The eLearning Sector Is Well Prepared for the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Life-long learning is bound to be part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which will force a business model change in all industries resulting in new categories of jobs, displacing others, says a report published by the World Economic Forum. Nearly 50 % of subject knowledge acquired during the first year of a four-year technical degree outdated by the time students graduate, according to the World Economic Forum. Even people in STEM positions can expect to enter their professionals only partially prepared for what they will face on the job. In order to manage these trends, the World Economic Forum (WEF) suggests that reskilling and upskilling talent across industries will be imperative over the coming decades. eLearning in all its forms from MOOCs to micro degrees to online coding boot camp programs holds the potential to growing need for continuing education across the career cycle. This way the eLearning and the entire ed-tech sector is well positioned to experience substantial and even unprecedented growth. Read the full WEF report

The edX 2017 Year in Review

The eLearning Business Will Grow at a Rate of 5 % until 2024

AWS Offers Courses about its Cloud at edX.org

edX.org Top Courses of 2017

The learners' picks are mostly related to test preparation: TOEFL Test Preparation, from ETSx. IELTS Academic Test Preparation, from The University of Queensland Essential Statistics for Data Analysis using Excel, from Microsoft Basic Spanish 1: Getting Starter, from UP Valencia The Science of Happiness, from Berkeley English Composition, from Arizona State University edX's staff's courses are mostly introductory: The Architectural Imagination, from Harvard University. HTML5 and CSS Fundamentals, from W3Cx Introduction to Linux, from the Linux Foundation Introduction to Project Management, from AdelaideX Introduction to Java Programming – Part 1, from KHUSTx Communication Skills for Bridging Divides, from CatalystX In terms of hot skills required by employers, these are the selected courses: Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python, from MITx Artificial Intelligence (AI), from Columbia University Cybersecurity Fundamentals, from RIT Machine Learning, from Columbia University Robotics Fundamentals, from Penn University

EdX 2017 Global Conference: Goal is to Triple Our Reach to 100 Million Learners

edX partners joined in Whistler, British Columbia in the annual Global Forum event on December 5 and 6. The event, hosted by the University of British Columbia (UBC), allowed partners to exchange ideas and views on education. During this 2017 event, three business challenges were highlighted: Create a true community of learners on a sticky platform that learns continuously over a period of at least 5 years, develop a portfolio of credentials, and demonstrate their achievements Establish valued, relevant credentials for lifelong learning Partner with companies for interviews, employment, upskilling, and content. In terms of technology, attendants shared the goal of setting the bar on high-quality and engaging education: Leverage fully the power of digital technology for learning – AI-powered personalized learning (e.g., HarvardX Super-Earths, Quant Methods course) – Leverage the engagement of VR and AR – Harness the power of networks, e.g., crowdsource hinting Unleash the power of cognitive science, e.g. retrieval learning Deploy deep analytics for learner engagement and platform stickiness As main goals, Anant Agarwal, CEO at edX, remarked the following: Triple our goal reach to 100M, continue Open edX commitment, support national platforms Further internationalization and launch more language platforms Ensure diverse offerings and new credentials at the Bachelor's and Master's levels in more in-demand fields Ju-Ho Lee, Professor at KDI School of Public Policy and Management and former Minister of Education, Science, and Technology, Korea, delivered the welcoming keynote. Professors Andrew Howells and Bernadette Drabsch, from the University of Newcastle, were recognized as winners of the 2017 edX Prize, because of their contribution in online teaching and learning and commitment to the open education. Their course, Drawing Nature, Science and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101, captured a unique and creative look at natural history. "This course shows how it is possible to successfully bridge science and art theory, delivering innovative, online methods that break down the illustration components and theory of drawing into accessible techniques, so that learners can truly gain the skills they need to see and draw nature like a professional illustrator," praised Anant Agarwal, CEO at edX. [This course will re-open on April 4, 2018.] The 2017 event recognized also other professors who were finalists.  

The Creator of Open edX Leaves the edX Organization and Starts a New Platform

December 2017 Newsletter on Learning Innovation

Recruitment and Admission Process for Master's Programs Will Benefit from Open Courses

A New iPad App for edX Courses

edX has launched its first iPad app. It is now available in the iOS App store. This mobile app allows to take courses hosted at edX.org. In addition, the software is open source. It means that any developer can use it on Open edX related projects. The edX app includes these features: • Learn from the best instructors from more than 70 global universities and institutions • Stream class videos via Wi-Fi or cellular connection • Download course videos to watch anytime • Test your knowledge with basic quizzes and exams • View course announcements and handouts • Follow along course videos with closed captions • Education and tutorials on your schedule  

edX MicroMasters Will Expand to Fill Post-College Gap

"It is predicted that 50 percent of current jobs will disappear by 2030. Different new jobs and even fields are surfacing. Recent college graduates as well as current workers are already looking for quality courses and certification programs in order to learn aspects of data science, augmenting their familiarity with and use of data, as well as content in many other fields," explained. edX has 40 different MicroMasters already, tailored to hybrid jobs where soft skills are needed in combination with technical competencies. These programs are provided by 130 institutional partners – a combination of enterprise and academic. "In coordinating with major organizations such as IBM, Google, Accenture, we also received their endorsement for specific programs. This validation is important for course participants to be assured that the credential will be recognized by current or future employers."