EdBizWatch

Welcome to EdBizWatch™

Quick-scan the top articles in edu-tech. Keep watch on the investments, who's who, news and op-eds in learning technologies.  See who's placing bets, where, and why.

Have we overlooked an important story? Send the link to info@edbizwatch.com.  

The Gift of Doubt

"So is ignorance an impediment to progress or a precondition for it?"

The Gift of Doubt, Malcolm Gladwell, The New Yorker

The Rise of EdTech

These are a few of the dozens of companies using technology is a highly disruptive force.

The Rise of EdTech, Ilya Pozin, TNW

Online Education is No Bubble

It’s not simply that not all degrees are created equal: not all majors are created equal.

Online Education is No Bubble, Michelle Rhee-Weise, PhD, Clayton Chritensen Institute

Can We Move Beyond the MOOC to Reclaim Open Learning?

Reclaim Open Learning is sponsored by MacArthur Fndn, Digital Media & Learning Hub, & MIT Media Lab.

Can We Move Beyond the MOOC to Reclaim Open Learning? Anya Kamenetz, Huff Post

Treehouse Turns to Gamification to Help Fuel Growth

To “help potential employers see quickly how skilled Treehouse users applying for jobs are.”

Treehouse Turns to Gamification to Help Fuel Growth, Harrison Weber, The Next Web

Who Is Ben Nelson?

What does a Wharton MBA who steered his last company to a $300 million exit do next? 

A Conversation with Minerva's CEO, Ben Nelson, Ava Arsaga, EdBizWatch

Tale of Two Cities

In ed biz, it's the best of times for private companies, but the worst of times for public ones.

Tale of Two Cities, University Ventures

Novel Investment to Boost Preschools

The $7 million loan is a new type of funding called a social-impact bond.

Novel Investment to Boost Preschools, Joe Barrett, Wall Street Journal

Textbook Rental firm Chegg Selects Banks for IPO

Chegg has picked JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America. Could raise $200 million.

Textbook Rental firm Chegg Selects Banks for IPO, Olivia Oran & Alistair Barr, Reuters

InternMatch Raises $4 Million Led by Aris Ventures

Company doubled its student user-base in last 4 mo to 650K uniques/mo student visitors.

InternMatch helps students get hired, gets $4M, Meghan Kelly, Venture Beat

Six K-12 Education Technology Trends to Watch

Horizon Rpt selects 6 technologies likely to become important in K-12 over the next few yrs.

K-12 Education Technology Trends to Watch, Sean Kavanagh, Education Week

Battle of Ed Tech Acclerators Heats Up

Boston-based LearnLaunchX announces its first class. 

Battle of Ed Tech Acclerators Heats Up, Ki Mae Heussner, GigaOm

MOOCs, Hype, and the Precarious State of Higher Ed

An interview with futurist Bryan Alexander by Howard Rheingold.

MOOCs, Hype, and the Precarious State of Higher Ed, Howard Rheingold, DMLcentral

Avoid Hype: Online Learning’s Transformational Potential

Countering Larry Cuban's Wash Post piece: "unfortunate hype from academic gurus."

Avoid The Hype: Online Learning’s Transformational Potential, Michael Horn, Education Next

History, Hype and Hope for Online Learning

...we're skeptics ourselves of efficacy studies (especially ones produced by companies)...

History, Hype and Hope for Online Learning, Tony Wan, edSurge

Professors Take Lessons from Online Teaching

New frontier of knowledge has captivated academia: finding ways to teach more effectively.

Professors Take Lessons from Online Teaching, Marcella Bombardieri, Boston Globe 

As Data Floods In, MOOCs Evolve

Performance research is motivated by a desire to up completion rates, now around 10%.

As Data Floods In, MOOCs Evolve, Tom Simonite, MIT Technology Review

Why K-12 Online Learning Isn’t Revolutionizing Teaching

...the many claims for online instruction transforming traditional K-12 teaching & learning cause snickers for their hyperbole or strike a flat note in their credibility.

Why K-12 Online Learning Isn’t Really Revolutionizing Teaching, Larry Cuban, Wash Post

The Hitchhiker's Guide to Twitter Edchats

Here are Katrina Stevens recommendations for some of the more popular ones.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to Twitter Edchats, edSurge

Hullabalu Raises $1.8 Million From SV Angel, Others

The app is less about learning to read, & more about sparking kids' creativity & imagination.

Hullabalu Raises $1.8 Million From SV Angel, Others, Sarah Perez, TechCrunch