By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Bill Gates Talks Performance Funding and MOOCs in Conference Keynote
Don Troop, Chronicle of Higher Education, Jul 23, 2014
Bill Gates talks about education and everyone listens (one of these days I'd like to go to Redmond to talk to MS face-to-face about these topics). Still, some good bits: like this: "My key message today is that that model will be under challenge. And so, instead of tuning it to find 3 percent here or 4 percent there, which has been the story in the past, there will be dramatic changes." See also IHE coverage. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. By the numbers
Melonie Fullick, University Affairs, Jul 23, 2014
Melonie Fullick writes, "I’m more interested in the answer to a second, unasked question that’s implicit in “does it count?”: count for what? In most cases, it’s an academic job, one with some security and stability; so whether something counts towards tenure is the point, with all the implications this brings." I think this is a good point. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Free Learning from a Development Perspective
Stephen Downes, Jul 18, 2014, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada seminar, Gatineau, Quebec
The slides in this presentation address: first, the relation between connectivism and free learning; second, the development of our understanding of networks and network technology; and third, the policy framework needed to enourage and promote free learning for development. The audio doesn't finish the slides but is an engaging discussion between myself and DFATDC staff. [Link] [Slides] [Audio]. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. MOOCs get schoolified: Two reports predict MOOCs will simply be absorbed
Mark Guzdial, Computing Education Blog, Jul 25, 2014
You have to actually read this to realize how silly this sounds. Here it is: "MOOCs are like free gyms, says Mr. Kelly. They might enable some people—mostly people who are already healthy and able to work out without much guidance—to exercise more. But they won’t do much for people who need intensive physical therapy or the care of a doctor." Well of course, then, MOOCs will just be absorbed by the syste... wait. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Fusion 2014 – Unconference and Day One Recap
Jon Kruithof, All The Young (edu)Punks, Jul 19, 2014
I want to include this post because it's such a clear example of marketing fail. Jon Kruithof  attended the D2L Fusion conference and so was there for the John Baker keynote announcing the name change. More...