IMS Global Learning Consortium Launches Connected Learning Innovation Challenge
IMS Global Learning Consortium has launched the Connected Learning Innovation Challenge in an effort to encourage plug and play integration of learning apps, tools, and content.
The organization is also "launching a collaboration with partners InCommon and the Educause Learning Initiative designed to engage the education community in developing a shared vision to define and build a new IT architecture that allows applications to be easily integrated in support of connected learning," according to a news release.
As part of the launch, IMS Global Learning Consortium will kick off the first in a series of app challenges designed to encourage participants to develop innovative open educational apps, platforms, and tools for connected education.
Participation in the inaugural app challenge is open to any institution or vendor. The entry deadline is February 1, 2014, and winners will be selected April 1. Winners will receive a Learning Impact medal and $1,000 at the 2014 Learning Impact Leadership Institute.
"Educational technology is becoming a more universal aspect of the learning experience, but the ed-tech ecosystem has a long way to go before the experience is truly seamless," said Brian Whitmer, co-founder and chief learning officer at Instructure, a challenge sponsor, in a prepared statement. "By encouraging open app development on a common standard, we can help students focus on learning instead of jumping through hoops from app to app. We'll keep pushing from the Canvas side, but it's great to see support from so many other groups in this endeavor."
Institutional advocates for the initiative include Lone Star Community College-University Park, Penn State University, Tennessee Board of Regents, University of California at Los Angeles, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, University of Michigan, and the University of San Diego.
More information about the challenge is available at imsglobal.org/leadingchange.
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Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].