6/29/2009

U.S. Push for Free Online Courses

Read this: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/06/29/ccplan

WASHINGTON -- Community colleges and high schools would receive federal funds to create free, online courses in a program that is in the final stages of being drafted by the Obama administration. The program is part of a series of efforts to help community colleges reach more students and to link basic skills education to job training. The proposals are outlined in administration discussion drafts obtained by Inside Higher Ed. A formal announcement could come in the next few weeks. In addition to the free online courses, the plan would provide $9 billion over 10 years to help community colleges develop and improve programs related to preparing students for good jobs, and a $10 billion loan fund (at low or no interest) for community college facilities.

The funds envisioned for open courses -- $50 million a year…

This could be REALLY big for eLearning and Adult Basic Education.


With a little luck, this could mean (1) new resources for college eLearning programs and (2) a good start in moving toward open educational resources.

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