Learning Tools

Unizin Partners with edX, Cengage

• By Rhea Kelly
• 10/24/17

Nonprofit consortium Unizin is expanding its suite of education technologies and services through two new partnerships with edX and Cengage.

The alliance with edX focuses on advancing ed tech standards and open access to data for users of the Open edX learning platform, according to a news release. Unizin will "operate and invest in" Open edX, hosting the software for the consortium's member universities. A number of universities have committed to implementing Open edX through Unizin's hosted offering, including Ohio State University, Indiana University and the University of Michigan.  

"By adopting Open edX and working closely with the other members of the community to accelerate the development of open standards and educational services, the 25 institutions that comprise Unizin will play an integral part in advancing and supporting all forms of digital education," commented Anant Agarwal, edX CEO and MIT professor, in a statement. "This partnership marks an exciting step in furthering our joint missions of increasing access to high-quality education for all learners, everywhere."

Unizin's agreement with Cengage establishes the company as the "exclusive services partner for expert course design, production services and curriculum analysis to improve student retention and learner success" for consortium members. Unizin members can tap Cengage's Learning Solutions team to help "measure, review and tailor content, technology and design services," according to a news announcement. The partnership builds on an existing deal that provided more affordable course materials to students across all Unizin member institutions.

"Our expanded agreement with Unizin gives member institutions access to services that improve the learning experience at a more affordable price, delivering value and ultimately promoting confident and successful learners," said Todd Markson, senior vice president of strategy and operations for Cengage.

"Learner success is the end goal in everything we do," said Robin Littleworth, chief operating officer at Unizin. "The services offered by Cengage are an opportunity for our Members to further inform course design and development efforts aimed at improving the learner experience and student achievement."