Hack Education Weekly News: The Government Shutdown Edition

By Audrey Watters. In this week's education news, the US federal government shut down because Congress is full of assholes. Oh sure, there were some MOOC related stories. There always are these days. And some startups raised funding. And some "research" made headlines. But mostly I'm pissed off about the government, as I just moved to DC and damn. More...
MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCs
The French Ministry of Higher Education says it’s adopting edX’s open source platform to build a “national portal for MOOCs.” It’s 2013 and we’re building portals for courseware and not for space travel. Technology, you disappoint me.
But I guess a couple of universities in France didn’t get the “open source portal” memo. École Normale Supérieure and HEC Paris are joining Coursera.
The Brazilian online education company Veduca has launched what it calls the “world’s first open online MBA.” The online video classes are free, but those wanting a certificate will have to pay a fee and take their exams in-person.
A survey of administrators and professors who’ve taught MOOCs are optimistic about MOOCs. Shocking.
The MOOC Research Initiative has announced the winners of its research grants. Winners will present at “the greatest MOOC conference in the history of MOOCs.” Be there (there being the University of Texas Arlington December 5–6). More...