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.

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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.

Read the original:
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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The divide in digital education - The Hindu

Written by Karina Tsui, CNN

Today, we can alter our bodies in previously unimaginable ways, whether that's implanting microchips, fitting advanced prosthetic limbs or even designing entirely new senses.

So-called transhumanists -- people who seek to improve their biology by enhancing their bodies with technology -- believe that our natural condition inhibits our experience of the world, and that we can transcend our current capabilities through science.

Ideas that are "technoprogressive" to some are controversial to others. But to photographer David Vintiner, they are something else altogether: beautiful.

Neil Harbisson was born with achromatism, or total colorblindness. In 2004, he had an antenna implanted into his skull that allows him to perceive colors as audible vibrations. Credit: David Vintiner

Designing the world's first home computers

Made in collaboration with art director and critic Gem Fletcher, the book features a variety of people who identify, to some degree, as "transhuman" -- including a man with bionic ears that sense changes in atmospheric pressure, a woman who can "feel" earthquakes taking place around the world and technicians who have developed lab-made organs.

Fletcher was first introduced to the transhumanist subculture via the London Futurist Group, an organization that explores how technology can counter future crises. Upon meeting some of its members, the London-based art director approached Vintiner with the idea of photographing them in a series of portraits.

Describing himself as an "eyeborg," Rob Spence installed a wireless video camera in place of his right eye. Credit: David Vintiner

"Our first shoot was with Andrew Vladimirov, a DIY 'brain hacker,'" Vintiner recalled in a phone interview. "Each time we photographed someone new, we asked for referrals and introductions to other key people within the movement."

One of Vintiner's subjects, James Young, turned to bionics after losing his arm and leg in an accident in 2012. Young had always been interested in biotechnology and was particularly drawn to the aesthetics of science fiction. Visualizing how his body could be "re-built," or even perform enhanced tasks with the help of the latest technology, became part of his recovery process.

But according to the 29-year-old, the options presented to him by doctors were far from exciting -- standard-issue steel bionic limbs with flesh-colored silicone sleeves.

James Young has always been drawn to the aesthetics of science fiction. Following his accident, he came to see "re-building" his body as part of his recovery process. Credit: David Vintiner

"To see what was available was the most upsetting part," Young said in a video interview.

"What the human body can constitute, in terms of tools and technology, is such a blurry thing -- if you think about the arm, it's just a sensory piece of equipment.

"If there was anyone who would get their arm and leg chopped off, it would be me because I'm excited about technology and what it can get done."

China cosmetic surgery apps: Swipe to buy a new face

Japanese gaming giant Konami worked with prosthetics sculptor Sophie de Oliveira Barata to design a set of bionic limbs for Young. The result was an arm and leg made from gray carbon fiber -- an aesthetic partly inspired by Konami's "Metal Gear Solid," one of the then-22-year-old's favorite video games.

Beyond the expected functions, Young's robotic arm features a USB port, a screen displaying his Twitter feed and a retractable dock containing a remote-controlled drone. The limbs are controlled by sensors that convert nerve impulses from Young's spine into physical movements.

"Advanced prosthetics enabled James to change people's perception of (his) disability," said Vintiner of Young, adding: "When you first show people the photographs, they are shocked and disconcerted by the ideas contained within. But if you dissect the ideas, they realize that they are very pragmatic."

James Young's bionic arm features a USB port, a screen linked to his Twitter account and a retractable dock containing a remote-controlled drone. Credit: David Vintiner

Young says it has taken several years for people to appreciate not just the functions of advanced bionic limbs but their aesthetics, too. "Bionic and electronic limbs were deemed scary, purely because of how they looked," he said. "They coincided with the idea that 'disability is not sexy.'"

He also felt there was stigma surrounding bionics, because patients were often given flesh-colored sleeves to conceal their artificial limbs.

What -- and who -- will define beauty in the year 2050?

"Visually, we think that this is the boundary of the human body," Young said, referring to his remaining biological arm. "Opportunities for transhumanists open up because a bionic arm can't feel pain, or it can be instantly replaced if you have the money. It has different abilities to withstand heat and to not be sunburned."

As Vintiner continued shooting the portraits, he felt many of his preconceptions being challenged. The process also raised a profound question: If technology can change what it is to be human, can it also change what it means to be beautiful?

"Most of my (original) work centers around people -- their behavior, character, quirks and stories," he said. "But this project took the concept of beauty to another level."

Liz Parrish claims to be the first person to successfully undergo dual gene therapy to "treat" biological aging. Credit: David Vintiner

Science's impact over our understanding of aesthetics is, to Vintiner, one of the most fascinating aspects of transhumanism. What he discovered, however, was that many in the movement still look toward existing beauty standards as a model for "post-human" perfection.

Speaking to CNN Style in 2018, Hanson said that Sophia's form would resonate with people around the world, and that her appearance was partly inspired by real women including Hanson's wife and Audrey Hepburn, as well as statues of the Egyptian queen Nefertiti.

Related video: Meet Sophia, the robot who smiles and frowns just like us

But with her light hazel eyes, perfectly arched eyebrows, long eyelashes, defined cheekbones and plump lips -- Sophia's appearance arguably epitomizes that of a conventionally beautiful Caucasian woman.

How ancient Egyptian cosmetics influenced our beauty rituals

"When I photographed Ben Goertzel, he vocalized how he took no time to consider how he (himself) looked -- it was of no interest to him," the photographer recalled of the photo shoot.

Vintiner saw a certain irony: that someone who was unconcerned about his own appearance would nonetheless project our preoccupation with beauty through his company's invention.

It also served as a reminder that attractiveness may be more complex than algorithms can ever fathom.

Ben Goertzel, one of the scientists behind Sophia the robot. Credit: David Vintiner

"I fear that if we can design humans without any of the 'flaws' that occur in our biological makeup, things will be pushed further and further towards a level of perfection we can only imagine right now." Vintiner said. "Look at how plastic surgery has altered our perception of beauty in a very short space of time.

"If the transhumanists are right and we, as humans, can live to be several hundreds of years old, our notion of beauty and the very meaning of what it is to be human will change dramatically."

Read more from the original source:
Transhumanism: Meet the cyborgs and biohackers redefining beauty - CNN

All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers.If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. By Alison Foreman2020-05-28 11:00:00 UTC

HBO Max may have just hit the market, but we already know what it's bringing next month.

In June 2020, the streaming service will offer tons of new movie titles like Titanic, Ad Astra, Doctor Sleep, Bridget Jones's Baby, A Cinderella Story, Speed Racer, The Bucket List, The Neverending Story, The Good Liar, Uncle Buck, When Harry Met Sally, and more.

As for TV, HBO Max will debut new seasons of Search Party, Doom Patrol, and Summer Camp Island alongside the series premieres of Perry Mason, Karma, I May Destroy You, and I'll Be Gone in the Dark. Plus, we'll get Seasons 1-24 of South Park and a standup special from Yvonne Orji.

Check out everything coming to HBO Max in June 2020.

After three painful years, Search Party is finally back. The dark comedy from Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers, and Michael Showalter originally premiered on TBS in 2016 with its spectacular second season arriving in 2017. Now, it has been picked up for its third and fourth seasons at HBO Max so if you're new to the search party, now's the perfect time to catch up.

This satirical joyride follows Dory (Alia Shawkat) and her gaggle of entitled friends as they seek to solve the mysterious disappearance of Chantal Witherbottom. Stupidly funny and surprisingly tense, this series checks all the boxes and escalates in ways you can't imagine.

How to watch: Search Party Season 3 premieres June 25 on HBO Max.

A Cinderella Story (6/1) A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song (6/1) A Monster Calls (6/1) A Perfect World (6/1) Ad Astra (6/6) Adventures In Babysitting (6/1) Amelie (6/1) An American Werewolf in London (6/1) Another Cinderella Story (6/1) Bajo el mismo techo (aka Under the Same Roof) (6/19) Beautiful Girls (6/1) Black Beauty (6/1) Bridget Jones's Baby (6/1) Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn (6/19) Cabaret (6/1) Chicago (6/1) Clash Of The Titans (6/1) Cornfield Shipwreck (6/16) Cradle 2 the Grave (6/1) Crash (6/1) David Attenborough's Ant Mountain (6/16) David Attenbouroughs Light on Earth (6/16) DeBugged (6/16) Doctor Sleep (Directors Cut) (6/27) Doubt (6/1) Dragons & Damsels (6/16) Dreaming Of Joseph Lees (6/1) Drop Dead Gorgeous (6/1) Dune (6/1) Ebony: The Last Years of The Atlantic Slave Trade (6/16) El asesino de los caprichos (aka The Goya Murders) (6/12) Elf (6/1) Enter The Dragon (6/1) Entre Nos: The Winners (6/19) Far and Away (6/1) Final Destination (6/1) Final Destination 2 (6/1) Final Destination 3 (6/1) The Final Destination (6/1) Firewall (6/1) First Man (6/16) Flipped (6/1) Forces of Nature (6/1) Ford V. Ferrari (6/20) Frantic (6/1) From Dusk Til Dawn (6/1) Full Metal Jacket (6/1) Gente De Zona: En Letra De Otro (6/1) Going Nuts: Tales from Squirrel World (6/16) Hack the Moon: Unsung Heroes of Apollo (6/16) Hanna (6/1) Havana (6/1) He Got Game (6/1) Heaven Can Wait (6/1) Heidi (6/1) Hello Again (6/1) Hormigas (aka The Awakening of the Ants) (6/26) In Her Shoes (6/1) In Like Flint (6/1) Into the Lost Crystal Caves (6/16) It Takes Two (6/1) Jason Silva: Transhumanism (6/16) Juice (6/1) Knuckleball! (6/16) Leonardo: The Mystery of The Lost Portrait (6/16) License To Wed (6/1) Life (6/1) Lifeforce (6/1) Lights Out (6/1) Like Water For Chocolate (6/1) Looney Tunes: Back in Action (6/1) Love Jones (6/1) Lucy (6/1) Magic Mike (6/1) Mans First Friend (6/16) McCabe and Mrs. Miller (6/1) Misery (6/1) Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (6/1) Mr. Wonderful (6/1) Must Love Dogs (6/1) My Dog Skip (6/1) Mystic River (6/1) New York Minute (6/1) Nights In Rodanthe (6/1) No Reservations (6/1) Ordinary People (6/1) Our Man Flint (6/1) Patch Adams (6/1) Pedro Capo: En Letra Otro (6/1) Penguin Central (6/16) Personal Best (6/1) Pompeii: Disaster Street (6/16) Presumed Innocent (6/1) Pyramids Builders: New Clues (6/16) Ray (6/1) Richie Rich (6/1) Rosewood (6/1) Rugrats Go Wild (6/1) Running on Empty (6/1) Scandalous: The Untold Story of the National Enquirer (6/16) Scanning the Pyramids (6/16) Secondhand Lions (6/1) She's The Man (6/1) Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (6/1) Space Cowboys (6/1) Speed Racer (6/1) Splendor in the Grass (6/1) Summer Catch (6/1) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (6/1) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 (6/1) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3 (6/1) Tess (6/1) The American (6/1) The Bucket List (6/1) The Champ (6/1) The Daunting Fortress of Richard the Lionheart (6/16) The Fountain (6/1) The Good Liar (6/13) The Good Son (6/1) The Goonies (6/1) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (6/1) The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (6/1) The Hunger (6/1) The Iron Giant (6/1) The Last Mimzy (6/1) The Losers (6/1) The Neverending Story (6/1) The Neverending Story II: The Next Chapter (6/1) The Parallax View (6/1) The Stepfather (6/1) The Time Traveler's Wife (6/1) The Woodstock Bus (6/16) Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (6/1) Titanic (6/1) TMNT (6/1) Torch Song Trilogy (6/1) Transhood (6/24) Tsunamis: Facing a Global Threat (6/16) Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie (6/1) Tweety's High-Flying Adventures (6/1) U-571 (6/1) U.S. Marshals (6/1) Unaccompanied Minors (6/1) Uncle Buck (6/1) Veronica Mars (6/1) Versailles Rediscovered: The Sun Kings Vanished Palace (6/16) Vitamania (6/16) Walking and Talking (6/1) We Are Marshall (6/1) Weird Science (6/1) Welcome to Chechnya (6/30) Whale Wisdom (6/16) When Harry Met Sally (6/1) Wild Wild West (6/1) Wonder (6/1) X-Men: First Class (6/1) Youve Got Mail (6/1)

4th & Forever: Muck City: Season 1 (6/1) Adventure Time Distant Lands: BMO (6/25) Age of Big Cats: Season 1 (6/16) Ancient Earth: Season 1 (6/16) Apocalypse: WWI: Season 1 (6/16) Big World in A Small Garden (6/16) Digits: Season 1 (6/16) Doom Patrol: Season 2 Premiere (6/25) Esme & Roy: Season 2A Premiere (6/25) Expedition: Black Sea Wrecks: Season 1 (6/16) #GeorgeWashington (6/16) HBO First Look: The King of Staten Island (6/4) Hurricane the Anatomy: Season 1 (6/16) I May Destroy You: Series Premiere (6/7) Ill Be Gone in the Dark: Docuseries Premiere (6/28) Infinity Train: Season 2 Premiere (6/10) Inside Carbonaro: Season 1 (6/2) Karma: Series Premiere (6/18) King: A Filmed Record Montgomery to Memphis (Part 1 & Part 2): Season 1 (6/16) Looney Tunes (Batch 2): Season 1 (6/16)Perry Mason: Limited Series Premiere (6/21) Popeye (Batch 2): Season 1 (6/16)Realm of the Volga: Season 1 (6/16) Sacred Spaces: Season 1 (6/16) Science vs. Terrorism: Season 1 (6/16) Search Party: Season 3 Premiere (6/25) Secret Life of Lakes: Season 1 (6/16) Secret Life Underground: Season 1 (6/16) Secrets of the Solar System: Season 1 (6/16) South Park: Seasons 1 - 23 (6/24) Space Probes!: Season 1 (6/16) Speed: Season 1 (6/16) Spies of War: Season 1 (6/16) Summer Camp Island: Season 2 Premiere (6/18) Tales of Nature: Season 1 (6/16) The Celts: Blood, Iron & Sacrifice: Season 1 (6/16) The History of Food: Season 1 (6/16) The Secret Lives of Big Cats: Season 1 (6/16) Viking Women: Season 1 (6/16) Yvonne Orji: Momma, I Made It! (6/6)

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Everything coming to HBO Max in June 2020 - Mashable

A

couple of years ago, I was trying to place the entire fitness industry on the arc of feminism, with my friend whos an aerobics teacher. What does it mean, if were all dropping a load of time and money trying to hone our glutes? Is it straight objectification? (Must look better to fit societys view of female form! Must be best self to maximise market value in a neoliberal frame!) Or is it a story of emancipation and strength? (I dont need a man I can push over a car using only my thighs.) She said, Youre partly looking at an aerobics class full of women who no longer do their own housework. The amount of physical activity is the same in a class, its just that nothing gets any cleaner. So really it was more of a Marxist question than a feminist one, but never mind that now.

What Ive been ruminating on recently is the question: is the amount of energy you expend cleaning the same as an aerobics class? Well, one: only if you plan it to be. Two: there will be gaps in the workout, but you can fill those with bodyweight bolt-ons. Three: cleaning demands craves music, because it otherwise drops to a sedate pace. Id even suggest making some 20-minute 160BPM playlists. (Ive got a musicals playlist, and everyone hates it: my mister because he hates musicals, the children because they say every time they hear The Greatest Showman, they know Im going to be in a really self-righteous mood. This doesnt deter me, as I am possessed by my own righteousness.)

Oh, and it helps if you have stairs. Do five minutes in four different rooms, rather than one room at a time, and run the length of your stairs between each one. If you live in chaos, you can get a decent cardio-only workout just by tidying, moving things at speed off the floor of one room and into a drawer in another. Hoovering, mopping, even dusting will all do something for your arms, but if you want to reach your legs, you need to concentrate on your posture, turn graceless leaning into lunges.

Dont fixate on the dirt, is my advice. Im with Adam Smith on this: even if you get it all done, itll be back again tomorrow. I have never engaged in any domestic activity that did anything for my core; so tack a plank on to the end.

Stationary activities chopping, stirring, hell, maybe you sometimes do polishing can be beefed up with resistance bands, then you can do leg extensions (note: not if youre sitting down). Ive tried this but I cant cut a carrot and extend my leg at the same time. People on the internet swear by it, though.

Give up on dreams of measurement and progress: youre not going to become an elite vacuumer. Youre just trying to kill two birds with one stone, and maybe in the process gain a bit of enthusiasm for both birds. But I read yesterday that the reason none of us is completing our grand lockdown plans is that all projects need a future to project into; so its possible that some living-in-the-moment fitness will suit the mood of the times.

Calories-per-minute estimates for most activities are online, but are pretty bogus. If unmeasurability is destroying your morale, get a Fitbit and set a raised-heartbeat target.

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Fit in my 40s: is cleaning as good as a fitness class? There's one way to find out - The Guardian

INDEPENDENCE, OhioBusinesses and restaurants have started to re-open in the state of Ohio and Independence is following suit by reopening their Civic Center to residents.

The Civic Center will be reopened on June 1, but with new guidelines and regulations for those who visit. Only Independence residents with Civic Center passes will be allowed in the facility, meaning no outside guests may use the fitness equipment or indoor pool.

Recreation Director Tom Walchanowicz outlined what areas within the center will be available to residents and which facilities will remain temporarily closed. The indoor pool, lap pool, and whirlpool will be open as well as the weight room, track, and cardio equipment area. Aerobics classes will also begin again on June 1. Walchanowicz said that according to state guidelines, the gymnasium, sauna and steam room, showers, atrium, and racquetball courts will be closed until further notice. Other extras that will not be available include the billiard tables and video game machines.

While the workout equipment will be usable, to follow social distancing guidelines some machines may be closed because of the proximity to other machinery. The weight room will have a maximum capacity of 12 people and Walchanowicz said the department is encouraging people to call ahead to reserve a lane in the indoor lap pool. Outdoor baseball diamonds must also be reserved ahead of time either for Independence teams or residents.

Walchanowicz hopes that everyone who visits the center will, Have patience. We are doing everything we can [to follow] guidelines from the Governor. At least the facility is open at this time.

Now that the Civic Center is open, employees and residents will have their temperature taken upon arrival to ensure they are not running a fever, which is a symptom of the COVID-19 virus.

To help in ensuring the new safety protocols are followed, the Recreation Department is planning to hire extra part-time staff members. During the citys Strategic Planning meeting on May 19, Mayor Greg Kurtz said that the part-time employees would be given a pay increase because, they have a different layer of responsibility.

Walchanowicz said that in addition to disinfecting equipment, staff would monitor the pool and workout areas to keep people socially distant while they use the recreation facilities. While the department is unsure how many new staff members it will take on, Walchanowicz said they are looking for more custodians and lifeguards.

During the strategic planning meeting, Finance Director Blaze said that the city would be able to budget for new staff because of the long delay where no wages were being paid due to the shelter-in-place orders. He also said the new staff would not be working for the length of a typical season.

Kurtz said during the planning meeting that if people do not follow protocols, they will be given a warning and if the misbehavior continues, the offender will be asked to leave the area.

As far as other summer activities are concerned in the city, Community Services Director, Marilyn Senick said in the planning meeting that she and her staff are working on planning summer camps and summer playground. The anticipated start date is sometime after July 4. She said that around 120 children registered for summer camp and 115 children registered for summer playground, an abbreviated version of summer camp for younger children.

This is another area where Kurtz said, It will take more people than we traditionally utilize. There can be no more than ten people in a group at once, so Walchanowciz said the registrants will be broken down into groups of eight children with two staff members.

Little League will also continue, but there will be no travel leagues this season. When games do begin, spectators must sit six feet apart and the players will also be spaced accordingly within the dugouts. Walchanowciz said the players will have to purchase their own helmet and bat and if there is a financial issue for the player, the Recreation Department may assist on a case by case basis.

Finally, the Recreation Departments goal is to have the outdoor pool open by June 15. During the planning meeting, new protocols for the pool were discussed including markings on the ground to maintain social distancing at the diving boards and special hours for the senior citizen community. Walchanowicz said, The most we can put in the entire outdoor pool complex at one time is 200 people.

Kurtz said facilities will open, on a measured basis initially to work the bugs out of these safety protocols. He continued, saying it was too soon to determine the status of the annual Independence Day firework display and Home Days celebration.

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Independence reopens Civic Center while summer programs are still in the works - cleveland.com