Top universities in the US are teaming up with two local community colleges to roll out online learning courses to students. By using edX - the e-learning platform founded by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - the faculties intend to transform classroom education in various institutions.
Due to begin next spring, the project will offer individuals at the Bunker Hill Community College in Charlestown and MassBay Community College a modified version of edX's Introduction to Computer Science and Programming class.
This will include both in-class instruction at both facilities, while the teaching of three MIT professors will be provided via a digital learning portal to supplement the education. So that the programme can go ahead, it is to receive $1 million (£630 million) funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is looking to explore how high-quality education from notorious universities can be adapted for use alongside the instruction of local staff. More...

By Steve Kolowich. A consortium of 10 top-tier universities will soon offer fully online, credit-bearing undergraduate courses through a partnership with 2U, a company that facilitates online learning.
Any students enrolled at an “undergraduate experience anywhere in the world” will be eligible to take the courses, according to Chip Paucek, the CEO of 2U, which until recently was called 2tor. The first courses are slated to make their debut in the fall.
After a year in which the top universities in the world have clambered to offer massive open online courses (MOOCs) for no credit, this new project marks yet another turning point in online education. It is the first known example of top universities offering fully online, credit-bearing courses to undergraduates who are not actually enrolled at the institutions that are offering them. More...

The American Council on Education is preparing to weigh in on massive open online courses — or MOOCs.
The American Council on Education, a non-profit organization that represents most of the nation's college and university presidents, is preparing to weigh in on massive open online courses — MOOCs, for short — a new way of teaching and learning that has taken higher education by storm in recent months.
A stamp of approval from the organization could enhance the value of MOOCs to universities and lead to lower tuition costs for students, who could earn credit toward a college degree for passing a particular course. At issue is whether the quality of the courses offered through MOOCs are equivalent to similar courses offered in traditional classrooms. More...

By Carole Cadwalladr. Publishing, music, shopping, journalism – all revolutionised by the internet. Next in line? Education. Now US academics are offering world-class tuition – free – to anyone who can log on, anywhere in the world, is this the end of campus life?
Two years ago, I sat in the back seat of a Toyota Prius in a rooftop car park in California and gripped the door handle as the car roared away from the kerb, headed straight towards the roof's edge and then at the last second sped around a corner without slowing down. There was no one in the driver's seat.
It was the prototype of Google's self-driving car and it felt a bit like being Buck Rogers and catapulted into another century. Later, I listened to Sebastian Thrun, a German-born professor of artificial intelligence at Stanford University, explain how he'd built it, how it had already clocked up 200,000 miles driving around California, and how one day he believed it would mean that there would be no traffic accidents.
A few months later, the New York Times revealed that Thrun was the head of Google's top-secret experimental laboratory Google X, and was developing, among other things, Google Glasses – augmented reality spectacles. And then, a few months after that, I came across Thrun again. More...

By Bakary Diallo. Over the past decade, Africa has experienced unparalleled economic growth, putting the continent on a pedestal to become the next growth frontier. Development experts predict that economies in Africa will continue to grow at an average of 6% even while the rest of the world is facing an economic slump.
McKinsey Global Institute, a leading economic research institution, predicts that the financial services, retail, telecommunications and construction sectors in Africa will attract more private-investment inflows.
While there is much optimism surrounding Africa’s growth potential, the continent appears to be lagging behind in training the necessary human resources to match its rosy economic growth prospects.
Although the number of students enrolling in tertiary education has been growing, the proportions are still dismally low, with only 6% of school-leavers in Sub-Saharan Africa entering tertiary institutions.
Educationists and economists have observed that if Africa is going to compete in the global economy, at least 12% to 15% of the continent’s workforce should have attained tertiary education. More...

Virtually every scholarship is available to online students; most awards don’t restrict their recipients to traditional courses. But there are many that are made just for online students, created to support non-traditional and distance education. Ranging from $100 to $10,000 (or more), these online student scholarships are certainly worth checking out. Know of an online student scholarship we missed? Be sure to share it in the comments.
Centre de Télé Enseignement Lettres - CTEL d'Aix-Marseille Université - FRANCE:
Centre Télé Enseignement Lettres - CTEL University of Aix-Marseille - FRANCE (english version).
Vous pouvez vous inscrire à autant d'UE (unités d'enseignement) que vous souhaitez. 1 année complète (60 crédits): 250 €. Chaque UE est affectée d'un nombre de crédits, et le coût de l'inscription, calculé en fonction du nombre total de crédits, est de 15 € pour 3 crédits. Pour une inscription à un semestre complet, les étudiants s'acquittent d'une somme forfaitaire de 125 €. Dans ce cas, les étudiants reçoivent tous leurs cours et documents pédagogiques par le biais de la plate-forme numérique d'enseignement à distance AMéTICE (téléchargement).
Diplômes ouverts en ligne: MASTER AIRE CULTURELLE DU MONDE ANGLOPHONE, Licences générales: Lettres modernes, Anglais, Italien, Allemand, Philosophie, Histoire, Portugais (1ère année), Psychologie (1ère année), Diplômes d'Université: allemand, italien, portugais, Cours de français en ligne - préparation au DELF 2: toutes les informations, Enseignements optionnels: allemand, anglais, espagnol, italien, portugais, histoire, histoire de l'art, géographie, informatique, latin, grec, lettres modernes, philosophie, Accéder aux cours en ligne: plateforme commune de l'université d'Aix-Marseille.
Centre Télé Enseignement Lettres - CTEL University of Aix-Marseille - FRANCE (english version).
GetEducated.com Online College Scholarship Program:
Each year, GetEducated.com offers $1,000 to two distance learning students taking courses from programs headquartered in the U.S. Awards are based on both merit and need, and they can be used for any qualifying online university.
Maxwell and Doris King Scholarship:
Offered by the University of Florida, the Maxwell and Doris King Scholarship offers $950 to students pursuing a Leadership Educational Administration Doctorate in Higher Education Administration. The award is based on scholastic merit.
World Campus Students Scholarships:
Penn State offers a number of scholarships for online and distance “world campus” students, including the Jane Ireland Student Fund, the Fischer Family Scholarship Program, and the Trustee Scholarship Program. To qualify, students must complete requirements such as: nine credits in the World Campus program, a 3.0 (or higher) GPA, a personal statement, a letter of recommendation, and use the funds for a World Campus undergraduate degree program.
Dawn Drake Excellence in Distance Education Scholarship:
Offered by the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, this scholarship is available to degree-seeking distance education students at the school. The award is $500, and it is based on academic achievement and a one-page essay.
Project Management Institute Educational Foundation Scholarships:
The PMI Educational Foundation offers two full tuition scholarships and one partial tuition scholarship to online students of the University of Management and Technology. These include a full tuition scholarship for an online Doctor of Business Administration, a full tuition scholarship for an online Master’s Degree Program, and partial tuition scholarships for UMT online undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Colorado Technical University-Online Division Only Scholarship:
Students who are interested in online courses with Colorado Technical University can earn a scholarship of $2,000, applied as a tuition credit over their entire program. Selection is made on merit, and awardees must meet admission requirements, maintain full-time status, a 3.0 GPA, and other scholarship requirements.
Saint Mary of the Woods Distance to Campus Scholarship:
Saint Mary of the Woods distance education students can make the step to a campus learning environment with the Distance to Campus Scholarship, provided they have completed at least one year in the distance education program.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship:
Qualifying members of the National Phi Theta Kappa organization can enjoy a $1,000 scholarship, renewable for up to three years. Recipients must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA and satisfactory academic progress.
Central Community College Student-At-A-Distance Scholarship:
Central Community College offers up to six $500 scholarships to distance education students each year. They’re available to current students who have completed at least six credit hours of distance education. The award is shared in two equal disbursements each semester, provided the student maintains eligibility requirements.
Kansas State University Diversity Scholarship:
Kansas State University has a Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program, providing scholarships to distance education students from historically under-represented populations. This scholarship provides $1,000 to participating students in the Fall and Spring semesters. Students must be from a historically under-represented group, demonstrate financial need, and have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Kansas State Division of Continuing Education Scholarship for Distance Education Students:
K-State distance education students can win scholarships ranging from $900 to $1,200 for use in a continuing education degree program. Preference is given based on financial need, and students must be enrolled in a minimum of three credit hours to use the scholarship.
University of Edinburgh:
The University of Edinburgh has a variety of scholarships for online, part-time postgraduate programs, including the Animals Asia Scholarship, the Edinburgh Global Online Distance Learning Master’s Scholarship, and the Edinburgh Global Health Academy Distance Learning Master’s Scholarships.
Lowell Scholarships:
With a Lowell Scholarship, middle and high school teachers and high school students can win money for a Harvard Extension School course each term. The scholarship covers 50% of their tuition and is applicable for both undergrad and graduate work.
Ted Pohrte Distance Learning Scholarship:
Established in memory of Ted Pohrte, this scholarship is available exclusively to distance learning students in the Dallas Community College District. The award offers $225 per semester for qualified students.
Fischer Family Scholarship for Continuing and Distance Education:
Available exclusively to continuing and distance education students at Penn State University, the Fischer Family Scholarship offers recognition and assistance to outstanding undergrads with a demonstrated need.
Mary Cone Barrie Scholarship:
Created in honor of Mary Cone Barrie, this scholarship offers an award to distance and continuing education students who are embracing a path of lifelong learning.
Bemidji State University:
Bemidji State University distance learning students have several scholarships available: the Edward Gersich Distance Education Scholarship worth $500, and the Gladys McKinley Distance Learning Scholarship, the Michael McKinley Distance Learning Scholarship, as well as the Northern Minnesota Distance Learning Professional Scholarship, all worth $1,000.
Simmons Family Foundation Scholarship:
This scholarship is available to single parents pursuing distance education-related programs in rural Utah through the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services at Utah State University. There’s $20,000 in funds available, and all single parent distance students are encouraged to apply.
Empire State College:
Distance learning students at Empire State College can apply for two different scholarships: the Morton Bahr Scholarship and the Dr. John M. Beckem II Scholarship. They’re both offered for students who are accessing the college through distance learning and require a brief essay.
St. George’s University MBA Program Scholarship:
The MBA Program Scholarship at St. George’s is the easiest to earn: all you have to do is get accepted to the MBA program. Upon acceptance, all students receive this scholarship, which reduces tuition by 30%.
Florida State College Open Campus Scholarship:
Online education students at Florida State College can apply for a $300 scholarship from the school. The application includes an essay, and students must be enrolled in at least six online credits.
Franklin University Distance Learning Scholarship:
Students in Michigan community colleges are eligible to receive a distance learning scholarship from Franklin University. This award is for $500, and is offered to students who have taken at least one distance education course.
Thomas L. and Jane D. Russell Distance Education Scholarship:
Offered to students at SUNY Potsdam, the Thomas L. and Jane D. Russell Distance Education Scholarship is designed to encourage students to take courses through distance education. Students must have completed at least one distance education course, and preference is given to Crane School of Music majors.
Gemological Institute of America:
Studying diamonds in school? The Gemological Institute of America offers a variety of different scholarships to its students, ranging from the $450 ColorMasters Scholarship to the $2,500 R. Harder Gallery Scholarship.
Berklee Music Celebrity Online Scholarship Program:
Thanks to the support of celebrities, Berklee Music is able to offer a total of 16 $1,400 scholarship awards to promising online students. Students must be recommended by an instructor, have a GPA of 3.7 or higher, and of course, be an online student.
OnlineColleges.org Support a Students Scholarship for Single Parents:
Single parents who are enrolled in an accredited online post-secondary institution are eligible to receive this $10,000 scholarship. It offers money to help pay for non-tuition living expenses including rent, childcare, books, groceries, and utilities.
Auxiliary Services $100 Distance Learning Scholarship:
Need help with books? The Old Dominion University Auxiliary Services $100 Distance Learning Scholarship can make a dent in your bookstore bill.
The Edelweiss Fund:
Created for University of Wyoming Outreach School students, the Edelweiss Fund is created to help new and non-traditional students better afford education. Preference is given to new students, female non-traditional students, and single others.

eLearning Papers: Call for articles on Mobile Learning open until November 19th
While learning has always expanded beyond the walls of the classroom, the proliferation of devices and applications, which have greatly expanded when, where and how information can be accessed and stored, brings this issue to the fore. How have such devices had an impact in learning, and what role may they play in the future? This issue hopes to showcase practical examples and generate serious reflection on an emerging topic.
Today’s youth are growing up in a world very different from the world their teachers or parents knew when they were young. Where and how they learn is changing as mobile learning and social networking become part of their every day life. Ubiquitous access to social media, tools and knowledge resources is taken for granted, while passive teacher-directed work dominates life at school.
Open, social and participatory media have significant potential to transform learning and teaching. They offer numerous ways to communicate, collaborate and connect with peers. The range of free educational resources and tools is rapidly increasing. Cloud computing has enabled free or inexpensive access to applications that were once available only to those who were willing to pay premium license fees.
The gap between the potential and actual use of technology in education is a paradox. eLearning Papers seeks to facilitate the sharing of innovative and creative uses of technology to support learning among its readers. The upcoming 32nd issue focuses on mobile technology applications and their potential to enhance learning within the broad spectrum of education and training. Papers are welcome on any aspects related to the use of open, social and participatory media, cloud computing or mobile learning. Some suggested focus areas  are listed below:

• How do mobile devices enhance learning and creativity?
• Mobile learning and creative classrooms
• OER for mobile learning
• Mobile learning management models and strategies
• Learning design for mobile learning
• Mobile learning platforms, devices and operating systems
• Authoring tools and technologies for mobile learning
• Content design and development for mobile learning
• Platform specific applications for learning
• Augmented reality in education
• Mixed reality and mobile devices supporting learning
• Mobile devices and schoolwork, in classrooms and beyond
• Mobile devices supporting performance and learning at work
• Low-tech mobile learning, e.g. the power of SMS

The article submission deadline is November 19th, 2012. The provisional date of publication is December, 2012. For further information and to submit your article, please contact: jimena.marquez@elearningpapers.eu.

By Don Clark. Pessimism about education is easy to find. Sebastian Thrun is a pretty persuasive antidote, and the funding seems to be following.
The German-born Stanford University research professor, programmer, robotics whiz and Google fellow had an impressive resume well before he co-founded the online education company Udacity. His team, for example, played important roles in both Google’s self-driving car and what became the eyewear technology product that started as Project Glass.
But the startup has really elevated his profile, and the financiers have taken notice. On Thursday, Udacity is announcing a $15 million venture-capital round led by the ubiquitous Andreessen Horowitz. The new infusion brings its total raised to date to $21.5 million.
Peter Levine, a general partner at the firm who is joining Udacity’s board, throws out some particularly effusive praise–stating in a blog post that it is sinking money into “a team and company that we’re absolutely convinced will change the world.”
Why the hyperbole? Hasn’t online education been around, in various forms, for more than three decades?
Udacity, which is frequently mentioned along with other new-wave education startups like Coursera, is pursuing a vision that has some fresh elements. More...