pima CC Repurposes LMS as Innovative Conference Management Platform

Pima Community College in Arizona is stretching the capabilities of its D2L Brightspace learning platform, turning the technology into a conference management solution for its annual PimaOnline Educators' Conference.

14 Equity Considerations for Ed Tech

Is the education technology in your online course equitable and inclusive of all learners? Here are key equity questions to ask when considering the pedagogical experience of an e-learning tool.

New Coursera Career Academy Helps Institutions Upskill Their Learners

Online learning platform Coursera has introduced Career Academy, an offering that allows institutions to bundle self-paced online courses and career resources to help students gain in-demand skills for the workforce.

10 Institutions Developing EdX Courses in Essential Human Skills for the Virtual Age

Following through on a pledge made at the close of its acquisition by 2U, edX is awarding $1 million in grants to 10 institutions to develop free online courses in "Essential Human Skills for the Virtual Age."

SUNY Signs Systemwide Deal with D2L

The State University of New York is partnering with D2L to make the company's Brightspace learning management system available to its full network of campuses.

University of Michigan Launching XR-Enhanced Courses on Coursera

The University of Michigan has partnered with Coursera to launch 10 new courses that will use extended reality to provide immersive experiences in critical job skills.

Pearson Acquires Mondly Language Learning Platform

Pearson has announced the acquisition of language-learning platform Mondly, providing a path for Pearson to add self-study to its line of instructional and assessment solutions, according to a news release.

Trends to Watch in 2022: Takeaways from the Horizon Report

One of the takeaways from this year’s Educause Horizon Report is that there’s likely no such thing as a return to normal: Many of the changes that higher education has undergone over the past couple of years are here to stay. To delve into the details of what’s on the horizon for higher ed in 2022, we spoke with Kathe Pelletier, director of Educause’s Teaching and Learning Program and co-author of the report.

New CT Leadership Summit: Building a Digital Transformation Strategy

In this free, one-day event, education and IT leaders will offer ideas and best practices based on expertise and research in the field, to help inform your digital transformation strategy.

10 Institutions Opening 'Metaversity' Campuses

This fall, students at 10 colleges and universities across the United States will be able to take courses on a "metaversity" campus, an exact virtual replica of their institution's physical campus.

Instructure Acquires Concentric Sky, Adds Badges to Learning Platform

Instructure has announced the acquisition of Concentric Sky, maker of the Badgr digital credentialing platform.

Zoom Rolls Out New Features for Education

Zoom has introduced several new features for education users of its Chat and Meetings functions, fulfilling the most popular requests from teachers and administrators on its platform, the company announced today.

Champlain College Using InSpace Collaboration Platform to Enhance Online Learning Experiences

Vermont's Champlain College is expanding the use of InSpace, a video collaboration tool, in its online learning division.

Cypher Learning Adds Intelligent Features for Skill Development

Cypher Learning, maker of learning platforms for K-20 institutions, corporate training and online education entrepreneurs, has introduced new AI-infused features for improving skill development.

U Arizona History Profs Turn Gaming into Credit-Bearing Learning Activity

Two professors of history at the University of Arizona have created a learning experience based on "Age of Empires IV," a real-time strategy video game about medieval warfare and civilization-building.

From Instructional Design to Learning Experience Design: Understanding the Whole Student

These days, we hear a lot about the "new normal" in higher education. Remote and hybrid learning is here to stay, offering students more flexibility in their learning journeys. But what if the new normal is not enough? We spoke to Mark Milliron, senior vice president of Western Governors University and executive dean of the Teachers College, and Kim Round, academic programs director and associate dean of the Teachers College, about their vision for reimagining education and why learning experience design is essential to student success.

Faculty Usage of Digital Course Materials Falls Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels

While many colleges and universities turned to digital course materials to serve the needs of remote learners during the pandemic, faculty usage of e-textbooks and other digital content has decreased now that classes have resumed in-person instruction, according to the latest "Faculty Watch" survey from the National Association of College Stores.

CUNY Investing $8M in Online Education Initiative

The City University of New York is launching CUNY Online, a new online education initiative tasked with producing high-quality online courses and programs and building online degree capacity across the institution.

What Is Learning Loss in the Wake of the Pandemic?

CT talks with Ellen Wagner to learn about approaches to defining, measuring, and mitigating learning loss.

Coursera, Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream Offer Tuition-Free Skills Training

Online learning platform Coursera and the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD), a think tank focused on advancing economic and social mobility for all, have partnered to launch The American Dream Academy, a new program that will provide free job skills training to up to 200,000 underserved learners in the United States.

Building a Culture of Innovation

Digital transformation is not just about implementing new technologies — it's also about people and the ability to embrace change. In fact, you might say that's the hardest part: Culture is often cited as one of the biggest barriers to digital transformation in higher ed. In February, our Campus Technology Leadership Summit tackled that very topic with a panel discussion on building innovation into the culture of a university. Here's that conversation.

UNCF Building Shared Online Education Platform for HBCUs, with Focus on Culture and Community

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) has announced plans to build a new online learning platform for historically Black colleges and universities, dubbed HBCUv.

D2L Brightspace Update Adds Video Tools, Collaboration Features

Education technology company D2L has introduced a number of tools and enhancements for its Brightspace learning management system designed to boost collaboration and learning.

Polytechnic-Focused Dixie State University to Offer Technology Skills Training to All Students, Faculty and Staff

Dixie State University in Utah has partnered with technology workforce development company Pluralsight to help boost students’ technology-based skills.

SAS Virtual Learning Portal Offers Students Free Training in Analytics Skills

Analytics software provider SAS has launched a new program offering analytics skills training for higher education students.

Engageli Update Offers Browser-Based Teaching, Improved Tools

Virtual teaching and learning company Engageli has launched version 2.0 of its platform, introducing a browser-based interface for instructors (in addition to the existing native application for Windows and macOS) as well as a spate of new features for learning.

D2L and Class Integration Offers Solution for Blended and Hybrid Learning

Education technology company D2L has announced an integration with Class Technologies, maker of online learning software built on the Zoom platform.

10 Basics that Students Want from the LMS, and How to Help Faculty Implement Them

At Ohio State University, students developed a list of 10 ways that instructors can use the learning management system more effectively — common-sense guidelines that aim to make courses more consistent, predictable, easier to navigate and generally more student-friendly.

SANS Institute Launches Cybersecurity Scholarships for HBCU Students

Cybersecurity training and certification provider SANS Institute has launched the SANS + HBCU Cyber Academy, a cybersecurity scholarship and education opportunity for students and alumni of historically Black colleges and universities across the country.

Canadian Research and Education Network Taps BlueJeans Videoconferencing for Hybrid Learning

Canada's National Research and Education Network, an ultra-high-speed network connecting researchers and educators across the country's 13 provinces and territories, has selected videoconferencing solution BlueJeans by Verizon to support hybrid learning.

Report: Top Uses of Video in Teaching and Learning

In a recent survey, a whopping 97% of education professionals agreed that video is essential to students' academic experience.

Survey: Cheating Concerns in Online Courses Have Eased

College instructors have changed their attitudes toward academic integrity in online courses, according to a new report from Wiley.

San Diego State U Creates Cybersecurity Certificate Program

California's San Diego State University has launched the SDSU Cyber Tech Academy, a suite of online cybersecurity certificates designed for security professionals and those seeking to move into cybersecurity careers.

7 Keys to Building Equity in Digital Learning

A new report from Every Learner Everywhere, produced in collaboration with Tyton Partners and the Association for Public and Land-grant Universities, offers strategies for investing in digital learning infrastructure while bridging equity gaps to better serve under-represented students.

Data-Informed Learning Design and the Shift to Online

The pandemic has been a testament to the progress that has been made in the use of technology to support online learning, but it has also revealed how poorly traditional course design translates to a digital experience. And that’s an opportunity for institutions to become more sophisticated in leveraging digital learning environments to go beyond what’s possible in a brick-and-mortar classroom. That’s according to Luyen Chou, chief learning officer at 2U. Here, we talk about transforming online pedagogy, the potential of emerging technologies, the beauty of simple data, essential human skills and more.

New Texthelp Tool Adds Accessibility Functions to PDF Files

Texthelp, a provider of literacy and accessibility technology, has introduced a new web app called OrbitNote that adds accessibility features to PDFs, including the ability to type, highlight and leave voice memos on documents, the company said in a news announcement.

New CT Leadership Summit Offers Digital Transformation Resources

In this free, one-day event, education and IT leaders will offer practical insights and advice to help your institution navigate the many facets of digital transformation.

Enrollment, Absences, Lack of Engagement Top Challenges During COVID

It's no surprise that enrollment has been a pain point for colleges and universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent D2L survey of 171 higher education leaders across North America, 30% of respondents confirmed that enrollment was an area where they've seen the greatest drop-off for students over the past two years.

Survey: 78% of Workers Who Leave Their Jobs Turn to Online Learning to Reskill

A new survey from Cengage Group examined why workers quit, what opportunities they are exploring next and what they are doing to achieve those goals.

James Madison Adopts Online Commons

James Madison University has embedded a digital commons in its website, to better support students in continuing education programs. The institution has adopted software from InScribe, which sets up Q&A communities in online destinations where people already congregate, such as the learning management system.

Colorado State U Launches Roadblock-Free Online Pre-Req Program

Colorado State University System's online learning campus, CSU Global, has introduced a structure to woo hesitant returning students who don't want the hassle of designated term or semester start dates or having to submit transcripts before they're accepted.

Community College Students Want More Flexibility, Technology in Their Courses

When asked about their preferences for a post-pandemic academic experience, most community college students in a recent survey said they want to take some courses in a fully online format, and many desired a combination of in-person and online instruction.

"I Started College During a Global Pandemic"

A new book shares new students' reflections on college during COVID.

14 Predictions for Higher Education in 2022

IT leaders, faculty and a student offer a variety of perspectives on the future for their campuses in the new year.

Crowdsourced Document Tracks Institutions' COVID Strategies for 2022

With the Omicron variant spreading rapidly across the United States, colleges and universities face a familiar dilemma: Will COVID force a pivot to online when classes begin in the new year? A new project kicked off by futurist Bryan Alexander aims to crowdsource the answer to that question in a shared Google spreadsheet.

Greenville Technical College to Implement Full Anthology Suite

Anthology, a provider of higher education software to support the entire learner lifecycle, recently announced that Greenville Technical College has selected Anthology as the backbone of a campuswide systems overhaul and will implement the company's full suite of tools to better support student journeys and overall institutional effectiveness, according to a news release.

Nureva Intros Hyflex/Hybrid Classroom Solution

Audio conferencing company Nureva has launched a new classroom solution that integrates audio, video, device management and services.

OLC Working with Instructure to Enrich Teacher Training Resources, Expand Access to Equitable Digital Learning

The Online Learning Consortium has announced a multi-year partnership with Instructure to collaborate on research projects and work together through Instructure's Canvas learning management system to enrich teacher training resources and expand access to equitable digital learning.

Despite Online Challenges, Faculty Optimistic About Future of STEM Education

Seventy-three percent of STEM faculty in a recent survey had to shift from face-to-face to remote learning in fall 2020, experiencing a multitude of barriers to teaching STEM courses online. Yet most survey respondents remain optimistic about the future of STEM postsecondary education, according to a new report from the Online Learning Consortium and Bay View Analytics.

Class Adds New Virtual Teaching Tools

Class, software that adds teaching and learning tools to the Zoom meeting platform, has introduced a number of new and updated features designed to improve the virtual and hybrid user experience.

2U Completes Acquisition of EdX, Announces New Programs

The merger of 2U and edX announced in June is now complete. Combined, the companies now serve more than 230 partners and offer 3,500-plus online learning opportunities to more than 40 million learners, spanning free courses, executive education, boot camps, and undergraduate and graduate degree programs, according to a news announcement.

U Illinois Gies College of Business Develops Microcredential Pathways with Google

The University of Illinois Gies College of Business is partnering with Google to bundle certificate programs in job-ready skills and create microcredential pathways for adult learners.

Planning for the Classroom of the Future

The right combination of technology and training will ensure your learning spaces can adapt to ever-changing modes of instruction. Here are key considerations for future-proofing classrooms, supporting faculty and surviving the next pandemic.

UNLV Adds Dozens of Hyflex Classrooms

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas has introduced a number of hyflex classrooms, capable of accommodating students attending in person and online.

Georgia State Adds Graduate Certificate Program in Trustworthy AI Systems

Georgia State University recently launched a Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence Systems graduate certificate program.

Instructure to Buy Data Integration Company

The maker of learning management system Canvas, Instructure, has entered into a deal to acquire Kimono, which produces software for cloud-based data integration and interoperability.

BlueJeans Adds Remote Learning Features

Verizon Business has announced a number of new features for its BlueJeans Meetings product, designed to support hybrid and remote learning.

3 Strategies for Better Meetings

As the format of your meetings evolves, make sure you have engagement and flexibility, advises Joseph Allen, University of Utah professor and co-author of the books Suddenly Virtual and Suddenly Hybrid.

Ellucian, D2L Expand Partnership for Easier Integration

In order to provide a more streamlined experience across their platforms, Ellucian and D2L have announced an expanded partnership focused on ease of integration.

Zoom Tackles Problem of Low Bandwidth for Faculty

Zoom has introduced several new features specifically useful to educators.

Digital Promise Launches Digital Learning Research Network

Digital Promise has launched SEERNet, a five-year program that's intended to inspire research on digital learning at scale in both higher education and K-12.

New Cengage Product Embeds Course Materials into Learning Management System

Ed tech company Cengage has launched a new product that integrates digital course materials into an institution's learning management system.

Anthology-Blackboard Merger Complete

The merger of Anthology and Blackboard announced last month is now complete, answering a few questions about how the combined companies will move forward.

Embracing Innovation, Technology and Culture Change for the Sake of Access

The pandemic accelerated digital transformation and the adoption of new learning models at many colleges and universities — but higher ed culture has some catching up to do. While institutions traditionally measure change in decades, we're now in a time when flexibility, innovation and risk-taking are key to student access and opportunity as well as institutional survival. We spoke with Dr. Mark Lombardi, president of Maryville University, about why the business model of higher ed is broken, the importance of lifelong learning and technology's role in moving universities toward a better future.

Remote Access Software Enables Online Lab Work

Keysight Technologies has introduced PathWave Lab Operation for Remote Learning, a remote access solution designed for online learning that enables the remote setup of instrument labs.

Instructure Updates Canvas LMS with Improvements to Discussions, Studio and More

During Instructure's latest user conference, the company introduced new functionality in Canvas, its learning management platform, and reminded the Canvas community that the year has brought many updates to its other products as well.

Report: Most Learners Have Found They Like Online Learning

A new survey from Wiley Education Services has found that online learning "gained traction" in the pandemic.

New CT Leadership Summit: Innovation in IT

In this one-day event, education and IT leaders will share how they are planning for the unexpected, identifying efficiencies and utilizing technology to help their institutions excel in these challenging times.

Worries and Financial Pressure Major Disruptors of College Plans

Over a third of Americans changed their plans for education as a result of the pandemic, with Black and Latinx students more likely to do so than White students, according to newly released data from Strada and Heart+Mind Strategies.

UCLA Extension Debuts Immersive Online Certificate Programs

UCLA Extension, the continuing education division of the University of California, Los Angeles, is introducing 11 fully online certificate programs that immerse students in the same resources and collaboration opportunities as the school's in-person classes.

Academic Partnerships Acquires Curriculum Mapping Software

Online program management company Academic Partnerships has acquired Coursetune, a maker of curriculum mapping software that provides visualization tools for curriculum and course design.

Anthology and Blackboard Merging to Create Massive Ed Tech Ecosystem

Anthology and Blackboard have announced a merger, pairing the former's enterprise software for enrollment management, student engagement, alumni fundraising and institutional effectiveness with the latter's learning management software, communication tools and student success solutions.

Survey: Accessibility Challenges Persist as Hybrid and Online Learning Continues

With fully online or hybrid course formats still very much in play at colleges and universities around the world, accessibility issues remain a key challenge, according to a recent study.

The Future of Online Learning Is Flexible and Stackable

Over the past few years, online learning in higher education has gone through a period of disruptive change. Not only did the pandemic trigger a massive shift from in-person classes to online, but it also brought new models of hybrid learning to the forefront. And micro-credentials, programs certifying specific competencies that can stand alone or be applied toward a larger degree, have gained momentum as learners have needed to reskill and compete in an evolving workforce. To explore these trends and more, we spoke with Dr. Betty Vandenbosch, chief content officer at Coursera, about the state of online education, the future of the traditional four-year degree, and what universities should be doing to keep up with alternative credential pathways.

Survey: Adaptive Courseware Helped Improve Student Learning During Pandemic

In a fall 2020 survey of institutions piloting adaptive courseware in gateway courses, 96 percent of faculty agreed that the technology helped them improve student learning, and allowed them to better monitor student progress and hold individual students accountable for engaging in class.

Noodle Launches Lifelong Learning Platform

Online education company Noodle has introduced a new platform to help universities engage their students in lifelong learning programs.

Virtual Ed Platform Adds Integration with Canvas

InSpace, a new virtual education platform that allows students and instructors to interact online much like they would in physical spaces, has announced integration with Instructure's Canvas learning management system.

Thinking Full-Speed Ahead at Instructure's Future of Education Collaborative

Now, while we are not yet free from the COVID-19 pandemic, many institutions and technology market leaders are looking at the next big questions: What's in the future? Which of the changes we make during the pandemic should move with us into the future?

Alabama Community College System Expands Canvas Use with New Tools

The Alabama Community College System (ACCS) has signed a three-year deal with Instructure extending its use of the Canvas learning management system for 12 of its colleges.

The Science of Studying Student Learning at Scale

A team from Indiana University set out to expand the scope of pedagogical research by creating ManyClasses, a model for studying how students learn not just in a single classroom, but in a variety of different classes across multiple universities. We speak with researchers Emily Fyfe and Ben Motz about how ManyClasses works, the challenges of using a learning management system to conduct research, what they learned from the first ManyClasses experiment, and more.

New CT Leadership Summit Explores Data Practices that Drive Student Success

In this one-day event, education and IT leaders will share their insights and best practices for making meaningful use of data now and building a data strategy for the future.

Education's Hybrid Future: What We Know from Research

While hybrid learning environments show great potential in higher education, there are still pedagogical and technical challenges to overcome. Here are key guidelines for moving forward, based on research in the field.

Blackboard Partners with AWS to Enhance Virtual Classroom

Blackboard recently announced a partnership with Amazon Web Services to integrate the company's Amazon Chime SDK service into Blackboard Collaborate.

Idaho Creates Statewide Digital Campus with Course Sharing Platform

Idaho's public colleges and universities can now share their online course offerings through the state's Online Idaho initiative, an effort to expand access to higher education via a statewide digital campus.

New OLC Global Cohort to Explore Advancements in Online Learning

The Online Learning Consortium is calling for applications to participate in a new cohort that will work collaboratively to identify challenges and opportunities in online and blended learning.

2U to Acquire edX, Pledges to Continue the edX Mission

Online education company 2U has announced it will acquire edX, the online learning platform founded by Harvard and MIT, for $800 million.

How the Pandemic Changed Higher Ed's Priorities for Online Learning

When a recent survey asked higher education leaders if the pivot to remote learning during the pandemic changed their institution's priorities, the majority of respondents (53 percent) said yes.

Class Announces Widespread Availability

Class, an application built on Zoom that adds teaching and learning tools to the popular meeting platform, is now widely available across Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iPad and Android tablet devices.

How Tech Is Keeping California State University's Student Success Goals in Sight

In 2015, California State University launched Graduation Initiative 2025, an ambitious plan to increase graduation rates and eliminate equity gaps in degree completion across the system’s 23 campuses. Then halfway through that work, COVID hit — and all those student supports and services had to shift online. We find out how CSU kept students on track despite the challenges of the pandemic, the technologies and infrastructure that were needed to support students remotely, and what will remain in place going forward.

How Institutions Met Student Needs During the Pandemic

Online student support became a key issue for higher education institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their top priority: providing academic support services such as tutoring or academic advising, according to the 2021 Changing Landscape of Online Education (CHLOE) report.

E-Learning Market to Reach $1 Trillion Within 6 Years

The prevalence of distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic is helping to drive staggering growth in the worldwide e-learning market.

New Online Course Sharing Network Aims to Boost Student Success in Community Colleges

The League for Innovation in the Community College is working to expand online learning at community colleges with a new course sharing network that will allow colleges to offer more high-quality, credit-bearing online courses to their students.

Survey: What Students Want to Retain Post-Pandemic

A recent survey from Top Hat asked college students about their online learning experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and their expectations for instruction in the Fall 2021 academic term.

Concentric Sky Partnership Brings Digital Credentialing Tools to Blackboard

Blackboard has partnered with Concentric Sky, maker of the Badgr digital credentialing platform, to integrate micro-credential and stackable learning pathway tools into the Blackboard Learn learning management system.

7 Next Steps to Fine-Tune Blended Learning

Every Learner Everywhere recently released an in-depth guide to blended learning, designed to help faculty, instructional designers, technological support staff and other stakeholders in their strategic planning for blended learning courses and programs.

Workforce Trainer UpGrad Acquires Virtual Classroom Company

UpGrad, which produces online workforce courses created by university faculty, has purchased Impartus Innovations, a company that specializes in video training technology, in a £14.5 million deal.

Podcast: 2021 Teaching and Learning Trends: What the Horizon Report Means for IT

For many years, the Horizon Report has been tracking trends, technologies and key practices in teaching and learning. In this episode of the podcast, we speak with Kathe Pelletier, director of EDUCAUSE’s Teaching and Learning Program and co-author of the report, about key technology trends, their impact on IT departments, new education models and more.

Free Workshop Addresses Equity in Digital Learning

Every Learner Everywhere, a network of organizations focused on education technologies, teaching practices and support services for blended and online learning environments, is offering a free virtual workshop on the topic of equity in digital learning.

ProctorU Gets Rid of AI-Only Proctoring

ProctorU, the academic division of Meazure Learning, has announced it is discontinuing services that rely solely on artificial intelligence for exam proctoring. Instead, it will use human proctors for every test session.   

73 Percent of Students Prefer Some Courses Be Fully Online Post-Pandemic

In a recent Cengage survey, nearly three-quarters of students — 73 percent — said they would prefer to take some of their courses fully online post-pandemic. However, only half of faculty (53 percent) felt the same about teaching online.

USDA Grants to Support Distance Learning and Telemedicine

The United States Department of Agriculture is awarding grants ranging from $50,000 to $1 million to institutions supporting distance learning and telemedicine in rural communities. The deadline for this competitive grant program is June 4.

Remaining High-Touch for Graduate Students in a Contactless Pandemic

Claremont Graduate University maintains a high-contact experience for students, based on exceptional access to faculty — even during pandemic times, when many academic and administrative functions must be suddenly transformed to remote processes.

Secure Videoconferencing Platform Available Free for Virtual Graduations

Cybersecurity company StrikeForce Technologies is making its SafeVchat secure videoconferencing platform available for free to both K-12 and higher education institutions that are holding virtual or live-streamed graduation ceremonies this spring.

William & Mary Installs Virtual Classroom Tech for Hybrid Learning

To accommodate the hybrid model of remote and in-person teaching and learning, William & Mary's Raymond A. Mason School of Business has rolled out virtual classroom technology in three learning spaces on campus.

How COVID-19 Created Opportunities for Teachers and Students

There's no doubt that the pandemic caused incredible upheaval in higher education — but the positive impacts of that disruption are significant. Here's how the shift to online learning will benefit both faculty and students moving forward.

Colleges Pilot Free Online Reskilling Program

Nine colleges across the United States are piloting a technology-focused career training initiative that aims to prepare 500,000 learners for jobs of the future by 2030.

3 Tech Trends Shaping the Future of Post-Pandemic Teaching and Learning

The landscape of higher education has been transformed by COVID-19, and that impact is a major factor in the 2021 Educause Horizon Report. Here are three key technology trends to watch as the lasting effects of the pandemic play out.

Podcast: Supporting Entrepreneurship from a Distance: How Harvard’s Innovation Labs Went Virtual

When you picture a university innovation center, what comes to mind is usually a lot of hands-on collaboration and networking. But what happens when that heavily in-person experience is forced to go virtual? For this episode of the podcast, we talk with Matt Segneri, executive director of the Harvard Innovation Labs, to find out about the past year’s challenges and successes converting in-person student activities into virtual experiences that still capture that entrepreneurial vibe.

Moodle to Launch U.S. Services Company

Open source learning management system provider Moodle is acquiring three United States-based partner companies and combining them to form Moodle US, a new services company for Moodle customers in North America.

Labster Bolsters Simulations with Additional Science Learning Resources

Virtual lab company Labster has expanded its portfolio of learning resources with a variety of new offerings designed to complement its core science simulations.

Study: Gamification Techniques Can Improve Online Teaching

A new study out of MIT's Sloan School of Management explores the use of ideas and tools from the gaming community to improve online teaching and student learning outcomes.

Supporting Students Where They Are: Bentley's CIS Sandbox

Bentley University's CIS Sandbox is building on 10 years as a technology learning space.

New CT Leadership Summit: IT Security in the New Normal

Every college and university must redouble its focus on IT security in these unprecedented times. In this one-day event, education and IT leaders will share their insights, best practices and predictions for security and privacy in the post-pandemic era.

Students Complain: Too Much (Busy) Work in Online Classes

Almost three in five students (59 percent) in a recent Wiley survey complained that they are doing more assignments online than they ever did in their in-person classes, and nearly as many (55 percent) protested that much of it felt like "busy work."

Microsoft and LinkedIn Expand Global Skills Initiative

To help job seekers gain the skills they need for employment in today's economy, Microsoft and LinkedIn are extending their global skills initiative through the end of 2021, providing free LinkedIn Learning and Microsoft Learn courses as well as low-cost certifications that align to in-demand jobs.

Coursera Taps Learner Community to Grow Guided Projects

Coursera is testing a new program that lets learners develop short courses for delivery on the MOOC platform. The pilot program is currently taking contact information from people interested in creating "community guided projects."

4 Ways Institutions Can Meet Students' Connectivity and Technology Needs

Many students have struggled with reliable internet access during the pandemic, according to a new report from Educause.

15 Mistakes Instructors Have Made Teaching with Technology in the Pandemic

There's a lot that faculty have done right teaching with technology during the COVID-19 pandemic — but there have also been times when technology use has been subpar.

Udacity Adds School of Cybersecurity

Online learning platform Udacity has launched a School of Cybersecurity, a set of nanodegree programs aimed at training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

New Classroom Camera Tracks Instructors for Distance Learning

Audiovisual technology manufacturer Aver Information USA has launched a new camera for education that uses AI to “seamlessly track” instructors as they move around the classroom.

Nearly Half of Faculty Say Pandemic Changes to Teaching Are Here to Stay

In a recent survey, the majority of faculty (71 percent) reported that their teaching in Fall 2020 was "very different" or included a "number of changes" compared to pre-pandemic times. And almost half (47 percent) felt those changes would remain in place post-pandemic.

Sacred Heart Students Use VR in Coursework

Communications students studying online at Connecticut's Sacred Heart University will be doing at least some of their learning via virtual reality.

Success of Videoconferencing Could Keep a Lot of Ed Work Remote

Two-thirds of people in education expect to see a continuation of remote work post-pandemic. Sixty-five percent of respondents in education agreed that due to the success of remote collaboration, facilitated by videoconferencing, their organizations are considering a flexible remote working model, according to a survey from Zoom.

EdX and RIT Create MicroMasters Credit Pathway

Learners who complete a MicroMasters program on edX can now apply up to nine credits toward a Master of Science in Professional Studies at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Podcast: New Horizon Report Forecasts Security and Privacy Trends in Higher Ed

EDUCAUSE recently released its first Information Security Edition of the Horizon Report, profiling important trends, technologies and practices shaping the future of IT security and privacy in higher education. For this episode of the podcast, we talk with Brian Kelly, director of the cybersecurity program at EDUCAUSE, to discuss the new report, the technological trends on the horizon in IT security, how the pandemic is impacting privacy concerns, and more.

Morehouse College Creates VR Campus and Classes

Atlanta's Morehouse College is launching an immersive virtual reality experience for students in two of its courses: Biology 105 and History 112.

Moving Online Learning from Challenge to Opportunity

The future of higher education means breaking down classroom walls, embracing digital tools and engaging students with creativity and innovation.

U Louisiana Monroe Outfits Classroom for Active and Hybrid Learning

A new active learning classroom at University of Louisiana Monroe's College of Pharmacy is designed for one-on-one interaction in class as well as participation from remote students.

6 Ways COVID-19 and Social Justice Intersect in Higher Ed

Financial pressures, political unrest, health concerns — here's how the pandemic and concurrent equity challenges have impacted both institutions and their students.

Augmenting the Learning Dialogue Online

How can we move the remote learning experience farther away from a training model and closer to a collaborative learning model in which students participate together in the co-creation or discovery of knowledge? We asked Gardner Campbell for some perspectives from his research and from his own classroom.

Owl Labs Intros New Features for Hybrid Learning

Owl Labs has introduced a new suite of features for its Meeting Owl solution, designed to bring more immersive remote and hybrid capabilities to the flagship 360-degree camera, mic and speaker hardware product.

Open LMS to Go Fully Open Source by the End of 2021

Open LMS has announced plans to release all of its Moodle modules and enhancements by the end of the year, as well as dedicate more resources toward developing features and code for the open source learning management system.

Report: Majority of Students Still Think Online Courses Should Cost Less

In a recent survey from Barnes & Noble Education, the vast majority of college students (94 percent) said they think schools should charge less for online courses. In contrast, less than half of administrators and faculty (43 percent and 41 percent, respectively) believe the same.

Podcast: Ransomware, Zero Trust and the Impact of the Pandemic on Higher Ed IT Security

One unintended impact of the pandemic in higher education is the strain that remote work and learning has put on IT security. In this episode of the podcast, we talk with Stephen Heath, chief information security officer for Intrinium, an IT and security consulting and managed services company, to learn more about the security challenges institutions are facing — as well as evolving threats like ransomware.

Fall Student Experience Creating Online Converts

When it comes to interactivity among classmates, nothing beats texting. Nearly a third of students (31 percent) in a recent survey chose that over any other interaction option in online learning, including interactive whiteboards (mentioned by 29 percent), breakout rooms (18 percent), live surveys and polls (14 percent) or gamification such as badges and contests (7 percent). That's according to a survey from customer experience company Sykes.

Instructure to Leave Corporate LMS Market with Sale of Bridge

Instructure is selling the corporate side of its learning management system business for $50 million. The buyer will be Learning Technologies Group plc, a UK company with multiple businesses that produce services and technologies for digital learning and talent management.

What Students Would Give Up to Have In-Person College

What would students give up if they could head back to college in person? Seven in 10 would relinquish their AirPods for a month if it meant a month back on campus, according to a poll undertaken by Grand Canyon University.

Google Renames G Suite for Ed, Adds Pile of New Features

Google announced a pallet full of changes to its education offerings, including a renaming of its education bundle of productivity applications and a limit to free storage for schools and colleges.

Instructure Officially Adds Microsoft Immersive Reader to LMS

Instructure recently announced that it is making Immersive Reader from Microsoft freely available in its Canvas learning management system.

Southern New Hampshire U Launches Two EdX MicroBachelors

Southern New Hampshire University recently launched two credential programs with online learning platform edX.

Survey Reveals Students Struggling with Academics During Pandemic

As students adjust to the realities of college life during a pandemic, the majority (71 percent) are having trouble staying focused on their coursework, according to a fall 2020 survey.

New Guide Offers Best Practices for Digital Learning in Gateway Courses

To help academic administrators improve entry-level courses for digital learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, Every Learner Everywhere and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities have created a free guide focused on best practices for equity and student success.

Report: Students See College as a 'Bad Deal' During Pandemic

The longer the pandemic lasts, the more students question the value of a college education. A December survey by New America and Third Way found that nearly three in five college students (57 percent) agreed with the sentiment that higher education was no longer "worth the cost," a bump up from 49 percent in a previous survey in August.

Expert Network Offers Free Coaching on Equity, Inclusion and Digital Learning

Every Learner Everywhere has assembled a network of equity and digital learning experts to provide free professional coaching for higher education faculty, course coordinators, instructional designers and academic leaders across the United States.

Hybrid Model to Expand from Learning to Campus Services

The hybrid approach being taken by most colleges and universities to get through the pandemic could turn out to have the positive effect of making those schools more student-centered, not just in education but across the board. That's the takeaway in a new report by Deloitte.

Survey: Student Success Gaps Widening During Pandemic

In a recent survey focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students in introductory-level courses this past fall, faculty reported increases in DFWI rates (the number of students who receive a D or F grade, withdraw or fail to complete a course) — particularly at two-year institutions or those serving Pell-eligible students.

3 Ways to Future-Proof Your University

The COVID-19 pandemic will have a lasting impact on higher education. Here's how to weather the emerging "new normal" for the next semester and beyond.

Podcast: Trends, Predictions and Opportunities for Higher Ed in 2021

How will higher education evolve as we head into — hopefully — post-pandemic times? Is it even possible to make predictions with circumstances still in flux? In this episode of the Campus Technology Insider podcast, we talk with Richard Garrett, chief research officer at higher education research firm Eduventures, about his predictions for 2021, the impact of the pandemic on online learning and ed tech, and the opportunities he sees for higher ed in the coming year.

Brown U to Hold In-Person Commencement for Grads, Virtual Event for Guests

Rhode Island's Brown University has announced its plan to hold commencement in person for graduates while members and guests will attend virtually.

Small Maine College Asks: Do We Need a Main Campus?

Unity College in Maine, which frames itself as "America's Environmental College," has opened up debate about whether small institutions really need to have flagship campuses to survive.

New CT Leadership Summit: Innovating out of the Pandemic

Higher education's response to the pandemic has required agility, flexibility and perhaps most important, innovation. Join us Feb. 24 for this free one-day event, in which education and IT leaders will share how they are managing the challenges of remote work and learning, adapting to change and solving problems with outside-the-box ideas and practices.

Report: It's Time for 4-Year Schools to Welcome Adult Learners

The public mission of four-year colleges and universities needs to adapt to encompass adult learners, according to a new report. That's the population that may be most affected by the changes in education introduced during the pandemic — more so even than K-12 and college students, the report suggested.

San Diego State U Upgrades Microphones for Hybrid Learning

San Diego State University is outfitting nearly 200 classrooms across its main and Imperial Valley campuses with Sony's MAS-A100 beamforming ceiling microphone, to support the hybrid classroom model.

Enrollment Coaching Boosts Online Student Success at Cal State University, Bakersfield

A new initiative at California State University, Bakersfield offers prospective students dedicated enrollment coaches to help navigate the institution's online programs.

American College of Education Expands Degree Pathways with Study.com Partnership

American College of Education, an online institution specializing in education, leadership, business, healthcare and nursing programs, has partnered with Study.com to offer adult learners affordable pathways to a college degree.

Student Identity Matters — Online, Too

In higher education, we pay attention to who students are — to how they show up on our campuses and how they engage the university. But often that doesn't happen enough in online learning environments.

Maplesoft Intros Online Math Environment

Math software company Maplesoft has launched a new online learning environment for high school and college-level mathematics instruction.

Olivet Nazarene U Offers Tuition-Free Online General Ed Courses for Adult Learners

A new program out of Olivet Nazarene University's School of Graduate and Continuing Studies is using an online, asynchronous flipped model to provide adult students a pathway to earn a bachelor's degree.

U Arizona Sticks with All Campus for Online Graduate Engineering Programs

The University of Arizona College of Engineering has signed a renewal agreement with online program management provider All Campus, extending the partnership that has been in place since 2015 to support the institution's engineering master's degree programs.

Free Resources to Help with Remote Learning in 2021

If you’re looking for software and services to augment online and blended instruction this year, start here.

MOOC Enrollment Explodes in 2020

According to a new report by Class Central, a company that tracks massive open online courses, of all learners who have registered for MOOCs throughout their history, a third did so last year.

Podcast: Students Supporting Faculty in the Shift to Hybrid Learning

When Boston University launched its hybrid learning initiative this fall, it also created a Classroom Moderator program: an army of student workers deployed in the classroom to help ensure that hybrid learning could run smoothly. In this episode of the Campus Technology Insider podcast, Ernie Perez, director of educational technology for BU Digital Learning and Innovation, and Jill Beckman, executive director of Client Services, talk about how they rolled out the classroom moderator service and made it a success.

Remote Learning in the Pandemic: Lessons Learned

The shift to online learning in response to COVID-19 has revealed pedagogical benefits that will carry on into the future. 

Faculty Expect to Return to Face-to-Face Instruction for Fall 2021, but with Online Elements

The reopening of campuses post-pandemic won't necessarily spell the end to online learning, according to a recent survey from Top Hat.

Top 10 Campus Technology Stories of 2020

A look back at the most-read stories of the year in higher education IT.

Vocational School Turns to Interactive Displays for Remote Instruction

Georgia Career Institute, a vocational school with three campuses, has adopted 16 Google Jamboard interactive displays from BenQ to add interaction, engagement and better student comprehension to its remote instruction.

Preparing for the Liabilities of Reopening During COVID-19

The pandemic has put higher ed institutions at an increased risk of liability and lawsuits. Here's how to navigate the legal considerations of reopening.

Learning Technologies Group Acquires eThink Education

Learning Technologies Group, the parent company of Open LMS (formerly Moodlerooms), has acquired eThink Education. With the acquisition, eThink will be integrated into Open LMS.

2U Issues First Transparency Report

Online program manager 2U has issued its first transparency report, which shares details of its agreements with 70 universities, all public or private nonprofit institutions that are supported to some extent by state and federal funding.

Purdue Global Signs Transfer Agreements with Arizona, Maryland CCs

Purdue University Global, the institution's public online campus, is signing student transfer agreements with community colleges in states other than its own. In the last month, the Indiana-based university announced articulation agreements with Maricopa Community Colleges in Arizona and Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland.

Manor College Taps Video Platform for Hybrid Learning

Pennsylvania's Manor College is rolling out the Echo360 video platform to support the student learning experience both in the classroom and online.

LMS Companies See Boom, Bust, Bigger Boom

Overall learning management system downloads were 250 percent higher in August than February, according to a report from consultancy Sykes.

New Marketplace Opens for Community College Courses

A company with a focus on "working learners" has launched a new marketplace for community colleges to sell their courses online. Unmudl from SocialTech.ai features courses from seven community colleges.

3 Ways to Serve Students in a Completely Virtual Environment

For colleges and universities that have pivoted to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, the evolution is not over. In order to better meet student needs both today and in the future, here are three key considerations.

U Wyoming Latest to Sign OPM Agreement with Wiley Education Services

The University of Wyoming has signed an online program management agreement with Wiley Education Services, to help faculty shift courses to online formats in time for the spring 2021 semester.

Campuswire Invites Instructors to Make Best Courses Available to World — and Collect a Fee

Education technology company Campuswire has introduced a platform that allows professors from around the world to deliver their live online classes to anybody on the internet.

Panopto Adds Webex Integration

Panopto and Webex users will now be able to transfer their video recordings to their media library. Panopto produces video management applications; Webex is a videoconferencing program.

Podcast: How Oregon State Uses Tech and Ingenuity to Engage Physics Students Remotely

Last fall, Oregon State University launched an Ecampus online program for its introductory physics courses, with an emphasis on collaborative, hands-on work. In this episode of the Campus Technology Insider podcast, Senior Physics Instructor KC Walsh and Associate Department Head David Craig talk about how they’ve used technology, open educational resources, take-home lab kits and more to engage students from a distance.

Survey: Interactive, In-Class Engagement Makes a Difference to Students

Even though first-year college students are more likely than students in later years to say they intended to return to school in the spring (73 percent versus 68 percent), they're less confident they'll see the value of the investment in higher education (45 percent compared to 51 percent), according to a recent survey done by education technology company Top Hat.

Unizin Partners with Blackboard to Offer Ally Across Member Institutions

Unizin's 14 member institutions can now tap into Blackboard's Ally accessibility solution. The higher education consortium recently announced a partnership with Blackboard to help "create a more inclusive and data-informed learning environment" for its members, according to a news announcement.

Active Engagement Improves Online Instruction During COVID-19

Getting students actively engaged in their remote learning has a difference on the outcomes during a pandemic, according to a report published by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Ohio Colleges Push Union Members to Finish 4-Year Degrees

Two schools in Ohio have teamed up to help union members obtain bachelor’s degrees. In a new program called "CSU Career Plus+," Central State University is working with Eastern Gateway Community College to help graduates of the two-year college who are also members of the AFL-CIO finish their four-year degrees in online classes.

California State U Signs 23-Campus Site License for Virtual Science Labs

California State University has signed a site license with Labster, giving each of its 23 campuses the option of using the company's 159 virtual laboratory simulations.

Kahoot to Add Zoom Integration

Learning quiz program company Kahoot! has announced an integration with Zoom, allowing users to access, host and play Kahoot games directly in Zoom meetings.

In the Era of Remote Learning, It's Time for Colleges to Update Privacy Practices

As the pandemic continues, what's happening to all the data being collected by the various programs being used by colleges and universities to deliver remote learning? That's a question explored in a new report published by think tank New America.

Virtual Education Platform Emulates Face-to-Face Interactions

Champlain College is piloting a new virtual education platform that allows students and instructors to interact online much like they would in physical spaces. Conceived by Narine Hall, a data science and machine learning professor at the college, and recently formed as a private company, InSpace is "designed to mirror the fluid, personal and interactive nature of a real classroom," according to a news announcement.

Duquesne University Outfits Classrooms with Audio Conferencing Tech

Pennsylvania's Duquesne University has installed audio conferencing systems in more than 40 classrooms to support its shift to the hybrid learning model, in which some students attend class on-campus while others participate remotely.

Podcast: The Link Between Academic Fraud and Cybersecurity Risk

Since students have returned to school and remote learning this fall, there has been a dramatic increase in internet searches related to academic fraud — that’s according to data from Cisco Talos. In this episode of the Campus Technology Insider podcast, Executive Editor Rhea Kelly talks with Jaeson Schultz, technical leader at Cisco Talos, about his research into academic fraud and the potentially hazardous websites and applications that go along with it.

University of Evansville Expanding Online Learning with $1 Million Grant

Indiana's University of Evansville is developing its online education and learning efforts thanks to a $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment. The university will use the funds to "implement major initiatives that will enhance the campus as well as the online learning environment," according to a news announcement.

COVID-19's Lasting Effects on the Higher Education Landscape

Higher ed's response to the novel coronavirus has exposed issues of pedagogy, equity and more — but also offers opportunities to reshape the future.

10G Networks Promise Millisecond Latency

On the horizon for 2021, 10G offers the promise of delivering 10 times the current most prevalent maximum speeds offered to consumers.

Instructure Intros Canvas Certified Educator Program

This week, during Instructure's virtual customer conference, CanvasCon Online, the learning management system company announced the Canvas Certified Educator program.

Coursera for Campus Extends Free Plans, Adds Enhancements

Coursera has announced that it is continuing its offer of free courses for students and whole campuses, along with some enhanced functionality.

Your Online Courses Are Working — Is Now a Good Time to Consider How You Are Using Physical Classroom Spaces?

Even with the recent emphasis on remote instruction, now is the perfect time to consider strategies for physical classroom spaces.

Student Mental Health, Institutional Finances Top of Mind for University Presidents

When asked about the most pressing issue on their campuses, college and university presidents in a recent ACE survey deemed the mental health of students their top concern.

Report Points to Negative Effects of COVID-19 on Student Success

In a recent survey, three-quarters of U.S.-based students, faculty and administrators reported that COVID-19 has negatively affected student engagement. Nearly as many (73 percent) said the pandemic has damaged their work and career readiness. And seven in 10 (70 percent) said they believed that more students are falling behind in their studies as a result of COVID-19.

Report: 5 Ways to Deliver High-Quality, Equitable Digital Learning Experiences

A recent report from Every Learner Everywhere and Tyton Partners recommended five key actions institutions can take to ensure they are delivering high-quality digital learning experiences for all students.

Half of Faculty 'Strongly' Agree They're Ready for Online Classes this Fall

Faculty feel ready to teach online this fall, either partially or fully. In a recent survey produced by Bay View Analytics in partnership with four online learning organizations and underwritten by Cengage, 49 percent "strongly" agreed that they're prepared, while 35 percent said they "somewhat" agreed.

CT Virtual Summit to Consider Impact of the Remote Campus Experience

As colleges and universities navigate the ever-shifting challenges of higher education's "new normal," they are also looking ahead: How can the lessons learned from the pandemic redefine teaching and learning moving forward? On Oct 20, the Campus Technology Distance Learning Summit will convene education and IT leaders to share their ideas, experiences and outlook for the future.

Podcast: HyFlex Learning in China: Tools, Tips and Training Strategies

China’s Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University was one of the first to shift to remote learning when the COVID-19 pandemic hit earlier this year. Now, it’s stepping things up for the fall by outfitting classrooms for the HyFlex model. In this episode of the Campus Technology Insider podcast, Executive Editor Rhea Kelly talks with Roland Sherwood, manager of the university’s educational technologies team, to find out more.

Class for Zoom Adds Classroom Experience to Popular Meeting Platform

A startup founded by ed tech veterans has announced a program intended to make Zoom more effective in replicating the classroom experience for instructors and students. Class for Zoom is currently seeking people to beta test the software.

Online Courses the New Norm in College

While 40 percent of IT higher education IT leaders and instructional technologists said in June 2020 that their college or university was planning for "mostly in-person" classes for the fall, that share plummeted to less than 5 percent by August, according to a recent study by Educause.

U Kentucky Expands Classroom Tech for Multi-Modal Teaching and Learning

The University of Kentucky has expanded the use of technology in classrooms to accommodate whatever format is appropriate for the course content and faculty and student preference. As the home page for the institution stated, "Work Anywhere. Learn Anywhere. Teach Anywhere."

Colgate U Outsourcing Faculty Support for Hybrid Learning

New York's Colgate University has sought outside help to improve the quality of its hybrid learning experience. The university, which has reopened to students on campus, is also continuing its remote learning programs. Now, some faculty will have access to 2UOS Essential from 2U, a set of services for course production and development, technology and support.

UMass to Share Courses Across System

The University of Massachusetts has launched the Inter-campus Course Exchange, an initiative to make courses from all UMass campuses available to students at any institution in the system.

Livestreamed Chemistry Labs Keep Learning Real — Mistakes, Spills and All

To offer more than pre-recorded lab demonstrations or virtual laboratories to remote students, two chemistry instructors at Missouri S&T have refined their approach, which uses real-time live-streamed demonstrations of experiments.

How HyFlex Engineering Lab Instruction Works at Missouri S&T

Now that students are returning to campus at Missouri S&T, with a mix of online and in-person classes, an instructor in electrical engineering is perfecting his approach to lab activities.

Facebook Launches Social Media Marketing Certificate on Coursera

Social networking giant Facebook is partnering with Coursera to launch a new Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate, designed to prepare learners of any background for jobs in the social media marketing field in just 20 weeks.

Purdue Shares Look Inside HyFlex Classroom

Nathan Mentzer, an associate professor in Purdue University's Polytechnic Institute and College of Education, got an early start with the HyFlex model just as the COVID-19 pandemic was starting to impact higher ed institutions across the country: He started blending both face-to-face and online instruction in his classrooms weeks before Purdue officially shifted to remote learning last spring.

Pepperdine Outfits Classrooms with Hybrid Learning Tech

Southern California's Pepperdine University has upgraded 166 classrooms on campus with hybrid learning technology for the Fall 2020 semester. While fall instruction will remain fully online, the institution wanted to ensure its learning spaces could accommodate any combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning, according to a news announcement.

Rutgers: 5 Ways to Improve Remote Learning

According to a recent study out of Rutgers University-New Brunswick, students need a sense of community and connection in order to thrive in remote learning experiences.

ASU: Laser-Focused on Ensuring the Current Learning Experience; Sights Set on Designs for the Future

Kyle Bowen tells CT how Arizona State University is continuing to offer students the experiences they expect from an ASU education during the current phase of remote learning and how, at the same time, the institution can leverage its work into plans for the future.

Emerson College Expands 2U Partnership with New Data Analytics Boot Camp

Emerson College has launched an online Data Analytics Boot Camp geared toward adult learners and working professionals.

University of Louisiana System Launches Online Re-entry Academy to Boost Degree Completion

The University of Louisiana System's Compete Louisiana college completion initiative is collaborating with StraighterLine to create a new re-entry academy designed to help adults who have stopped out of university return to earn their degree.

U Michigan Engineering Students Get Hands-on Learning at Home

The University of Michigan's College of Engineering has dedicated $500,000 to help create high-quality learning experiences for students in hybrid and remote courses — particularly when it comes to hands-on projects.

Microsoft Teams Adds New Data Insights for Education

Microsoft is expanding the features of the Education Insights app in its Teams collaboration platform.

University of Cambridge Joins EdX

The University of Cambridge is partnering with edX to launch a new MicroMasters program in Writing for Performance and Entertainment Industries — the university's first offering on the online learning platform.

Columbia Partners with 2U on Artificial Intelligence Program

Columbia University's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science is working with 2U to launch the Columbia Artificial Intelligence Program, an online executive education offering aimed at advancing the next generation of technology leaders.

More than Half of Students May Lack Reliable Access to High-Speed Internet

According to a new survey from Visual Objects, 51 percent of high school and college students do not have consistent access to high-speed internet and WiFi.

New Emory Tech Bootcamps to Train Aspiring Tech Workers

Emory University, in partnership with Fullstack Academy, is launching online coding and cybersecurity training programs to help develop tech talent in the Atlanta area.

Survey: Faculty Mostly Satisfied with Fall Plans

In a recent survey, just over half of faculty in higher education expressed doubt about the new academic year: Fifty-one percent said they were "uncertain" about the fall term. Yet 55 percent have said they're moderately or very satisfied with the plans their schools have publicly stated for the fall, and six in 10 said they'd rate the level of clarity their schools have provided regarding how students will be taught as either "excellent" or "good."

Podcast: Inside University of Kentucky’s Pandemic Response Team

The fall semester is beginning, and we are finally starting to see reopening plans play out at colleges and universities across the country. In this episode of the Campus Technology Insider podcast, Executive Editor Rhea Kelly explores the pandemic decision-making process with Dr. Eric Monday, executive vice president for finance and administration at the University of Kentucky, and also the chair of UK’s Pandemic Response Team. He talks about how the team is structured, what types of data they monitor, what kinds of challenges they have been working through, and how they are approaching contingency planning.

Ryerson U Intros AR-Enhanced Science Labs

Ryerson University is working with an augmented reality company to develop a series of labs for science courses. The project is based on InfernoAR from NexTech AR Solutions.

University System of Maryland Rolls Out Virtual Science Labs Across All Campuses

The University System of Maryland has partnered with Labster to provide its virtual laboratory simulations across all USM institutions.

Arcadia U Online 'Semester of Code' Program to Train Students in Job-Ready Tech Skills

Arcadia University is partnering with ed tech company 2U to launch an online Semester of Code program that will provide credit-bearing, market-relevant coding experiences for undergraduate students across the United States.

Student Interest in Healthcare Field on the Rise During COVID-19

Healthcare has become a big topic of interest to college students. In a study by Quizlet, analysts found that while participation in healthcare (as measured by activity in the company's study tools) initially dropped to 86 percent of usual levels of interest as school closures took place, it rose to 113 percent as remote learning got underway.

3 Ways for IT to Prepare for Fall Classes

Babson College, like so many schools, is priming for the start of fall classes, which begin in just a few days. Here's how the Boston-based institution has positioned itself to succeed.

Survey: Majority of Learners Believe the Pandemic Will Fundamentally Change Higher Education

In a recent survey of learners of all ages around the globe, 79 percent of respondents agreed that colleges and universities will fundamentally change because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stony Brook Involvement Fair Woos Students into Campus Fold — Virtually

Stony Brook University in New York has introduced a virtual version of its "involvement fair," intended to help students on and off campus partake in club activities and meet other students, even if they can't do it in person.

Survey: Most College Students Feel Fine Going Back to Campus

A survey of college students found that most were comfortable heading back to campus. The survey was done by OneClass, a company that sells study guides posted by students and faculty.

Prospective Students More Likely to Consider Option of Online Programs

A survey by online education solution provider 2U has found that nearly three-quarters of prospective students said the COVID-19 pandemic has made them more likely to consider online programs.

Big Ten Universities Partner to Offer Free Online Courses

This fall, students at any of the seven participating Big Ten Academic Alliance universities will have access to free online courses at other Big Ten schools.

New AVer Distance Learning Camera Features AI Auto Tracking

AVer has introduced a new distance learning camera that uses artificial intelligence to automatically detect and follow an instructor's movement in the classroom, with no need for a camera operator.

Instructors Believe Students More Likely to Cheat When Class Is Online

One outcome for the shift to online classes, according to the college and university instructors now teaching them, is that students will be more likely to cheat. In a recent survey, 93 percent of educators said they expected online learning to be more conducive to academic dishonesty.

Podcast Bonus: Managing Higher Ed's "New Normal"

In this bonus episode of the podcast, Dr. Elliot Stern, president of Saddleback College in Southern California, talks candidly about how his institution is making strategic decisions for the fall and what kinds of policies and infrastructure they are putting in place to move forward. The conversation comes from Campus Technology's recent Distance Learning Summit – a virtual event focused on the most critical considerations for managing higher ed's "new normal" during the COVID-19 pandemic.

USC Deploys $2 Million AV Network in Prep for Hybrid

The University of Southern California is investing close to $2 million in a project to deploy an AV network to cover 248 classroom spaces for hybrid learning.

Top Hat Adds Communication and Community Tools

Active learning courseware platform Top Hat has introduced Slate, an integrated communication tool that enables course announcements, real-time discussions, project collaborations, peer connections, community building and more, all in one centralized hub.

What to Do When Hands-on Learning Is Essential

The University of St. Augustine faces a problem unique to programs delivering healthcare training — how to help students prepare for clinical careers.

Zoom Intros Home Videoconferencing Appliance

Zoom Video Communications has announced a new device specifically designed for home videoconferencing. But at least one analyst suspects the price may keep buyers at by. In mid-July Zoom announced it would be taking pre-orders for Zoom for Home, a dedicated appliance for allowing employees to meet and collaborate online. Currently, the device is available for pre-order.

EdX Advisory Council Calls for Short-Term Credential Programs, Industry-Aligned Curricula

Learning platform edX recently convened the first (virtual) meeting of its MicroBachelors Program Skills Advisory Council, a group launched in early 2020 that brings together foundations, corporations and academic institutions to "solve shared challenges around reskilling and upskilling in order to address the demands of the future workplace." Discussions in the meeting centered on two key areas: credentials and content.  

Spelman College Changes Course, Moves to Virtual Instruction for All Students in the Fall

Just a few weeks after announcing a phased reopening plan for the fall semester that would have included both in-person and online instruction, Spelman College has made the decision to switch to an entirely online model.

Updated: Free and Discounted Ed Tech Tools for Online Learning During the Coronavirus Pandemic

As more and more colleges and universities have shut down their campuses to curb the spread of COVID-19, education technology companies have stepped forward to help move student learning to the virtual realm.

More Than Half of U Arizona's Fall Classes Will Have an In-Person Component

When the University of Arizona's fall semester begins on Aug. 24, instruction will be a mix of in-person and remote learning — with more than half of all classes including an in-person component.

Podcast: How Indiana University Is Preparing Classrooms for Blended Learning

Julie Johnston, director of learning spaces for Indiana University, has been working hard to make classrooms safe for students and faculty this fall. In this episode of the Campus Technology Insider podcast, she talks with Executive Editor Rhea Kelly about how the new reality of COVID-19 is impacting IU’s campuses, the challenges of preparing classrooms for the fall, and technology’s role in ensuring a successful teaching and learning experience.

Cengage Offers Free College Math Boot Camps

Education technology company Cengage is running free math readiness boot camps for students, to help them prepare for college.

Students Think Online College Should Cost Less

A single-question survey of more than 17,000 incoming college students across the United States and Canada has found that students believe online courses don't have the same value as the in-person experience.

Google Reveals New Features for Meet

Google has unveiled some of its plans for updates to Meet, the web conferencing tool that's part of the company's G Suite for Education. The basic thrust is to give instructors more control over their real-time sessions and help them make the classes more engaging.

COVID-19 Survey Finds 80% of College Students Shifting Gears

A survey among college-bound students in California has found that four in five have had to change their college plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

IU Report Offers 4 Recommendations for Online Teaching this Fall

Indiana University has released preliminary findings from a survey of undergraduates and instructors across its all of its campuses, examining their experiences of the transition to remote instruction this past spring.

San José State U Launching Tech Bootcamps on Coding and Cyber Security

San José State University is partnering with Fullstack Academy to create two new Tech Bootcamp programs focused on coding and cyber security.

New Vanderbilt Instructional Design Support Center to Ease Faculty Transition to Online Teaching

Vanderbilt University has announced a new Instructional Design Support Center focused on improving online teaching and course quality.

Google Adds 3 New Certificates on Coursera

Google has announced three new certificate programs on Coursera: Data Analytics, Project Management, and User Experience Design.

Microsoft Aims to Train 25 Million Job Strugglers by End of Year

Microsoft intends to provide free online job training through its company, LinkedIn, to 25 million people by the end of this year. The goal: to help those who have been hit by unemployment, furloughs and reduced paychecks to acquire new digital skills as part of accelerating the economic recovery.

Online Discussion Platform Adds AI-Powered Feedback Tool

Packback, an online platform that uses artificial intelligence to facilitate class discussions, has introduced an Instant Feedback feature that provides students with a real-time assessment of their contributions and allows them to revise and improve their work before final submission.

Rice Opening Individual Online Courses to Visiting Students

A new program at Rice University gives students outside the institution a chance to take select online courses for credit.

University of Oklahoma Centralizes Online Graduate Degree Programs

The University of Oklahoma has pulled together its online graduate degree programs under one central umbrella: OU Online.

Spelman College Takes Phased Reopening Approach

Spelman College in Georgia has announced a phased reopening plan that includes both in-person and online instruction, in a "low-density hybrid" model.

Affordability and Major Availability Drive Online Ed Decisions

Pre-pandemic, a slim majority of students considered affordability the most compelling driver for choosing their online school.

U West Georgia Announces 'Full Return' to Campus for Fall

The University of West Georgia has announced plans for a "full return" to campus on Aug. 12, for in-person instruction. The school has also developed contingency plans, one for fully online classes and one that shifts from on-site to online at some point during the fall term.

Few Colleges Publicly Posting Fall Plans

According to a recent survey by education technology company Cengage, nearly nine in 10 colleges and universities (86 percent) haven't yet announced plans for the fall semester.

Arizona State U to Share Help with Remote Instruction in Free Online Conference

Arizona State University is hosting a free two-day online conference to help all higher education faculty prepare remote courses for the fall.

Introducing the Campus Technology Insider Podcast

In this first episode of the Campus Technology Insider podcast, "A Futurist's View of the Fall Semester," Executive Editor Rhea Kelly speaks with futurist Bryan Alexander about higher education's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how the fall semester might play out as colleges and universities reopen.  

HoverCam Integrates Document Camera Software with Zoom

Instructors teaching remotely or in HyFlex learning environments can now access Zoom videoconferencing directly from HoverCam's Flex 11 document camera software.

Colorado State University Global Joins Consortium for Sharing Online Courses

Colorado State University's online campus, CSU Global, has joined the Higher Education Course Recovery Consortium, a network of institutions that are sharing high-quality online courses to help connect students with the courses they need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Champlain College Launches Credit-Bearing Virtual Gap Program

Vermont's Champlain College has introduced a Virtual Gap Program that allows high school graduates to spend a semester focused on intellectual, personal and professional growth before beginning their higher education experience.

Updated: Where to Get Free WiFi for Students During COVID-19

Refer your college students to these services to help them keep up with school work.

2nd CT Virtual Summit on Distance Learning to Explore Higher Ed's New Normal

Now that the initial fires of COVID-19 response have been put out, institutions are faced with a lot of unknowns for the fall semester. Campus Technology is convening campus leaders and ed tech experts to share their ideas and best practices in a second virtual event July 16.

Staking a Claim on the Future of Education: Blended Learning

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the massive rush to move courses online this spring, it’s that a sudden change to fully online, even in the year 2020, isn’t easy. Here, Jared Stein proposes an important takeaway from the pandemic: Blended learning environments can help us prepare for the future.

What a Fall Reopening Looks Like

New Jersey Institute of Technology started the process of planning its return to campus with a strength — the concept of converged learning — and began building from there.

Coursera Makes Certificate Programs Free to College Students During Pandemic

Online learning provider Coursera has opened up its certificate programs to current undergraduate, graduate or recently graduated college and university students.

Indiana U Embracing Blend of On-Campus and Online for Fall

In a statement today from President Michael McRobbie, Indiana University announced its plans for resuming fall instruction.

College Using Block-Class Plan to Reduce COVID-19 Risk

Arizona's Prescott College will reopen on-campus classes this fall with a new risk-management strategy: using a flexible block-class schedule to minimize contacts among faculty, staff and students.

Kahoot Now Integrates with Microsoft Teams

Education technology company Kahoot has added integration with Microsoft Teams, allowing users to play Kahoot games while collaborating remotely via Teams’ web conferencing and chat tools.

Johns Hopkins Offers Free Certificate Course on Contact Tracing

In a special arrangement with Bloomberg Philanthropies, a new course by the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Health is training people to do COVID-19 contact tracing.

Free Playbook Offers Guidance to Faculty on Moving Courses Fully Online

A "playbook" from a team of higher education organizations provides advice and tips for faculty on how to design their courses for online delivery, enhance their online instruction and pursue continuous improvement.

Rice D2K Lab Takes Student Project Showcase Virtual

Rice University transitioned its annual Center for Transforming Data to Knowledge (the D2K Lab) showcase to a virtual showcase.

OLC to Deliver Discounted PD on Online Instruction to Minority-Serving Institutions

The Online Learning Consortium has received a grant to work with minority-serving institutions as they shift to online instruction. The $50,000 award from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation will fund delivery of affordable, short-term workshops to reach instructors in institutions that need professional development resources most.

Simmons U Plans Dual Paths for Fall 2020

To cover all bases, Simmons University, a private women-focused institution in Boston, has announced its intention to develop an online undergraduate experience in time for the start of school in fall 2020. The new program, being built with the help of 2U, will give students the option of enrolling in hundreds of Simmons courses redesigned this summer for online delivery.

Colleges Show Great Interest in Alternative Credentials But Weak Follow-Through

A survey undertaken by the University Professional and Continuing Education Association and online learning producer MindEdge found that two-thirds of respondents in colleges and universities have seen growing interest in alternative credentials among students in recent years, and nearly half would call it "significant growth" in interest.

Google Meet Now Offers Free Option

Google has just made premium functionality in its online video meeting software freely available to anybody with a Google e-mail account.

The 5 Stages of Moving Online

From determining a remote learning strategy to planning for the new normal and enabling standards-based practices, these five phases describe the progress institutions are making toward excellence in teaching and learning online.

CSU Courses to Remain Primarily Virtual for Fall

This fall, California State University will be keeping most of its institutions' courses online, in response to the ongoing health and safety concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic.

U Arizona Announces In-Person Classes for Fall as Campus Plans for More COVID-19 Testing

The University of Arizona plans to resume in-person classes this fall, after the state began statewide antibody testing with help of the university.

11 Considerations for Resuming In-Person Instruction in the COVID-19 Era

A new set of guidelines from the American College Health Association has provided a run-down of key considerations for safely reopening institutions of higher education as the COVID-19 pandemic slows.

U Arizona Launches Global Campus with 73 Locations

The University of Arizona has expedited plans to launch a global campus, involving other institutions of higher education on five continents, to reach international students whose plans have been disrupted by COVID-19-induced campus closures, international travel restrictions or visa moratoriums.

International Students of the Future Will Demand Mix of Online and Offline Education

A new report has identified five areas where colleges and universities will have to develop strength in order to woo future generations of international students: social engineering, sustainability, mindfulness, savvy use of technology and the ability to deliver a "transnational" education.

MOOCs Gain Pickup, Respond to COVID-19

MOOCs — massive open online courses — have become a major part of the online learning conversation with the advent of school closures due to coronavirus. Class Central, a site that tracks and catalogs the online learning platform segment, reported a "surge" of attention on MOOCs beginning on March 15, a date when "social distancing" became part of the common language.

ASU’s Thunderbird Grads to Cross Stage as Robot Avatars

Thunderbird School of Global Management, a school within Arizona State University, is planning for a robot-filled graduation. The institution will be using telepresence robots equipped with a tablet computer to provide video and audio of the graduating seniors.

Universities Adopt Remote Lab Tools to Let Engineering Students Continue Work Remotely

Three universities have gone public with their use of remote laboratory equipment from National Instruments (NI) to give students hands-on practice with live data and instrumentation, even as they made the switch from in-person to remote classes.

9 Next Steps to Make Online Education More Engaging

Video lectures may have worked as a stop-gap measure in the emergency move to online learning, but they just don't cut it for the long term. Here are nine ways to bring distance education courses to the next level.

Lowered Expectations, Dropped Assignments Dominated Switch to Online Courses

Nearly half of faculty in a recent survey said they lowered their expectations about the amount of work they could expect from their students after the switch to online learning in response to school closures caused by COVID-19.

Three-Quarters of College Students Call Online Classes 'Unengaging,' Miss Campus Interactions

In an April survey done by education technology vendor Top Hat, a quarter of college students said they're undecided about whether or not to continue their education in the fall.

Why Saddleback College Expects to Be 90 Percent Online for Fall

This community college was one of the first to announce its plans for the fall semester. And no matter what students might prefer, they won't be returning to standard classroom settings anytime soon.

Berkeley College Ships Laptops to New Students

Berkeley College resumed its spring semester this week with online courses. To make sure students had access to computing devices, the private for-profit school, with locations in New York and New Jersey, handed out free laptops to all new incoming students.

COVID-19's Ultimate Impact on Online Learning: The Good and the Bad

Higher education's current move to online learning may be leaving a sour taste in the mouths of students and faculty across the country, but there is a silver lining.

A Third of College Students Don't Expect to Return if Fall Classes are Online

An education study site ran an informal poll with students about whether they'd return to school in the fall if it were only delivered remotely; a third said they'd withdraw.

ProctorU Proposes Student Bill of Rights for Remote Learning

Ed tech company ProctorU has created a "student bill of rights" that outlines seven areas of expectations students should be able to count on from their academic institutions.

Social Learning Platform Piazza Adds Live Q&A Upvoting to Course-Correct Virtual Ed

Piazza, the company that produces a social learning application for colleges and universities, has added new functionality to its software. Piazza "Live Q&A" offers a dedicated place within courses where students can ask questions and upvote questions in real time as instructors are running their classes.

Cal State Fullerton Clarifies Fall Plans

California State University, Fullerton has had to mop up the confusion generated when local news stations reported that the campus would be delivering its courses virtually on the first day of classes in fall. According to a statement issued by Provost Pamella Oliver a day later, the reporting was wrong.

Distance Learning Ramp-up: A Strategic View

When Arizona State University shifted the whole student body to online learning during its COVID-19 campus closure, it had an advantage: Lessons learned by EdPlus and ASU Online. In this interview, EdPlus CEO Phil Regier shares the pain and the promise of digital education at distance.

Survey: Emergency Move Online Forced More than Half of Faculty to Learn New Teaching Methods

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all higher education institutions (90 percent) in a recent survey used some form of emergency distance education to complete the Spring 2020 term. And 56 percent of faculty who moved courses online were using teaching methods they had never used before.

CT Launches Virtual Summit on Distance Learning

With campus closures leading education institutions everywhere to scramble to move instruction to an online format, Campus Technology is convening ed tech experts and practitioners to share their ideas and best practices in a virtual event on May 5.

Free Tool Extracts Data from the LMS to Provide Better Visibility into Remote Learning

Data analytics company HelioCampus has released the LMS Explorer Kit, a free tool that allows institutions to extract and organize data from their learning management system to better inform resource planning and decision-making.

Crossbraining Uses Video Capture for Assessment

An education technology company has enhanced a program for experiential learning and assessment that can be used with K-12 and career and technology students.

U Michigan Expanding Online Programs in Public Health for the Fall

The University of Michigan is adding new online programs for the fall, including a new master's degree in public health.

4,000-Plus U.S. Higher Ed Institutions Impacted by COVID-19; More Than 25 Million Students Affected

At last count, 4,235 higher education institutions across the United States have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic — affecting an estimated 25,798,790 students, according to a visualization from Entangled Solutions.

Amazon Initiative Offers Resources for Educators Switching to Remote Learning

Amazon Web Services Education has introduced a set of free resources intended to help teachers and faculty in K-20 with their transitions to remote teaching and learning.

California CCs Adopt Labster for Virtual Lab Work

With nearly all campuses transitioning to online learning during the COVID-19 outbreak, California's community colleges will let students continue their science lab-based education by giving them access to virtual laboratories.

Coursera Machine Learning Tool Matches On-Campus Courses with MOOC Resources

Coursera has introduced a new tool that helps universities identify courses on the company's online learning platform that most closely match their on-campus offerings.

5 Easy Ways to Infuse Learning Science into Remote Teaching

These practices will help engage students and improve outcomes throughout the online learning process.

Ready for Anything with Internet Technology? Aim High.

Colleges and universities have been impelled, in recent weeks, to conduct nearly all academic and business processes online for our health and safety amid the hazards of COVID-19. Out of this, a persistent question has emerged: Are we really able to carry on the best values of higher education through our online presence? Gardner Campbell considers the question.

Rice Converts Summer School to All-Online Delivery

To take advantage of the momentum created by a quick switch from face-to-face courses to online version, one Texas university is ramping up plans for a major online summer session too. Rice University, which switched to distance learning in March in response to coronavirus, has decided to offer all of its summer courses online.

Google Classroom Tops Education App Downloads

A new analysis by App Annie has found that mobile education applications have experienced a 90 percent increase in weekly downloads usage worldwide between the last three months of 2019 and the first three months of 2020.

Glue Collaboration Brings Virtual Groups Together in 3D

A Nordic company has introduced a virtual reality collaboration platform. Glue Collaboration's software by the same name facilitates virtual environments where remote participants can come together to learn, share, plan and create as if they were in the same physical space.

Seniors Invited to Participate in Minecraft Graduation Ceremony

Some students are hitting Minecraft during their "self-quarantines" to recreate their campuses. And at least one group is planning a national graduation ceremony to take place in their virtual world.

9 Thoughts for Dealing with Online Learning in a Crisis

Colleges and universities everywhere are rushing to move courses online and keep teaching and learning going during the coronavirus pandemic. Here's how to cope with what may feel like an impossible task.

Remote Learning on the Fly: Notes from China

While university instructors around the world scramble to implement delivery of their courses online — a medium with which they may have only limited experience — they can learn from the field notes of their counterparts at the largest international joint-venture university in China.

Enrollment in Online Programs Flattening Out for Now

Enrollment for online education rose in 2019 at universities and colleges, but not as quickly as it had been doing in previous years, according to a new survey from Quality Matters and Eduventures Research.

CHLOE Report Advice for Online Learning: Focus on Completing Course Reqs

This year's report on The Changing Landscape of Online Education comes as nearly every college and university in the land is taking its courses online in response to COVID-19. In an 11th-hour addition to the report, CHLOE researchers suggested that the immediate goal for any institution right now should be to have faculty communicate with students on completing the tasks and assignments they need to satisfy course requirements.

Moving to Digital Learning Fast: Staying Positive

The rushed transition to online instruction during the coronavirus pandemic can be wrought with anxiety, technical issues, concern for students and more. What's the best way to stay positive and support faculty?

Moving to Digital Learning Fast: More Questions Answered

With the coronavirus pandemic closing college and university campuses everywhere, faculty are tasked with a quick move to online instruction. Here, education experts offer advice on how to make the transition.

Moving to Digital Learning Fast: Where to Start

As coronavirus changes life as we knew it, these education experts offer advice on how to make the transition to online instruction.

College Spins Off Platform for Real-Time Online Learning

Foundry College, a two-year-old institution that provides "face-to-face" classes online, has spun off its active learning platform as a stand-alone service.

University of the People Opens Its Online Courses to Any University

A tuition-free university, the University of the People, said it would make its online courses available to American universities, enabling their students to take courses for credit.

2U Offers Partner Universities Help in Training Faculty for Online Instruction

2U just launched "No Back Row PRO," a free set of services to help faculty who are part of its university partners ramp up their online delivery of courses.

UC Irvine Launches Online Learning Research Center

The University of California, Irvine School of Education has created a new research center that will aim to provide "evidence-based resources, materials and guidelines for teachers and students to improve academic achievement and equity in online learning."

Free and Discounted Ed Tech Tools for Online Learning During the Coronavirus Pandemic

As more and more colleges and universities are shutting down their campuses over the next several weeks in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, education technology companies have stepped forward to help move student learning to the virtual realm.

Blackboard Provides Fast Track to Digital Class Software Subscription

Learning management system company Blackboard has enabled a self-service portal where colleges and schools can immediately subscribe to its digital collaboration platform, Blackboard Collaborate.

Checklists Provide Guidance for Emergency Remote Instruction

Quality Matters, a nonprofit focused on standards for online learning, has created a set of checklists for rapidly moving classes online in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kahoot! Offering Free Access to Premium Plan

Kahoot! has begun offering free access to the "premium" version of its game-based learning software. This move comes in response to the number of schools and colleges that are shifting to online education to minimize face-to-face contact during the coronavirus pandemic.

Nation's Largest CC District Shifting to Online Learning Until Mid-April

The country's largest community college system, Los Angeles Community College District, announced this week that it is moving as many courses as possible to online formats across its nine colleges, at least until April 13.

Coursera, EdX Offer Free Access to Courses for Universities Impacted by Coronavirus

With universities all over the world looking to quickly move face-to-face classes online, massive open online course companies Coursera and edX have stepped in to offer access to their vast portfolios of course content.

Coronavirus Response: Count of Campus Closures Continues to Rise

In the face of coronavirus, institutions large and small, public and private, two-year and four-year are canceling classes for the foreseeable future to reduce the likelihood of face-to-face interactions as much as possible.

Blackboard to Sell Open LMS Business

Blackboard has announced it will sell its Open LMS business to workplace digital learning and talent management company Learning Technologies Group.

Crash Course Offers Roadmap for Quick Transition to Online Learning

The Flipped Learning Global Initiative has launched a free online course to help instructors and institutions that need to make a quick move to remote learning.

CDC Issues COVID-19 Guidance to Higher Ed

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued interim guidance for higher education administrators on how to respond to coronavirus.

OLC Offers Resources for Online Learning in the Face of Coronavirus Shutdowns

To help institutions prepare for emergency situations such as a coronavirus outbreak, the Online Learning Consortium has put together a list of tools and advice for handling a quick shift to online courses.

Coronavirus Pushes Online Learning Forward

While the physical campus at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University has been closed due to coronavirus (now referred to as COVID-19 by health experts), faculty have quickly adopted an online teaching platform to reach their students through remote instruction.

9 Resources for When Coronavirus Moves Your Course Online

As universities in China move courses online to serve students remotely in the face of COVID-19 lockdowns, instructors are rushing to modify their pedagogy and incorporate digital teaching tools. To help ease that transition, we've gathered our top stories on online teaching and instructional design, chock full of tips and best practices from the trenches.

Purdue University Global Pilots VR Graduation

Graduates at Purdue University Global recently had the option to participate in their commencement ceremonies virtually, thanks to a pilot program using virtual reality to provide an immersive remote experience of the event.

NYU Response to Coronavirus Accelerates Digital Tool Adoption

When New York University closed its NYU Shanghai campus in response to the COVID-19 epidemic in China, little did it realize how much students would appreciate the efforts the university went through to keep their learning on track. The spring 2020 semester kicked off with school officials determined to use digital tools to deliver learning online as an alternative.

Top 7 Trends in Digital Learning Innovation

A new study from the Online Learning Consortium and Every Learner Everywhere outlines seven primary trends in digital learning innovation as well as four secondary trends worth watching.

8 Tips for More Professional Education Videos

Want to improve your course videos? A video producer at Miami University shares her expert advice.

Thoma Bravo, Instructure Push Forward with Buyout; CEO to Step Down

Instructure's CEO will be stepping down in a couple of weeks after the latest purchase agreement with Thoma Bravo is complete.

Thoma Bravo Ups Instructure Offer Price

In a revised agreement announced today, venture capital company Thoma Bravo has increased its offer to acquire Instructure, from the prior $47.60 per share to a “best and final offer” of $49 per share in cash.

Instructure Deal Off — For Now

Instructure's pending acquisition by venture capital company Thoma Bravo appears to have bitten the dust.

Report Finds Boot Camp Model Troubling

An intensely researched study published on Class Central has dissected the economics of boot camps and found them to be poor venture capital investments — and possibly poor investments for their students too.

Boot Camp Growth Rate Slowed in 2019

Boot camps generated nearly half a billion dollars in 2019 and graduated almost 34,000 students, yet the year-over-year growth rate slowed, according to a report from Career Karma.

Adding Escape Rooms to Your Online Course

A virtual version of the escape room concept is engaging students at Northampton Community College. Here's how the setup works.

Newrow Acquired by Kaltura

A company that has made a name for itself in lecture capture and web streaming has acquired another company that provides similar services.

Amgen and Harvard Launch Free Online Science Ed Platform

A new online science education platform offers free access to personalized learning content, virtual lab experiences and networking with the global scientific community.

U North Texas Launches Fully Online Bachelor's Degree on Coursera

The University of North Texas is giving non-traditional students a pathway to complete a bachelor's degree online. The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences program will launch on Coursera beginning in fall 2020.

Most Faculty Would Choose Face-to-Face for Student Interactions

More than half of faculty prefer using a blended environment with their students, which includes both blended and in-person elements, but nearly three-quarters would choose a completely or mostly face-to-face approach for most elements involving interaction with students, according to a survey from the Educause Center for Analysis and Research.

Initiative Aims to Produce High-Quality Flipped Resources

A two-year campaign is being undertaken by the Flipped Learning Global Initiative and Teachers Pay Teachers to develop high-quality flipped learning resources for the classroom.

Google Expands IT Training Offerings

Google has introduced a new Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate, a program designed to provide job-ready skills in Python, Git and IT automation in under six months.

ProctorU and Yardstick Merge to Form New Testing Company

Online exam security and identity management company ProctorU is merging with Yardstick Assessment Strategies, a provider of psychometrics and computer-based exam administration for professional testing organizations.

EdX Offers Working Learners New Pathway to Bachelor's Degree

EdX has introduced a new MicroBachelors program designed to offer working learners job-ready skills in a credit-backed, stackable credential that can be applied toward a full bachelor's degree.

MOOCs Could Be Effective for Employee Upskilling

According to a team of researchers from Canadian University Dubai, Lancaster University and the University of Adelaide, a review of literature found that massive open online courses can provide flexible learning, address rapidly changing skills needs and deliver credentials.

Long-Term Learning Gains Remain Elusive with Flipped Model

The flipped learning model doesn't necessarily work in the long term, according to an experiment at West Point.

Instructure Going Private with VC Buyout

The company that staked its claim in the LMS market by taking its learning management system open source in 2011 has agreed in principle to be acquired by a venture capital firm. Instructure recently announced the transaction. Thoma Bravo has offered stockholders $47.60 per share in cash, valuing the company at about $1.79 billion.

5 Proven Ways to Make Your Good Online Course Great

Recent research uncovered just a handful of distinct elements that set great online teaching apart from the merely good. The findings came out of interviews with eight faculty members who have won awards for their online teaching from three professional associations: the Online Learning Consortium, the Association for Educational Communications & Technology and the United States Distance Learning Association.

Mixing in Online Courses Boosts Outcomes for CC Students

A statewide study of 30 SUNY community colleges found that, overall, students who successfully completed online courses nearly doubled their chances of earning a degree or transferring to a four-year college.

MOOCs on the Rise in China

China's government has gotten into the MOOC game, setting annual targets for how many high-quality massive open online courses should be produced each year.

4 Ways Online Universities Can Support Workforce Development

To prepare students for the job market of the future, online institutions must equip them with interpersonal skills such as leadership, communication and management. Here are four strategies for prioritizing the human connection.

Research: Flipped Learning Boosts Test Scores

The latest word on the use of "pre-class activities" — flipped learning — is that it improves student engagement in the class itself as well as students' assessment scores. A recent study by a team of researchers from Macmillan Learning and the University of Connecticut examined the use of flipped learning through Achieve, a new Macmillan digital learning tool, and found a "significant effect" with its use.

Fully Online Courses Are No. 1 Requirement for Many Working Learners

A recent report from child care and education benefits company Bright Horizons found that four out of five working learners do some of their learning online, and more than half are enrolled in courses that are entirely online.

Pearson Acquires Lumerit to Grow Accelerated Pathways Business

Pearson has announced the acquisition of Lumerit Education, an ed tech company that uses data analytics to match learners to academic programs and helps them earn the right credits for their desired degree path.

Students Rate College Success Tools, WiFi High; Accessibility Efforts Low

If schools were wondering whether student success tools are worth the investment, a survey among students by Educause has put the question to rest. Students rated degree audit tools that show the degree requirements completed as the most useful (ranked by 80 percent of respondents as "very" or "extremely" useful).

Improving Online Teaching Through Training and Support

Kapi'olani Community College instituted comprehensive training to help faculty design, develop and assess online courses — including supportive incentives to make sure instructors can successfully complete the program.

Bellevue College Launches Software Coding Series Focused on Workforce Development

A new software coding program at Bellevue College aims to build students' tech skills for technology jobs in the software development field. The institution's Continuing Education division partnered with coding education company Coding Dojo to create the new line of accelerated education courses, beginning with a 12-week program in Python development.

Preparing Faculty for High-Quality Online Programs

Temple University's College of Public Health is a diverse school experiencing significant growth online. Here's how the institution is supporting the development and maintenance of high-quality online faculty.

Coursera Brings Online Course Content to Campus

Coursera is expanding its portfolio as an online learning platform to work with colleges and universities on campus. Coursera for Campus provides universities with content that they can integrate into their curricula as credit eligible courses and supplemental learning.

Research: Learning Intent Should Determine Online Class Size

According to a recently published research project, large classes — those with 40 or more students — are best for "foundational and factual knowledge acquisition," and smaller enrollments — 15 or fewer students — are better for courses intended "to develop higher order thinking, mastery of complex knowledge and student skill development."

New CA Community College Addresses Working Adults

California is taking on the skills gap directly by opening a community college dedicated to addressing the needs of working adults and hiring managers. Calbright College, which opened for course registration today, will use a combination of online classes, mobile apps and in-person apprenticeships to give its adult students the specific skills they need to get higher paying jobs.

Purdue Begins Transition to D2L Brightspace

Purdue University recently announced a major learning management system change: By the start of the fall 2020 semester, the entire university system will move from Blackboard Learn to D2L Brightspace.

Online Professional Development: 3 Ways to Keep Faculty Coming Back for More

For students to succeed in online learning, faculty must be encouraged to go back to class themselves.

New CBE Certificate Program Offers Instructional Design Training

Instructional design firm iDesign has unveiled a new competency-based education program for learner experience professionals.

DIY Mindset Reshaping Education

A do-it-yourself mindset is changing the face of education worldwide, according to new survey results from Pearson and Harris Insights & Analytics. Learners are "patching together" their education from a "menu of options," including self-teaching, short courses and bootcamps, and they believe that self-service instruction will become even more prevalent for lifelong learning.

Report Calls Online Program Managers 'Wolves in Sheep's Clothing'

A damning report from the Century Foundation calls into question the continuing use of for-profit companies to deliver online courses in public institutions, referring to the companies as "wolves in sheep's clothing."

2U Calls for Transparency in Online Program Management

Even as the Century Foundation was doing its best to damn the practices of online program managers that work with colleges and universities to deliver online courses and programs, OPM pioneer 2U sought proactively to counter the report's punch by calling for greater visibility in online program management with a new "Framework for Transparency."

Los Angeles CCs Add Online Tutoring

Students in the Los Angeles Community College District now have access to online tutoring to augment on-campus tutoring services.

Chegg to Acquire Thinkful

Chegg is growing its learning platform with the acquisition of Thinkful, an online learning company specializing in bootcamp-style tech training.

Coursera Launches Hands-on Learning Feature

Coursera has introduced Coursera Labs, a new offering that allows learners to work hands-on with almost any third-party software application, without any environment setup or software downloads.

Distance Learning Without Computers

Arizona State University is finding out what refugee farmers in Uganda and online course creators have to teach each other about making do with very little.

Education Startup Launches Online Courses for College Credit

Masterclass co-founder Aaron Rasmussen is turning his attention to making introductory college courses more affordable for students. His new venture, dubbed Outlier.org, is launching online courses for Calculus I and Introduction to Psychology this fall.

CBE Students Persist More, Move Through Courses Faster and Pay Less

Capella University has issued a report of findings based on five years of learning outcomes from its competency-based education or "direct assessment" program. According to the fully online institution, CBE students have a higher two-year persistence rate than peers following traditional programs; they're getting through their courses of study at a faster pace; and they pay less in tuition and also borrow less.

Salesforce Joins Forces with SNHU to Offer College Credits

A new partnership between Southern New Hampshire University and Salesforce will give students the opportunity to earn college credits for completing Salesforce training badges.

Class Central Ranks Top 100 MOOCs 'of All Time'

The top five free online courses of all time follow no pattern whatsoever. One covers programming, two are about natural sciences and two others examine brain topics from very different perspectives, and they come from universities all over the world. But all five have one thing in common: They've been judged as the best-ranked by the people who have taken the classes and voted on them through Class Central.

Study: Remote Attendance Shrinks Absenteeism

Making videoconferencing available to students who can't attend class in person can improve attendance and student satisfaction, according to a two-year project that took place at Indiana University.

GitHub Adds LMS Integration for More Efficient Workflows

Recently, GitHub announced integrations between GitHub Classroom and popular learning management systems Google Classroom, Instructure Canvas, D2L Brightspace and Moodle, enabling the automatic syncing of students from the LMS platform to GitHub Classroom.

Bootcamp Business Up 49% Year-over-Year

This year coding bootcamps are expected to graduate more than 23,000 developers, an overall growth rate of 705 percent since 2013, according to a recent report by Course Report, and an increase of 49 percent over 2018.

Google Adds Tools for Grading, Plagiarism Detection

This week, Google introduced Assignments, a revamp of its Course Kit toolkit (in beta last year), designed to streamline the process of collecting and grading student work.

Uneven Standards Hamper Online Education the World Over

A new report has provided SWOT analyses of seven regions around the world related to digital and distance education. The bottom line: While online learning is on the rise everywhere, programs and courses show great unevenness because of a lack of standards.

ED Approves California Federal Financial Aid Fix

The U.S. Department of Education is allowing California's new process for students receiving federal aid despite a change in ED regulations that would have impacted 80,000 online students.

2U Announces First Online Undergrad Degree Offering

2U is partnering with the London School of Economics and Political Science to offer the company's first online undergraduate degree program.

Boston U Launches $24K Online MBA on EdX

Boston University's Questrom School of Business has partnered with edX to create a fully online Master of Business Administration with a total tuition cost of $24,000.

U Illinois Intros Online Foundation Courses Leading to Tech Master's

The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign has launched a new set of courses through Coursera that will help prepare non-technical people to tackle technical master's degrees.

Bb Learn Integration Simplifies Mediasite Video Work

Education technology company Sonic Foundry recently announced integration between its video platform and learning management system Blackboard Learn Ultra.

European Framework Offers Promise of Portable University Credentials

Recent reporting by Class Central shed light on a new initiative in Europe among MOOC providers and the universities they work with to launch a program for creating portable credentials for learners. The European MOOC Consortium announced its Common Microcredential Framework in April.

Proctorio Adds New Plagiarism Detection Tools with Canvas Integration

Remote proctoring company Proctorio has added two plagiarism detection tools to its Learning Integrity Platform.

Blackboard Intros First Data Platform Release

Blackboard has introduced the Blackboard Reporting Stack Developer Tier, the first release on the Blackboard Data platform, which gives colleges and universities direct access to data sets to analyze their learning ecosystem and support institutional goals.

Blackboard Expands Ally Accessibility Tool to D2L Brightspace

Blackboard's Ally accessibility solution is now available for D2L's Brightspace learning management system.

5 Quick Tips for Improving Your Instructional Design

Moving a course from brick-and-mortar to online requires rethinking how you deliver content, replicate in-class interactions and pinpoint areas for improvement.

Canvas Intros Plagiarism Detection Tools

Canvas and Proctorio are partnering to launch new solutions to help students and teachers identify plagiarism.

CA Community Colleges Awarded $27.5 Million for Online CTE

California's community college system has issued 70 grants totaling $27.5 million to help its colleges develop and strengthen career education programs that can be taken online.

Claflin U Connects Online Students with 24/7 Support Resources

South Carolina's Claflin University is working with ed tech startup Upswing to offer a variety of support resources for its online students.

MIT and Arizona State University Create Stacked Master's Degree on EdX

A new collaboration between edX, Arizona State University and MIT has resulted in an online master's degree program in Supply Chain Management that stacks credits from both universities.

University of North Texas to Offer Non-Credit Courses Through Coursera

In an effort to expand access to online learning, the University of North Texas is partnering with Coursera to offer non-credit courses in the massive open online format.

Capella University Opens Brick-and-Mortar Campus Center

Online institution Capella University is opening its first brick-and-mortar Campus Center.

AWS Educate Adds New Badges

Amazon Web Services is releasing three new badges focused on robotics, augmented reality and machine learning.

Data Sciences, Business and Soft Skills Are Top Needs for Workforce Reskilling   

A new survey from learning platform edX has identified two major skill areas where respondents reported feeling a lack of proficiency in their jobs: data sciences, and business and soft skills.

University of San Diego Partners with Thinkful for Online Tech Training

The University of San Diego Division of Professional and Continuing Education is working with online coding school Thinkful to provide job training for high-demand tech careers in the greater San Diego area.

Survey: Students Choosing Online Programs Closer to Home

In spite of the notion that students could conceivably take online courses from an institution anywhere in the world, two-thirds stick close to home — choosing a college or university within 50 miles of where they live, according to an annual survey of online students done by Wiley company Learning House.

Survey: Competency-Based Model Excels for Nontraditionals

For the last five years, Gallup has surveyed a national sampling of 75,000 college graduates to understand their post-college "well-being and workplace engagement." Recently, the survey company did the same specifically for graduates of Western Governors University.

Study: Online Schools Have Not 'Dethroned' Faculty

Does online learning spend more on technology and less on people? That's the latest question posed by Eduventures Chief Research Officer Richard Garrett, in an essay published on the Encoura website.

Western Governors Addresses College Readiness Gap with New Academy

Today, Western Governors University is launching a new competency-based series of courses through an independent entity. According to the institution, the courses to be offered through WGU Academy, as it's called, are intended for students who need a little extra help before they're ready for college.

5 Ways to Promote Student Success in Online Learning

A new report from Strada Education Network offers key takeaways from last fall's Online Student Success Symposium, a two-day workshop focused on challenges, innovative practices and future opportunities in online learning.

Purdue Partners with Cisco, Lilly for Corporate Ed

Purdue University is expanding into the corporate learning realm with two new deals with Fortune 500 corporations Cisco Systems and Eli Lilly and Co. The institution worked with each company to create custom courses for their employees, with a focus on providing high-quality content in a flexible online format.

Colorado State Pilot Tests Connecting Remote and In-Class Students

Colorado State University's College of Business has set up a pilot for what it calls a first for a business school: a blended classroom that connects on-campus and remote students in real time. The approach uses technology from mashme.io for live connectivity and collaboration.

University of Wisconsin Adds Tech Bootcamp as Continuing Ed

A Wisconsin university has signed on with an online bootcamp to provide crash courses in in-demand tech skills to address the state's job training needs. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's School of Continuing Education is working with coding school Thinkful on the initiative.

Analysis: How Bootcamps Could Disrupt Higher Ed

The Christensen Institute has weighed in on the potential for coding and computer science bootcamps to disrupt traditional higher education. In a new report, "Betting on Bootcamps," the organization, which focuses on "disruptive innovation," has offered five scenarios for the future of these short-term, workforce-aligned training programs that emphasize professional success.

ASU, The Rise Fund Partner on Learning Service for Employers

Arizona State University is joining forces with The Rise Fund to launch InStride, a new partnership program with employers to provide opportunities for employees to obtain a university education.

New Udacity Nanodegree Teaches the Language of Self-Driving Cars

Udacity is launching a new Nanodegree program on the foundations of C++, the programming language used to code self-driving cars, robotics and other complex autonomous and artificial intelligence software systems.

Pearson VUE Tightens ID Verification in Online Testing

Computer-based testing center company Pearson VUE will be embedding new identity verification into its remote testing service.

Arizona State University Sets Up New Company for Corporate Education Deals

Arizona State University intends to co-launch a for-profit company to expand the number of partnerships with corporations for its education programs.

Survey: Online Students Interact More with Course Materials than with Faculty

In a typical online course, students are more likely to interact with course materials — 52 percent of the time — than they are with faculty, other students or staff, according to a recent survey from Quality Matters and Eduventures Research.

Survey: Instructional Designers Drive Better Student Outcomes

Where faculty are compelled to work with instructional designers on development of their online courses, students have better outcomes, according to a recent survey from Quality Matters and Eduventures Research

Most Colleges Report Online Students Perform About the Same as Face-to-Face

Students who takes classes fully online perform about the same as their face-to-face counterparts, according to 54 percent of the people in charge of those online programs. Another 11 percent of "chief online officers" said the online students did better; and 35 percent said they did worse. Those results came from a recent survey done by Quality Matters and Eduventures Research.

Online Enrollment Growing Faster than Blended

Fully online courses are more likely to drive enrollment growth, according to a recent survey of institutions from Quality Matters and Eduventures Research.

How MOOCs Make Money

Dhawal Shah, founder of Class Central, has been tracking the machinations of the MOOC business since before it was a business. Here, he provides perspective on the revenue side of open and online courses.

Feds Debate Mods to Credit Hour Definition

How long is a credit hour? That's the question at the heart of a discussion going on in a committee of distance learning influencers who are part of a negotiated rulemaking process that has met for the last three months to set out a proposal for federal regulation on accreditation for the U.S. Department of Education.

Purdue Online Writing Lab Teams with Chegg

Purdue University will be working with Chegg, a company that produces online homework help among other lines of business, to amplify its Online Writing Lab services.

Study: Online Learning May Not Solve the College Affordability Problem

Could online learning help institutions provide a lower-cost education to more students? That's a question that Richard Garrett, Eduventures chief research officer, examined recently in a brief on the Encoura website. What's needed, Garrett concluded, is a "creative [blend] of in-person and online learning" within institutions to "produce the best mix of cost reduction and high quality."

About a Third of High Schoolers Tackle Dual Enrollment Classes

A "data point" study by the National Center for Education Statistics reported that about a third of high school students in the 2009 to 2013 cohort took dual enrollment classes, mostly at their own schools.

Faculty Training, Support for Online Teaching Needs Improvement

A survey of chief academic officers at public colleges and universities found that while most online courses are taught by full-time faculty, their preparation for and oversight in doing so is highly inconsistent. The survey was undertaken by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities working in tandem with Learning House, a Wiley division that provides online program management services.

Blackboard to Sell Its Transact Business Unit

Blackboard has announced the execution of a definitive agreement to sell its Transact business unit to private equity firm Reverence Capital Partners.

2U Students, Faculty Get LinkedIn, WeWork Perks

Digital academic program management provider 2U is collaborating with LinkedIn and the We Company to give students and faculty in its partner institutions access to new resources.

UMass Plans Online College to Serve Adult Learners

University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan recently announced plans for the five-campus university to launch an online college intended for adult learners.

MOOCs and the Master's Degree

The University System of Maryland is experimenting with the use of massive open online courses to accelerate the path to an advanced degree — and the work has shed light on surprising new benefits of the MOOC format.

Online Learning a Top Challenge for Community College Students

In a recent survey, community college students cited online learning as one of their top five challenges to success. Conducted by researchers from North Carolina State University, the Revealing Institutional Strengths and Challenges Survey polled 50,097 students at 10 community colleges across the United States on the challenges they face in five areas: academic support services; campus environment; finances and financial aid; succeeding in their courses; and work and personal issues.

Instructure to Acquire Portfolium

Instructure, maker of the Canvas learning management system, announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire e-portfolio and student success company Portfolium.

App Allows for Open Annotation of Web Content; Schools Sign on to Pilot

Nonprofit Hypothesis is offering an app that allows for “open annotation” of web content. The organization is especially interested in wooing educational users (both K-12 and higher ed) to serve as test pilots.

Florida School Tests AI as Virtual Tutor for Online Course

Florida International University is testing out the use of a virtual learning assistant pegged as "artificial intelligence tutoring" in an online program. The university has begun a pilot with Cognii, an education technology company that uses natural language processing to interact with the student as he or she learns a particular topic, gets assessed on comprehension and receives coaching to master the concepts.

New Digital Course Helps First-Gen Students Keep Positive Mindset

A publishing company that creates digital learning experiences has introduced a new course to help students navigate through difficult obstacles on their path to graduation. Perceivant launched reMIND, which is designed to improve the success of first-generation, low-income college students but is applicable to all undergraduates.

Top 10 Campus Technology Stories of 2018

A look back at the topics that resonated most over the last year

8 Ed Tech Trends to Watch in 2019

From artificial intelligence to STEM education, these technologies and topics are worth paying attention to this year.

Why Build a Boot Camp?

Ever-increasing numbers of universities and colleges are teaming up with boot camps to deliver tech training. Does your campus need one too?

Negotiated Rulemaking Efforts Begin Tackling Accreditation and Innovation

A Washington, D.C. blizzard was bad enough to knock a day and a half off of the first three-day effort to dig into work on proposed regulations for federal student aid programs. The regulations, authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act, are being undertaken by a "negotiated rulemaking" committee that brings together various stakeholders to hammer out language that the U.S. Department of Education is expected to use for two regulatory areas: accreditation and innovation.

Coursera Partners with Universities on Healthcare Portfolio

Coursera has partnered with 15 universities to develop a portfolio of health-related online courses to help address the global shortage of skilled workers in the healthcare industry.

Survey: Online, Blended Dominate Today’s Learning Environments

In our latest Teaching with Technology Survey, the vast majority of faculty members said they teach in either a fully online or blended format.

MOOC Operator EdX Solidifies Paywall

EdX has gone public with its latest monetization plans. In an effort to develop a "sustainable long-term business model," the MOOC provider has made changes to both its free and paid options for courses.

Coursera Intros SAS Programming Specialization

Coursera today launched a three-course specialization that lays the groundwork for certification in SAS analytics skills. The SAS Programming Specialization "takes learners from the basics through what they need to become SAS certified," according to a news announcement.

Survey: Gen Zers Motivated by Money to Learn

Gen Zers aren't shy about saying money motivates them to learn. According to a survey conducted online for LinkedIn in October among 3,072 adults working full time, the top two reasons these individuals consider learning important is to improve at their jobs and to make more money.

Deal with Independent Colleges Expands Online Course Sharing Options

The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and College Consortium recently hammered out an online course-sharing initiative. The program is intended to help the private schools increase course access to students, with all kinds of benefits.

Online Course Enrollment Grows in Face of Shrinking College Enrollment

The share of college students taking online courses has grown, up by about 6 percent, even as the overall number of people enrolled in higher education institutions dropped by about half a percent. According to preliminary numbers issued by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics, of the 20.1 million students enrolled in fall 2017, 6.7 million were taking at least one distance education class, representing 33 percent of the total — a boost from 31 percent in the previous year.

Creating an Immersive, Global Experience for Business Education

The University of Oxford's Saïd Business School is using cutting-edge videoconferencing technology to connect students and academic scholars in a truly global classroom.

Microsoft Introduces edX-Based Cybersecurity Training Program

Microsoft has introduced a new series of open access courses on cybersecurity that can be taken for free or, for more formal recognition, as a certificate program for a fee. The Microsoft Professional Program Cybersecurity track includes 12 courses — 10 of which must be completed successfully to earn the certificate. The program is hosted on edX and includes labs, community interaction and quizzes. Content is delivered online through videos.

Facebook Intros Career Training Site

Facebook is launching Learn with Facebook, a career development site offering training, tools and resources aimed at helping people access new job opportunities.

Blackboard Pushes Ultra Experience Forward

Education technology company Blackboard has introduced enhancements to the Ultra Experience version of Blackboard Learn, its learning management system, including integration with Ally, an accessibility checklist tool.