ONLINE EDUCATION

2U, Inc. and edX to Join Industry-Redefining Combination

edX | July 01, 2021

2U, Inc., a global leader in education technology, and edX, a leading online learning platform, and education marketplace, announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement to form an industry-redefining partnership that will help power the digital transformation of higher education to expand access and affordability, and usher in a new era of online learning.

2U will pay $800 million in cash to buy almost all of edX's assets. 2U and edX plan to reach over 50 million learners worldwide, serve over 230 partners, and provide over 3,500 digital programs on the world's most comprehensive free-to-degree online education marketplace.

Proceeds from the transaction will go to a nonprofit dedicated to reimagining the future of learning for people of all ages, addressing educational inequalities, and advancing next-generation learning experiences and platforms under the leadership of Harvard and MIT. In addition, this group will create methods and collaborations to help narrow the learning gap, drawing on insights acquired at Harvard, MIT, and other universities.

The acquisition will combine the distinct strengths and complementary skills of two leading players in online education. 2U is the preferred digital transformation partner for more than 80 of the world's leading universities, and the company expects to reach $1 billion in annual revenue by the end of 2021, while edX has built one of the world's strongest online education brands and largest global communities of learners. Over the last decade, 2U and edX have established mission-driven organizations based on the idea that online education and greater access to the world's finest nonprofit universities can transform lives and affect future generations. The combined scale, reach, capabilities, marketing efficiency, and relationships of 2U and edX will open up new possibilities to reach and serve more learners, universities, and businesses across the globe.

To maintain and promote the edX purpose, 2U intends to run edX as a public benefit entity, a kind of purpose-driven organization that balances the interests of shareholders with those of other stakeholders. 2U has committed to continuing to fulfill the edX mission by, among other things, ensuring affordability through the continuation of a free track to audit courses; protecting the intellectual property rights of faculty and universities that contribute massive open online courses, and ensuring that participating colleges and universities can continue to participate under their existing agreements with edX.

About 2U, Inc.

Removing the back row in higher education is more than a metaphor for our goal. 2U, Inc. is a global leader in education technology and has been a valued partner and brand steward of great universities for more than a decade. More than 500 educational programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, professional certifications, boot camps, and GetSmarter short courses, are designed, delivered, and supported by us. 2U, in collaboration with our partners, has positively impacted the lives of over 300,000 students and lifelong learners. Visit 2U.com for additional information. #NoBackRow

About edX

edX is the education movement for students. We've brought together over 39 million students, the majority of the world's top-ranked universities, and industry-leading companies on one online learning platform that supports learners at every level, in collaboration with our founding partners Harvard and MIT. And we're not stopping there; we're constantly pursuing our goal of a world where every learner has access to education to live a fulfilling life, regardless of cost or location.

Spotlight

Maguire Training is a leading provider of transformational leadership, management and sales training and we are also a registered Apprenticeship Training Provider if you are looking to access Apprenticeship Levy funded programmes for individuals or groups.

Spotlight

Maguire Training is a leading provider of transformational leadership, management and sales training and we are also a registered Apprenticeship Training Provider if you are looking to access Apprenticeship Levy funded programmes for individuals or groups.

Related News

ONLINE EDUCATION

Interplay Learning Partners Warren Central High School

Interplay Learning | February 22, 2023

On February 21, 2023, Interplay Learning, a solution for virtual reality and online training of the actual skilled trades, announced its partnership with Warren Central High School (WCHS) to offer advanced learning opportunities for ninth-grade students through the school's technical education system. It would assist the school's career technical education (CTE) academy program and put fast-track students' hands-on introduction to successful careers in the construction industry. Through the partnership, it would engage ninth-grade students for the WCHS Architecture, Construction, Mechatronics and Engineering (ACME) Academy with the immersive experience of its 3D virtual-reality simulations and the training content before the actual start of the complete construction CTE program. The WCHS's official CTE programs are conducted at an offsite technical education center for students in the tenth grade and above. In addition, WCHS is allowed to share awarded funds with its virtual reality simulations for students as a part of a district-level initiative to upgrade educational infrastructure in Vicksburg. Coach in WCHS's ACME Academy, Traci Esparza, said, "With Interplay Learning's advanced, engaging platform and content, we can introduce younger students to sophisticated training simulations a year before they enter the official CTE program." She added, "That experience means they can get more out of the ACME program immediately and throughout their education. Before implementing Interplay Learning's VR technology, younger students had limited opportunities for the hands-on experience that is so critical to CTE and skilled trades learning." (Source – Cision PR Newswire) Founder and CEO of Interplay Learning, Doug Donovan, said, "Interplay is committed to helping educational institutions transform the training landscape for the skilled trades industries." He added, "With our innovative training platform, the instructors and leaders at Warren Central High School can equip students with valuable experience and skills that will help them build meaningful careers and will also help business owners in Vicksburg and the surrounding area meet the evolving workforce challenges of the 21st century." (Source – Cision PR Newswire) About Interplay Learning Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Interplay Learning, an e-learning services provider, has been delivering effective digital learning simulations in the HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Solar and Facilities Maintenance industries since 2016. In addition, it offers solutions for professional training, 3D simulations, virtual reality, skilled Trades, 3D sims, HVAC team training and learning, solar team training, HVACR, immersive education, and facility maintenance training. It recreates life-like VR scenarios for skilled trades workers to learn in an engaging environment. Its Comersive Learning solution offers courses from beginner to master level and trains massive workers in a short time.

Read More

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

Interplay Learning and Dominium Management Services Offer Skilled Trades Training

Interplay Learning | February 01, 2023

On January 31st, 2023, Interplay Learning partnered with Dominium Management Services to provide highly effective, engaging, and scalable training solutions. Interplay Learning is an effective and scalable training solution for engaging maintenance technicians. Dominium, an affordable housing developer, owner, and manager, offers Interplay's training solutions to its technicians of all levels of experience. With Interplay Learning's experiential, on-demand training courses and skills evaluations, Dominium provides maintenance associates with realistic 3D simulations and training content designed to develop their internal technical skills. In addition, the company offers a robust, just-in-time training curriculum to more than 350 employees across 230 communities, with a diverse catalog of technical courses and custom learning paths tailored to each employee's skill level and property needs. After using Interplay, Dominium has seen a decrease in ramp times, an increase in internal promotions, and a rise in technician confidence. In addition, cutting-edge training contributes to Dominium's ability to establish a competitive advantage. By creating and managing high-quality, reliable, affordable homes that lay the groundwork for more vibrant neighborhoods, Dominium contributes to the solution of the affordable housing crisis. The availability of inexpensive housing in their area is a problem, according to almost 90% of American adults. A recent survey also reveals 6.8 million fewer affordable rental housing units than needed in the nation. Interplay's customers can train and practice hands-on learning from a desktop, phone, tablet, or in virtual reality by utilizing immersive learning technology, resulting in a highly trained employee who is rapidly prepared for employment. About Interplay Learning Since 2016, Austin-based Interplay Learning has improved the training, careers, and lives of skilled workers. Its award-winning online and VR training for the essential skilled trades—HVAC, electrical, solar, plumbing, multi-family maintenance, and facilities maintenance—is scalable and more effective than traditional methods. The platform creates immersive VR scenarios for skilled trades workers to learn effectively, resulting in a confident, highly skilled workforce. Interplay Learning has earned Best Use of Virtual Reality for Enterprise Applications from AI Breakthrough Awards and the AHR Expo – Innovations Awards 2020.

Read More

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

ScreenBeam Announces Grant Program for Accredited K-12 Education Institutions

ScreenBeam Inc. | February 02, 2023

On February 1, 2023, ScreenBeam Inc., a global leader in wireless display and conferencing solutions, offered a new Grant Program for accredited K-12 education organizations in the United States and Canada. As schools return to in-class activities, with a few remote students, IT teams require technology that meets modern content sharing, connectivity, and collaboration requirements for teachers and students. The Spring K12 Grant Program from ScreenBeam offers top solutions to achieve equitable hybrid and distance learning across campus. The SBWD1100P (ScreenBeam 1100 Plus) with ScreenBeam Conference Software, provided in the grant, provides wireless display from the teacher and student devices, simplifying connection and collaboration with in-room and remote students. In addition, ScreenBeam Conference software makes it simple to connect to in-room peripherals like cameras, microphones, and speakers. The SBWD1100P is built with a unique multi-network architecture that includes three physical network interfaces for connecting teacher and student devices. It allows for maintaining security, digital signage, HDMI input, instant alerts and notifications to classroom displays, and centralized management. The solution comes with a three-year warranty and no subscription fees. Spring K12 Grant Details: • ScreenBeam will provide 1.06 units of SBWD1100P for every unit of SBWD1100P purchased. For example, purchasing 200 units will avail the buyer of 212 additional units through the grant. • Customers must buy and take delivery of a minimum of 200 SBWD1100P units between February 1, 2023, and March 31, 2023, to qualify for the grant. • A customer can get 500 units at most from the grant. • Products may be bought through ScreenBeam Authorized Resellers. • Proof of purchase is required before shipping granted units. About ScreenBeam Inc. Headquartered in San Jose, California, ScreenBeam Inc. is a wireless display and conferencing technology pioneer. It is the only app-free wireless presentation solution that removes all contact points and easily integrates with UC devices to combine the technologies into a single collaborative system. Users can wirelessly present and annotate content on in-room displays for a natural workflow with the solution. In addition, Integrated HTML-based digital signage can convey safety policies to guests and employees when displays are not in use. The company is Microsoft's only co-engineering partner for wireless display and enables seamless hybrid collaboration in any meeting or learning space.

Read More