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August 31, 2006

The New University of Illinois

Inside Higher Ed published an article on the upcoming University of Illinois Global Campus today.

Read the whole story

Posted by vvarvel at 09:32 AM | Comments (0)

August 07, 2006

University of Illinois moving forward with World Campus

The University of Illinois put out a press release announcing some of their plans for an online world campus. Joseph White stated the need to meet more educational needs in our population as the primary reason for the move. Most interesting was the plan to open it as a for-profit enterprise. Job security limits my ability to enter a complete critique of my feelings in this matter. Still, a planned 15 to 30 million dollar investment shows commitment, and this University is definitely in a position to have an educational impact.

For the complete press release, see the News Gazette.

Posted by vvarvel at 08:12 AM | Comments (0)

August 04, 2006

Near-Final Report from the Secretary of Education's Commission on the Future of Higher Education Released

Although the tone is progressively softer than earlier drafts, the document still calls for immediate improvements, especially in financial aid, accountability, innovation, and global competitiveness.

See Report

Posted by vvarvel at 10:21 AM | Comments (0)

August 03, 2006

U.S. Patent Office set for ridicule

In a move that I am seriously unable to understand, BlackBoard has sought and been awarded several patents internationally that patent, well, basically anything to do with learning/course management systems. Is it me, or is the patent office seriously lacking in good judgement here, to award a patent for elearning technology, when originality and other subjects are clearly in question. Furthermore, to market this move on their own Website, http://www.blackboard.com/company/press/release.aspx?id=887622 as if it is a good thing that they are attempting to undermind the online education movement through big business tactics simply may push people away from them. I'm reminded of Acacia claiming patents on just about anything involving streaming or on-demand media. Stephen Downes blog is where I first heard about this move.

Read More.

First on the Blackboard patent:

http://www.blackboard.com/patent

The actual filing (long link, you may have to reconstruct it):

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6,988,138.PN.&OS=PN/6,988,138&RS=PN/6,988,138

The story about the suit against D2L:

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=33396

The filing is here:

http://www.theinquirer.net/images/articles/blackboard.pdf

Posted by vvarvel at 08:35 AM | Comments (0)