SAS Debuts New Education Offerings
Software analytics provider SAS is making a major investment in education through the launch of four new offerings that it says will enhance the learning experience.
First, SAS Viya for Learners is a cloud-based platform that aims to put advanced analytics in the hands of higher education leaders and students. Through using the SAS software, educators will be able to teach students how to use the SAS suite of analytical offerings for free and students will gain the ability to create visualizations of their work in the programming language of their choice.
Cortex is a new simulation game from SAS and business school HEC Montreal that teaches students analytics and predictive modeling skills. Through the game, students can compete to create models to support a fictional charitable organization's fundraising efforts; the models are ranked based on quality and their results.
SAS is also adding new educational opportunities through certifications, including specialist level SAS certifications in machine learning, natural language and computer vision, and forecasting and optimization. The company is partnering with open-badge platform Acclaim to create digital badges for SAS credentials that can be added to online résumés, social media and e-mail signatures.
Lastly, SAS is partnering with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America to offer a CodeSnaps, a free app from Curriculum Pathways that teaches students coding basics through mastering the control of Sphero, an app-enabled robotic ball, using code and an iPad. SAS is donating CodeSnaps kits to BGCA chapters in Austin, Dallas and Houston.
More information on SAS educational offerings can be found here.
About the Author
Sara Friedman is a reporter/producer for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe covering education policy and a wide range of other public-sector IT topics.
Friedman is a graduate of Ithaca College, where she studied journalism, politics and international communications.
Friedman can be contacted at sfriedman@1105media.com or follow her on Twitter @SaraEFriedman.
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