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Pittsburgh CLO plans online theater education classes - TribLIVE

The Lafayette Online Academy is planning a move into a larger standalone space as the virtual learning program continues to grow and online learning is increasingly in the spotlight as parents and children navigate uncertain educational terrain amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

On May 13, the Lafayette Parish School Board granted authority to the Lafayette Parish School System to renegotiate a lease with Mendoza Real Estate for a property at the intersection of Ambassador Caffery Parkway and Ridge Road. The property, formerly home to POSH Preowned, has been vacant for months, said Kyle Bordelon, LPSS facilities and planning director.

The site is under contract until October, but LPSS is looking to terminate the lease early to move the online academy into the space. The current building includes an open concept main space with small offices along one wall, bathrooms and a break room or meeting space. It was originally a gas station, but the building was renovated when POSH moved into the space about five years ago, Bordelon said.

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The building would require few changes; the main needs include the addition of between 30 and 40 computers with accompanying computer tables and other office furniture, he said.

The Lafayette Online Academy would then relocate from Southside High School to the site in the 3300 block of Ambassador Caffery Parkway, a high traffic area thatll offer the program greater visibility. Located on a bus route, its also accessible for students who need to visit the facility, Lafayette Online Academy Principal Jared Coutee said.

The exact timeline for the move is still being decided, he said.

The online academy launched four years ago as an alternative to a traditional classroom environment. Before its founding, the school system utilized online learning for credit recovery and high school summer school learning, he said.

Last year, the program served about 200 students in grades K-12 and the online academy graduated about 40 students. Each year since its launch, the program has attracted new students, the principal said. Enrollment is offered year-round.

The whole goal is to make things as flexible as possible for students and familiesits a very flexible set up and rather than a student molding themselves around a program, we design something for them, Coutee said. We want to meet the needs of modern families.

Students follow a tailored online curriculum and complete coursework through the platform Edgenuity. Benchmarks are set but students can access the program 24 hours a day and set their own pace. Built-in tools include read aloud options in multiple languages, transcripts of teacher lessons and accommodations like extended time, Coutee said.

The flexibility of a virtual classroom is backed up with full school support by two certified LPSS teachers and a school counselor. The teachers work primarily with sixth- through 12th-grade students and can work through difficult lessons, review test materials, offer tutoring, proctor in-person exams and generally provide all classroom-type support services at their main office, he said.

The kindergarten through fifth-grade students are largely managed through a partnership with Fuel Education, a digital education services company, the principal said.

The teachers also tightly track student progress and performance data in real time, Coutee said. Edgenuity allows the teachers to monitor a students progression through lessons, quizzes and tests to ensure theyre meeting benchmarks. If they slow too much, or fail an element too many times, the teachers will be alerted for intervention.

The students struggle may be tied to how theyre approaching the course, the arrangement of their work schedule or their note taking skills. The LPSS teachers review their work, meet with the student and diagnose those problems, he said.

[Edgenuity] is really innovative and advanced but its simple to use. You can utilize the greatest courseware but its important to have great teachers behind that, and I think we have both at Lafayette Online Academy, Coutee said.

Theres not a clear picture of how the novel coronavirus pandemic will impact enrollment in the online academy, but Coutee said he anticipates there could be increased interest in a non-traditional learning environment as concerns persist about students returning to campuses in the fall and what school will look like.

Coutee said he and his staff are prepared for increased enrollment should that happen. Scaling the program is quick and flexible; the main requirement would be hiring additional teachers if needed and ensuring theres adequate numbers of computer stations at their main office to serve students, he said.

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Vincent June, vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, has been appointed interim chancellor at South Louisiana Community College.

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Passenger traffic at Lafayette Regional Airport is starting to bounce back this month after it plummeted due to the coronavirus shutdown.

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The Lafayette Online Academy is planning a move into a larger standalone space as the virtual learning program continues to grow and online le

Discount retailer Tuesday Morning plans to close about 230 low-performing stores after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Wednesda

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Lafayette Online Academy moving to Ambassador Caffery as online education enters spotlight - The Advocate

Like most community college professors, I find the end of finals week as much of a relief for me as it is for the students. I love teaching, but the last few weeks of the semester are tough this year, especially with remote learning, mandated and courses shifted online.

However, this year when I submitted my final grades for the semester, all I felt was an overwhelming sadness. I hope my students can come back next year.

Teaching community college was a nearly impossible task before COVID-19. And even with a Ph.D. in political science, most days I wish I also had formal training in social work, counseling, and pedagogy as well.

My students dont meet the profile of the imagined typical college student. In many of the discussions surrounding whether or not students can return to campus in the fall, these students needs are at risk of being left out of the discussion altogether.

In the fall of 2019, around 18.2 million students were enrolled in an institution of higher education, with 5.3 million attending public two-year colleges. Community colleges disproportionally serve students of color.

In 2017, 44 percent of Hispanic undergraduates and 35 percent of Black undergraduates were enrolled in community colleges, as opposed to 31 percent of white undergraduates.

Two-year schools are vital to the economic health of rural communities. Two-thirds of all public two-year colleges serve rural areas accounting for the enrollment of 3.4 million students.

These community college students face unique economic challenges. Thirty-seven percent of community college students have a family income of less than $20,000. Approximately 50 percent of community college students are housing insecure, 39 percent work full-time jobs while in school, and 29 percent are parents.

While it may seem as if community college students with commitments to work and childcare might flourish in an online environment, the COVID-19 crisis and online education have created additional barriers to student success.

If plans for reopening in colleges in the fall do not take these students unique challenges into account, they may fail to return to school altogether.

Initial financial aid data bears out these concerns. As of April 15, there were almost 250,000 fewer returning FAFSA applicants than last year from the lowest income bracket, which is families making $25,000. This data suggests that roughly a quarter of a million fewer low-income students will return to college in the fall as compared to last year.

In addition, applications for Pell Grants for returning students whose family income is less than $25,000 fell by 25 percent from March 15 to April 15 relative to 2019 numbers, suggesting that many students made the decision not to return after courses moved online in the spring.

The question of if and how colleges can safely open in the fall is certainly important. But it is just as important that colleges and state governments ask, How can we make college accessible in a post-COVID world?

The first part of the equation is to discover how community colleges can retain low-income students in the fall. One way would be to offer different course modalities schools that would encourage low-income students to participate.

When classes moved online in the spring, many of my colleagues at four-year universities were encouraged to move classes onto zoom. However, our administrators reminded us that students had not originally signed up for online education and may not have computer or internet access necessary to take an online class. In rural Texas, where I teach, 1/3 of households do not have high-speed internet access.

As a result, I focused on making the remainder of my class very low tech. If students could not access a computer or the online platform, they could snap a picture of a handwritten homework assignment and text it to me.

For the fall semester, however, we are moving our classes to a hyper-flex format. Hyflex teaching is getting a lot of buzz in higher ed because it can accommodate social distancing requirements in the classroom, allow professors to check-in with students face-to-face, and be moved fully online quickly.

But hyflex requires teachers and students to have access to a lot of technology, so likely it will leave rural and low-income students behind.

Rather than focusing on the best way to simulate the face-to-face experience, community collegesand even some four-year schools need to ask how they can meet students where they are.

Arizona State University is planning on offering two types of online classes in the fall. Students who have high-speed internet and regular work schedules (or no work schedules) can take synchronous classes online. However, students with complicated work schedules or spottier internet connections can sign up for asynchronous class and complete work on their own schedules.

Perhaps there are other ways community colleges could consider tailoring classes to the needs of low-income students. Many colleges expanded pass/fail options in the spring as education moved online. Colleges and state regulators alike should consider being more lenient next year as well.

One option would be for community colleges to offer paired-down, low-tech versions of a limited number of their general education classes on a pass/fail basis.

Ultimately, COVID-19 has highlighted the existing failure in our social safety net. Community college students juggling full-time jobs, childcare and school were already asked to do the impossible. It is unacceptable that in the year 2020 so many students dont have reliable internet access.

In-office hours I often find myself working through issues that are not directly related to class with my students. The most heartbreaking conversations revolve around situations I cant really do very much about. I can help a student study more efficiently or manage their time more effectively, but all the daily planners in the world are not going to fix the fact that my students are often juggling working full-time, childcare, and school.

What policymakers, educators, school administrators and funders need to address is how to keep students from the lowest income brackets in school in the fall.Because not doing so will fail them fully.

Katie Scofield has a Ph.D. in Political Science from Indiana University, with a focus on comparative constitutional law. She teaches Federal and Texas Government at Blinn College.

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All In this together? Don't forget the community college students | TheHill - The Hill

HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN) announced today the launch of K12 Learning Solutions, a new suite of online and blended education services, curriculum, training, and support tailored to meet schools and districts online learning goals and ensure student, teacher, and parent success.

With K12 On-Demand, K12 Blended, and Full-Time Online school models, as well as K12 Training Options for teachers, parents, and administrators, K12 Learning Solutions delivers robust online and blended learning options for seamless education delivery and long-term academic success.

K12 Learning Solutions provides access to an online education delivery platform; engaging curriculum covering core subjects, career readiness education, and hundreds of electives; and administrator, teacher, and parent training to succeed in the online environment.

Online education is no longer a distant concept for Americas schools; its very much our present reality, said Scott Durand, K12s Senior Vice President and General Manager of K12 Learning Solutions. K12 Learning Solutions empowers schools and districts to offer the best of both an online and in-person learning experience and gives school leaders the flexibility to quickly respond to changing needs.

In a survey conducted by Morning Consult, 85% of parents said U.S. public schools should be prepared and equipped to shift to an online learning environment by next fall. And in the wake of pandemic-related school building closures, the majority of parents (82%) think more resources and training for teachers in online instruction would improve learning at home.

K12 has more than 20 years of experience delivering online education to students across the country and has worked with more than 2,000 schools and districts across all 50 states to help tailor local solutions for personalized online and blended learning.

Communities need to make education work in the current reality of the pandemic, but online learning can be more than an emergency response, said Durand. K12 has developed specialized expertise over two decades in the design, implementation, and operational support of blended and online learning programs, and we look forward to partnering with districts to modernize and prepare their students for the world today and tomorrow.

K12 Learning Solutions partners with districts to understand their goals, assess online learning readiness, and develop a plan to deliver online education that meets their unique objectives.

With K12 On-Demand, school districts will be prepared to switch to an online learning model in an emergency. Designed to be accessible when needed for unexpected school closures, K12 On-Demand will equip district staff to make the seamless temporary switch to online instruction, so students can continue learning with minimal disruption during weather events, natural disasters, and public health crises.

With K12s Blended Option, districts will set up a personalized, future-ready learning experience for students with online courses that complement their in-person offerings throughout the year not just in an emergency. Schools can offer an expanded menu of core courses and electives taught by K12 teachers or their own staff, including content from K12s Destinations Career Academy portfolio of career-focused education programming. Students will benefit from project based learning and virtual experiences that prepare them for the increasingly digital workforce.

K12 Learning Solutions also offers districts the option to build a Full-Time Online school, to better support more members of their community as they meet a range of learning needs.

K12 Training options offer teacher, parent, and administrator development programs to help districts succeed with online education delivery. K12 provides instructional resources, tools, and platforms to implement proven practices in online instruction, ensuring success and confidence in everyones online learning experience.

To learn more about K12 Learning Solutions, visit k12.com/learning-solutions.

About K12

K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN) helps students of all ages reach their full potential through inspired teaching and personalized learning. The company provides innovative, high-quality online and blended education solutions, curriculum, and programs to students, schools and enterprises in primary, secondary and post-secondary settings. K12 is a premier provider of career readiness education services and a leader in skills training, technology staffing and talent development. The company provides programs which combine traditional high school academics with career technical education through its Destinations Career Academies. Adult learning is delivered through K12s subsidiary, Galvanize, a leader in developing capabilities for individuals and corporations in technical fields such as software engineering and data science. K12 has delivered millions of courses over the past decade and serves students in all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The company is a proud sponsor of the Future of School, a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the gap between the pace of technology in daily life and the pace of change in education. More information can be found at K12.com, destinationsacademy.com, jobshadowweek.com, and galvanize.com.

Link:
Schools in the Driver's Seat: K12 Learning Solutions to Provide Tailored Online Education Services - Business Wire

The education group posted FY 2019 revenue of $208 million, a year-over-year increase of nearly 1.7%

() said it expectsto significantly scale revenues in 2020driven by a rapid shift toonline learningas the transformed companyreportedfinancial and business results for full-year 2019 and for the first quarter of 2020.

The company became a new entity on March 30, 2020, following a merger between EdtechX Holdings, the world's first special purpose acquisition company focused on investing in the education services and education technology industry, and Chinese omnichannel education group Meten.

For full-year 2019, the group posted revenue of 1.44 billion renminbi (US$208 million), a year-over-year increase of 1.7% compared to 1.42 billion renminbi in 2018. During the fourth quarter of 2019, the firm clocked up revenue of 352.9 million renminbi (US$50.7 million) compared to 359.6 million renminbi a year earlier.

In thefirst quarter ended March 31, 2020,the company clocked up revenue of 181.6 million renminbi (US$25.6 million),compared to 314.8 million renminbi it posted a year earlier as the coronavirus pandemic forced a temporary closure of its learning centers in early February. The company noted that despite the challenges posed by the pandemic the "resilient performance" in the first quarter was supported by "accelerated growth in online English language training."

The firm reported a net loss for full-year2019 of 225.1 million renminbi (US$32.3 million) compared to a profit of 53.4 million renminbi in 2018. The net loss during the fourth quarter2019 came in at 165.5 million renminbi (US$23.8 million), up from 8.4 million renminbi in fourth quarter 2018.

In a statement, Alan Peng, chief executive officer of Meten EdtechX told shareholders that the firms 2019 financial performance was significantly impacted by one-off investments, including a curriculum upgrade, restructuring and integration of the ABC Junior business, and the one-off accrued expense from accepting students from WEBi, a major competitor that wound down its business during 2019.

TheShenzhen-based company took quick action to adjust its model in light of the pandemic.In response to the closures, the company quickly shifted to an online learning model, with approximately 19,000 students, or 52% of its offline student base, taking up online courses with the company - excluding those enrolled on the Likeshuo platform. An additional 1,400 offline students enrolled onto the Likeshuo online platform during the first quarter of 2020, it said.

Thanks to our established online ELT business, a large portion of our offline students took the opportunity to enroll in our online classes, which led to a higher number of hours delivered online versus the same quarter of the previous year, Peng noted, adding that the increase in online revenues only partially offset the impact of the learning center closures.

Looking ahead, we believe that events of 2020 will accelerate the trend of growing acceptance of online education which can effectively be combined with face-to-face lessons for an optimal learning experience, he added. At Meten EdtechX, we are well placed to benefit from this trend and remain fully committed to our medium-term growth strategy.

The company ended 1Q 2020 with 152.2 million renminbi (US$21.5 million) in cash and equivalents. It recently completed a private placement of US$36 million to boost the expansion of Metens offering of English language teaching, its online platform Likeshuo and to fund future acquisitions.

Contact Angela at [emailprotected]

Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas

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Meten EdtechX Education expects to significantly scale revenue in 2020 on shift to online learning as it posts 1Q numbers - Proactive Investors USA...

NEW YORK, May 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Increased internet penetration around the world is driving the demand for digital education market

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05902702/?utm_source=PRN

The global digital education market size is forecasted to grow from USD 8.4 billion in 2020 to USD 33.2 billion by 2025, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 31.4% during the forecast period. Major factors expected to drive the growth of the digital education market include increased internet penetration around the world, reduced infrastructure cost and increased scalability using online learning, and growing demand for microlearning. However, lack of face-to-face interaction and direct monitoring might hinder the growth of this market. Technological advancements such as virtual classrooms represent significant opportunity in near future for the companies that are currently offering online learning services

Based on end user, the individual learners and academic institutions segment to grow at a higher rate during the forecast period This segment includes self-motivated individual applicants for the online courses and educational institutes and universities that are availing the online education services for their students.As there are many individuals scattered over the globe that want to learn different subjects, demand for the online courses from individual learners is very high.

Flexibility of time and place and comparatively low cost are the two key attraction points for the individual learners that attract them toward the online courses.Universities can greatly improve their effectiveness of their courses by availing online education to their students.

Though large number of universities and educational institutions still run the traditional educational models, many of them are adapting to this change.

Based on learning type, the self-paced online education segment to hold a larger chunk of the digital education market share during the forecast period Self-paced online education courses do not follow a set schedule; hence, all the learning resources are readily available which gives end users an opportunity to absorb and retain information at a higher rate than in a classroom setting.Self-paced online courses do not require instructor and student to be available at the same time during the entire course.

Instructor can record video or provide content that students can learn from without involvement of the instructor. Unlike self-paced digital education courses, instructor-led digital education courses follow a particular set of schedules with a specified time for the availability of learning resources for a time-bound and effective learning.

Among regions, Asia Pacific to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period Demand for online learning in APAC is growing at faster pace as governments of countries in this region are taking steps to improve the digital infrastructure and purchasing power of the students in this region is growing rapidly.The region includes countries such as China, Japan, and India.

The market size in APAC is expected to grow at the highest rate than any other region considered for the study. The expected growth can be attributed to the high economic growth witnessed by the major countries in this region. Moreover, the rapid modernization and increased penetration of Fourth Generation (4G) have accelerated the adoption of online surfers, ultimately leading to the growth of the digital education market in APAC.Increased connectivity is directly impacting the growth and adoption of the digital education market in the region.

Moreover, organizations in APAC are rapidly adopting various strategies, including partnerships, collaborations, mergers and acquisitions, and product launches and upgradations to cater to APAC-based learners, and this is expected to boost the growth of the market size in APAC.

In-depth interviews were conducted with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), marketing directors, innovation and technology directors, and executives from various key organizations operating in the digital education market.

The breakup of the profiles of the primary participants is given below: By Company Type: Tier 1 20%, Tier 2 35%, and Tier 3 45% By Designation: C-Level 40%, Directors 20%, Managers15%, and Others -25% By Region: North America 35%, Europe 30%, APAC 20%, and RoW 15%

The following key digital education vendors are profiled in the report: Coursera (US) edX (US) Pluralsight (US) Edureka (India) Alison (Ireland) Udacity (US) Udemy (US) Miradax (Spain) Jigsaw Academy (India) iversity (Germany) Intellipaat (India) Edmodo (US) FutureLearn (UK) LinkedIn (US) NovoEd (US) XuetangX (China) Federica EU (Italy) Linkstreet Learning (India) Khan Academy (US) Kadenze (Spain)

Research Coverage The digital education market is segmented by learning type (self-paced online education and instructor led online education), end user, course type, and region. A detailed analysis of the key industry players has been undertaken to provide insights into their business overview; services; key strategies; new services and product launches; partnerships, agreements, and collaborations; business expansions; and competitive landscape associated with the digital education market.

Reasons to Buy the Report

The report would help the market leaders and new entrants in the following ways: It comprehensively segments the digital education market and provides the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall market and its subsegments across different regions. It would help stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provide information on the key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities. It would help stakeholders understand their competitors better and gain more insights to enhance their position in the market. The competitive landscape section includes competitor ecosystem, new product developments, partnerships, and expansions.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05902702/?utm_source=PRN

About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

__________________________ Contact Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001

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The global digital education market size is forecasted to grow from USD 8.4 billion in 2020 to USD 33.2 billion by 2025, at a Compound Annual Growth...

The current pandemic has adversely affected every aspect of human life from health, business, and leisure to education. Schools and colleges are closed and there are many doubts about the short-term and long-term impact of the measures being used to tackle the problem. Even after the pandemic subsides, its ripple effects will have a permanent impact on education.

While most educational institutions have shifted to online teaching, this approach will be challenging in the long term. Amid what is likely to be a deep economic recession, students and parents have begun to question what type of higher education provides the best value (if any). COVID-19 will also exacerbate some of the pre-existing and systemic challenges faced by higher education providers.

Since independence, the higher education system in India has undergone a development spurt, entailing drastic improvements in the number of establishments, enrolment rate, faculty positions, infrastructure development and provision of facilities and technological advancements. India boasts the second-most expanded higher education system globally. The regulatory roadmap of this sector is curated by the University Grants Commission (UGC), which devises appropriate guidelines and standards, keeps a check on the extent to which they are implemented countrywide, and aligns the functions of the central and the state governments. However, unlike the West, we have never developed a backup online education plan.

Now, COVID-19 is forcing parents to become tech-savvy in a short span of time to help their children learn. This may become the new normal with far-reaching implications for students from lower economic groups. Its effects need to be studied further so that the experience becomes valuable in overhauling the Indian higher education system. Unlike the West, we have never developed a backup online education dissemination plan.

According to the 2018-19 All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), there are 993 universities, 39,931 colleges and 10,725 independent institutions nationwide. Unfortunately, higher education institutions are concentrated mostly in urban areas, and that is the reason for the poor Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER). However, the GER has increased during the last five years, from 24.3 in 2014-15 to 26.3 in 2018-19. An effective online education system can mitigate this challenge, bring more objectivity and transparency and GER can reach beyond 80%.

There are challenges as well. Many students today travel abroad to get a good education, primarily due to the lack of globally ranked education institutions in India. Harvard University has around 21.1% international students in its entire student body in both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. At Oxford, this number is 43%, with students from more than 150 countries. Almost 30% of the student body of the National University of Singapore, included among the league of premier Asian universities, comprises international students. In contrast, the rate of enrolment of international students in Indian institutions is considerably less. At the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, the number is only one per cent; Jamia Hamdard recently recommended as an Institution of Eminence (IoE) by the Ministry of Human Resources Development has about 7%.

According to the 2018-19 All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), a total of 47,427 international students are enrolled in different Indian universities. The majority belong to Indias neighbouring countries. COVID-19 will definitely limit their international travel and the proportion of foreign students enrolled in Indian Universities will also reduce.

The above description is an argument towards the Indian education system waiting for a revamp. If India is to be featured on a larger scale on the global education platforms, this is the time. Significant focus needs to be laid on technology and innovation with improvisations in the IT infrastructure.

Such a crisis can be turned into an opportunity to align with upcoming prospects. This is the perfect occasion to understand possible threats, spot loopholes and work on capacity building. The Finance Minister has announced that the top 100 universities in the country will be permitted to start online courses by May 30, 2020, which is a welcome step. This will help in increasing the GER substantially with increased enrolment from tier 2 and tier 3 cities. We have never given online or distance mode of education as much weightage as the regular mode. This is the right time to change this mindset.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) and other regulatory bodies need to revise their protocols so that online education is made more mainstream. Faculty selection criteria should also be amended to check for technology friendliness. The current disruption in the education sector will lead to a paradigm shift in the learning process. This will bring more transparency and address to deliver quality education on a large scale while ensuring inclusive e-learning. Paul Reville, the Francis Keppel Professor of Practice of Educational Policy and Administration at Harvard Graduate School of Education, says, We dont simply want to frantically struggle to restore the status quo because the status quo wasnt operating at an effective level and certainly wasnt serving all of our children fairly. The already existing financial and technological disparities among various students have been made more apparent by the current scenario.

The online education system cannot function unless there is a reliable backup of Information Technology infrastructure. Very few universities have a good quality IT-enabled education system, which also has Internet connectivity with good bandwidth and a robust security system, in place. Till now, we never realised the need for an online university with universal, curriculum-linked resources for teaching and learning integrated curriculum widely delivered with a blended model. There are opportunities for universities to leverage the Internet and offer an anytime, anywhere, anyone model of higher education. The real challenge will be professional courses like Medicine, Nursing and Engineering. The education system should also focus on creating innovative career opportunities as we could see a complete change in the future job markets.

With the young population in India being a large number, policy makers should look at developing a consortium-type cluster university platform. A group of premier institutions like IoEs can form a virtual cluster education model to offer low-cost, high-quality, professional education that does not need separate campuses or geographic boundaries. For cost-effectiveness and economies of scale, cluster universities can share administrative resources to reduce duplication of activities. Such IT-enabled universities will have to deal with a large student base and, therefore, cannot falter on infrastructure. This requires enormous investment and the majority of the Indian institutions cannot afford that unless the government provides support. The national education budget should absorb the cost of these technologies for at least all the IoEs regardless of their status as private or public.

India spends considerably less on education compared to many other countries. The operational expenditures of Harvard University and Oxford University are $5.2 billion and $3.1 billion per annum, respectively. On the contrary, as per the annual budget of 2019-2020, the total allocation for the higher education sector in India is less than $ 5.0 billion. This implies that the entire nations higher education budget is less than Harvard Universitys annual operational expenditure alone!

The IoE tag permits certain institutions to admit up to 30% international students with no restrictions levied on the fee charged from them. They can also hire foreign faculty up to 25% of the total number. With the focus on online or distance learning, hiring foreign faculty will be easy and cost-effective. In the recent past, India has become one of the fastest-growing sources of outbound students. The latest trends have demonstrated an increase in the number of students pursuing undergraduate education abroad, in contrast to earlier scene when students migrated for a post-graduate degree or a doctorate. Many students now seek admissions in foreign institutions immediately after high school, which is evidence of the availability of buying power, demand and a favourable market.

According to the data recorded by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, nearly 753,000 Indian students were enrolled in foreign universities as of July 2018. Another study conducted by ASSOCHAM and Tata Institute of Social Sciences, reveals that the expenditure of Indian students on foreign education amounts to $7 billion or around 45,000 crore a year. This outbound travel can be reduced significantly if global levels of quality can be obtained from Indian universities. Also, IoEs like Jamia Hamdard, IITs and IIMs can enhance their capacity through online mode. While this will trigger a competition to attract Indian students, the country will benefit enormously in the long run and emerge as a world leader in quality education with global rankings coming as a bonus!

Shibu John is Professor and former Dean, School of Management and Business Studies, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi. Seyed Ehtesham Hasnain is Vice Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard and Former Vice Chancellor, University of Hyderabad, and Former Invited Professor, IIT Delhi, and Former Member, University Grants Commission (UGC).

An edited version of this article appeared in print.

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The time is NOW - The Hindu

Amid the COVID-19 chaos, the university system got transformed into virtual substitutes. As part of professional responsibilities, the educators were instructed to conduct online classes to keep up with the course programme. This turned out to be an insurmountable task for teachers. It was due to not just a lack of awareness of online teaching software but also a limited access to academic resources at home. This was further exacerbated by the need to manage the work-life balance amid growing chaos to arrange the paraphernalia needed to meet the needs of students in times of social distancing.

Though the teaching community rose up to the occasion, it led us to closely examine the multiple facets of online education in a diverse country like ours.

Drawing from my teaching experience at Aligarh Muslim University, which is a Central university providing higher education to students belonging to diverse socio-economic sections of society, I observed that about 30% of the total class was in attendance during the online lectures. While this got me worried about the majority of the class being left out of the ambit of online education, I began reaching out to the students on their mobile phones and e-mails. That threw open a Pandoras box of socio-economic problems before me, ranging from intermittent Internet connectivity and frequent power cuts to financial constraints in procuring a high-speed Internet connection and limited access to digital literacy and devices among college goers in the country.

While the painstaking efforts of teachers did benefit those hailing from privileged backgrounds, it left behind the vulnerable sadly, the majority. For students who had to opt out because they were forced to partake in agricultural livelihoods to sustain their economically weaker families, the virtual world with the promise of a brighter future looks dimmer and their chances of being pulled out of poverty slimmer than before. Students from poverty-stricken families now have a much widened gap to bridge before them between the "essentials" and the luxury of accomplishing academic goals. It would be even more challenging for the underprivileged to crack competitive examinations in the absence of a level playing field in terms of equal access to learning opportunities and resources.

This is not to say the we protest against technology adaptation, digital literacy, and online learning platforms, but can we as a nation afford to overlook the underprivileged and march ahead with a sense of accomplishment with the just privileged urban sections? Obviously not. This will not only dampen the spirit and dreams of the current lot, but also the aspirations of the future generations to come. It is incumbent upon us to urgently imbibe the lessons from the pandemic. Some measures that could be taken to bridge the learning gap include extra tutorials in the successive semesters and special teaching assistance in the form of student mentors for every student who missed out during the lockdown. It would become more challenging for the students as well as faculty.

We need urgent policy interventions advancing diversity and inclusion in higher education to be implemented at the national level. To begin with, we need to promote and ensure digital literacy among the masses, primarily uninterrupted Internet connectivity and mobile network signals in rural areas. Additionally, universities must fully fund digital access to user-friendly online teaching platforms to benefit a majority of the students in Central universities. These primary steps will not only bridge the learning gap but also help us realise our potential as a nation to evolve beyond the "essentials".

a.chaudhary.cm@amu.ac.in

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Originally posted here:
The divide in digital education - The Hindu

Photo credit: Getty

You don't need an Ivy League education to get a world-class education.

There are many online education websites that offer academic courses for a fraction of the cost of traditional colleges and universities, making them ideal for lifelong learners.

Here are7 outstanding websites to accesstonsof academic courses - for free.

Top 7 Online Education Websites

The following online education websites offer thousands of online coursesfor students and life-long learners alike. While many are fee-based courses, you can also find many free courses as well.

1. Khan Academy

Khan Academy is a non-profit whose missions is "toprovide a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere." Khan Academy is free for both learners and teachers, and offerslessonsfor students from kindergarten through early college, with topic including math, grammar, science, history, AP exams, SAT and more.Khan Academy's founding partners include, among others, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Google, Ann & Jon Doerr and Reed Hastings.

Sample Free Courses: Algebra, Geometry, Statistics & Probability

Founded by Harvard and MIT, edX is a global non-profit that seeks to remove three barriers of traditional education: cost, location and access. edX has more than 20 million learners and 2,400 courses from a majority of the top-ranked universities in the world. Open edX is the open source platform behind edX, and it's open to educators and technologists who want to develop new educational tools. In addition to free courses, edX also offers courses for a fee.

Sample Free Courses: The Architectural Imagination (Harvard), Financial Analysis for Decision Making (Babson), Omnichannel Strategy & Management (Dartmouth)

Courserahas more than 35 million learners, 150 university partners, 2,700 courses, 250 specializations and four degrees. In addition to free courses, Coursera offers courses generally ranging from $29 - $99. Specializations and degrees are priced higher. Course instructors include experts from the world's top colleges and universities, and courses include recorded video lectures, community discussion forums and both graded and peer-reviewed coursework. You can also receive a course certificate for each course you complete.

Sample Free Courses:Machine Learning (Stanford), The Science of Well-Being (Yale), Successful Negotiation (University of Michigan)

Udemy, a global education marketplace, has 30 million students, 100,000 courses in 50 languages, 42,000 instructors and 22 million minutes of video instruction. Unlike other online education platformsdriven by content fromcolleges and universities, Udemy allows content creators to curate their own courses and teach them online.

Sample Free Courses: Introduction to Python Programming

TED-Ed is TED's award-winning youth and education arm whose mission is to share and spread ideas from teachers and students. TED-Ed has a global network of more than 250,000 teachers that serves millions of teachers and students around the world every week. TED-Ed includes innovative content such as original animated videos and a platform for teachers to create interactive lessons.

Sample Free Courses:The Mysterious Science of Pain, How Do Self-Driving Cars See, What Causes Turbulence

Codeacademy is an interactive platform that teaches you how to code in multiple different programming languages. Most free courses can be completed in less than 11 hours. Codeacademy has helped train more than 45 million learners in topics such as web development, programming, computer science and data science. Codeacademy alums work at Google, Facebook, IBM and Bloomberg, among other top companies. Codeacademy also offers a premium plan for a monthly fee.

Sample Free Courses:multiple programming languages

7.Stanford Online

Stanford Online, an education initiative at Stanford University, offers free online courses as well as professional certificates, advanced degrees and executive education. Stanford Online offers courses from Stanford's undergraduate and graduate schools, including Stanford Law School, Stanford Business School and Stanford Medical School, among others.

Sample Free Courses: Introduction to Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Through The Lens of Venture Capital, How To Learn Math

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose to supplement your existing education or learn a new skill, it's never too late to become a life-long learner. These online education courses can help you gain valuable knowledge, earn a certificate, complete a degree or simply expand your horizon.

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Here Are The Top 7 Websites For Free Online Education

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Udemy, the largest global marketplace for learning and teaching online, today released Online Education Steps Up: What the World is Learning (from Home), a special data report that provides a comprehensive look at online learning and teaching around the globe as the COVID-19 pandemic, shelter-in-place orders, and social distancing impact the world.

The new report analyzes global trends on the platform showing how people are turning to online learning to upskill, stay busy, and increase productivity. As remote working becomes the new normal, the findings reveal significantly increased demand globally across every segment:

Udemys mission to improve lives through learning has never been more vital than during todays challenging times, said Darren Shimkus, President, Udemy for Business. We remain committed to providing people and businesses around the world with affordable access to the skills they need today and in the future. The trends weve seen over the last two months represent a significant acceleration in the transformation to a new Future of Work.

The State of Online Learning

Online learning has surged as people look for ways to be productive while staying at home. Strong global growth in top-ranking professional skills includes Neural Networks (61% increase), Communication Skills (131%), and Growth Mindset (206%). Passion topics like Pilates (402% increase), Technical Drawing (920%), and Ukulele (292%), have surged as well.

Demand also correlates with shelter-in-place orders around the world. For example, the data shows a 130% growth in enrollments in the U.S., 200% in India, 320% in Italy, and 280% in Spain.

The State of Learning within Organizations

COVID-19 has translated into increased reliance on online learning as companies shift to remote work and move away from travel and in-person events and training. There has been an immense surge in enrollments in courses related to Telecommuting (21,598% increase) and Virtual Teams (1,523%), as well as Decision Making (277%), Self Discipline (237%), and Stress Management (235%).

The State of Online Teaching

There is also an increase in course creation as experts around the world are looking to share their knowledge as well as supplement their income through online teaching. Categories with the highest surge in new courses include Office Productivity (159% increase), Health and Fitness (84%), IT & Software (77%), and Personal Development (61%).

About Udemy

With a mission to improve lives through learning, Udemy is the worlds largest online learning destination that helps students, businesses, and governments gain the skills they need to compete in todays economy. Millions of students are mastering new skills from 57,000 expert instructors teaching over 150,000 online courses in topics from programming and data science to leadership and team building. For companies, Udemy for Business offers an employee training and development platform with subscription access to 4,000+ courses, learning analytics, as well as the ability to host and distribute their own content. Udemy for Government is designed to upskill workers and prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. Eighty percent of Fortune 100 companies trust Udemy for employee upskilling. Udemy is privately held and headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Denver, Brazil, India, Ireland, and Turkey. Udemy investors include Insight Partners, Prosus (Naspers Ventures), Norwest Venture Partners, and Stripes Group.

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New Udemy Report Shows Surge in Global Online Education in Response to COVID-19 - Business Wire