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A Decade of MOOCs: A Review of Stats and Trends for Large-Scale Online Courses in 2021

Edsurge

In 2021, two of the biggest MOOC providers had an “exit” event. Coursera went public , while edX was acquired by the public company 2U for $800 million and lost its non-profit status. Ten years ago, more than 300,000 learners were taking the three free Stanford courses that kicked off the modern MOOC movement. revenue ($14.7

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In China’s Silicon Valley, Edtech Starts at the ‘MOOC Times Building’

Edsurge

One sign of that: There’s a 22-story tower in the country’s capital officially named the “MOOC Times Building” that houses a government-supported incubator for edtech companies. The building boasts two tricked-out production studios that any of the companies in the industry park can use to film and edit video for courses.

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In China, Online Degrees on Hold, Even as MOOCs Rise

Edsurge

In fact, the country has no institution that is approved to deliver online degrees, even though it has moved rapidly to embrace MOOCs, free or low-cost online courses offered to millions throughout the country. Michael Wang, CEO of Beacon Education, a Beijing company I consult with that delivers U.S. colleges and universities.

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2U Buys edX for $800M, In Surprise End to Nonprofit MOOC Provider Started by MIT and Harvard

Edsurge

2U, a so-called Online Program Management company that helps traditional colleges start and run online degree programs, says it will operate edX as a separate subsidiary that will be structured as a public benefit corporation. What happens now is a bit complicated. We have to do right by the stakeholders every single day,” he added.

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What’s Next for Edtech Now That the ‘Pandemic Bump’ Has Faded?

Edsurge

It also brought an explosion of private investments into edtech. The pandemic bump that many edtech firms experienced has faded, but private capital’s interest in edtech, and in shaping the education system, remains. Tower has been sharing his take in a weekly newsletter called Edtech Thoughts , focusing on deals in edtech.

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How Blockbuster MOOCs Could Shape the Future of Teaching

Edsurge

After all, so-called MOOCs, or massive open online courses, were meant to open education to as many learners as possible, and in many ways they are more like books (digital ones, packed with videos and interactive quizzes) than courses. million, split between the course provider and the company. That means it brought in more than $2.5

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Coursera Is Now a Public Company. What Does That Mean For Higher Education?

Edsurge

Coursera’s founders and CEO rang the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange today, as the online-learning company became a rare edtech enterprise to go public. And because it’s a pandemic, the event was online and the bell was virtual (perhaps fitting for an online-learning company).

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