Grants

I’m very happy to announce that BYU has just received a grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. The pilot project will examine the deeper learning and cost savings that can be achieved when open textbooks replace traditional, expensive textbooks in public high school science classrooms. 15-20 public high school science teachers in Utah will replace their expensive, traditional textbooks with open textbooks from CK12.org for the 2010-2011 school year. Approximately 2,000 students will be impacted by the changes. Most will use printed versions of the books, while a few hundred students in one-to-one schools will use the online versions of the books on netbooks or iPads. Teachers will continue to supplement the CK12 books with additional resources and activities just as they have historically supplemented expensive, traditional textbooks. ...

Diana Oblinger, the President of EDUCAUSE, today announced the Next Gen Learning Challenges program. Information about the program, including the involvement of the Gates and Hewlett Foundations, is included in Diane’s announcement letter below. I’m humbled to serve on the Advisory Panel for the program, and am deeply interested in the topics of the first set of challenges identified for grant-making: Challenge 1: Open Core Courseware Expand access to high-quality, openly licensed courseware for developmental and general education. Challenge 2: Web 2.0 Engagement Integrate interactive Web 2.0 approaches to stimulate deeper learning and ultimately improve college readiness and completion. Challenge 3: Blended Learning Expand the use of established, effective online and face-to-face learning models on a cost-effective basis. Challenge 4: Learning Analytics Foster the development and implementation of easily accessible learning analytics for those directly involved in student success. The announcement reads: ...