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eSchool News Live at Transfr XR Futures

AI isn’t the only acronym poised to create vast improvements in the way we teach and learn. Last month, eSchool attended “XR Training: The Next Frontier of Learning,” hosted by Transfr Inc [1]. The event featured many speakers including CEO Bharani Rajakumar (pictured above), developers, and users in the corporate, not-for-profit, and government sectors that use simulation software to enhance job training programs. 

Conversations touched on a wide variety of topics from the distinctions of spatial computing, to how XR can reduce the skills gap, to how its application can become a powerful force in underserved communities. It was a great opportunity to listen to some of the leading experts in the field, get our chance to try the gear firsthand and hear how the tech is already impacting lives. Scroll down for some highlights of the sessions and some examples of the simulations in action.


Extended reality (XR) is considered a catch-all term for augmented, virtual, and mixed reality technologies. The technology intends to combine or mirror the physical world with a “digital twin world” able to interact with it, which gives users an immersive experience by being in a virtual or augmented environment.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the US Census Bureau, around 11 million people are either looking for a job or would look for one if they had the necessary skills. Transfr focuses on areas like construction, manufacturing, and healthcare, where almost 4 million job opportunities exist that don’t require a 4-year degree. The company believes in allowing everyone to pursue upward mobility by learning about their interests and acquiring the necessary skills.

The company has created over 300 training simulations, offering immersive experiences in aviation maintenance, diesel technology, and, more recently, healthcare. The introduction of Career Exploration 2.0 allows students to explore various career options through shorter, more engaging simulations, including new modules in health sciences and future occupations like electric vehicles and semiconductors. The platform has seen significant developments, including a new VR application for Career Exploration 2.0 with login options, diverse virtual coaches, multi-language support (including Spanish in 2024), closed captioning, and an enhanced dashboard for easier classroom management. Transfr has also launched a Career Exploration dashboard that helps instructors track students’ exploration paths and preferences, facilitating better guidance.

You can check out some of their simulation examples below:


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I was able to grab Brian Bigelow, the marine manufacturing instructor at Arkansas State University [3] to talk about their collaboration with Transfer VR and the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies in education, specifically in boat manufacturing. We focused on creating simulations (sims) for training students, enhancing engagement, and providing practical experiences in a controlled environment. Have a listen:

His pluses for the use of XR include:

Enhanced Learning Experience: The use of headsets allows students to actively engage in learning activities, making education more immersive and enjoyable. Brian emphasizes that students are often unaware they are learning, as the technology makes the educational experience so much fun.

Efficient Use of Resources: In a limited physical space, where only one student can use certain equipment at a time, VR and AR technologies allow others to remain engaged and learn outside the physical booth. This contributes to better time management and classroom efficiency.

Student Enthusiasm: Students are eager to use VR and AR technologies, often not wanting to take off the headsets.

Real-world Applications: Brian discusses the real-world applications of VR and AR, citing examples such as OSHA certification training and practical demonstrations of skills like using a fire extinguisher. He highlights the relevance of these skills to both professional and personal life.

Big Deals: Pearson adds AI to Chem; Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology launched; zSpace expands workforce training tools

Posted By Kevin Hogan On In Disruptions and Innovations,Innovation Insights,News | Comments Disabled

As students wrap up the fall semester, Pearson [4] this month announced plans to expand the availability of its generative AI beta to millions of students in leading math, science and business titles. This summer, Pearson became the first major higher education publisher to integrate generative AI study tools into its proprietary academic content.  

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“Students and faculty have told us they are looking for AI tools that are aligned with the Pearson content they trust and already use. We know they want these tools to help them earn higher grades, save time, and master key concepts,” said David Kokorowski, SVP and Chief Product Officer Higher Education. “To meet these needs and provide a more frictionless learning experience, we embedded generative AI study tools into Pearson’s market leading content. We’re encouraged by how students engaged with the technology, and we’re excited to expand and further study how these tools are benefiting students and faculty alike.”    

Pearson’s current beta will expand to dozens more MyLab and Mastering titles by Fall semester 2024. MyLab and Mastering is an interactive platform backed by content from Pearson authors that allows instructors to scale teaching excellence. The platform, with integrated eTextbook, allows instructors to design their course, assign homework and assessments, and monitor student progress in real time. 

The tens of thousands of students that used Pearson’s beta AI study tools this fall showed strong levels of engagement and provided positive feedback. Students who used the AI tools spent more time in their courseware and 75% of users said the tools were ‘helpful’ or ‘very helpful’ for their studies. In addition, a recent nationally representative survey of college students conducted by Pearson and Morning Consult showed that students trust generative AI tools created by education companies more than other tech companies to help them learn with AI, with 62% trusting education companies.  

Pearson’s Tro Chemistry, A Molecular Approach 6th Edition, which features the AI study tool in its Mastering and eTextbook, has experienced strong AI engagement this semester, with more than 60,000 AI conversations in Mastering to help students understand homework concepts. Dr. Nivaldo Tro, author and faculty member at Santa Barbara City College said, “Pearson materials are known for their quality and the addition of the AI study tools enhances the learning and teaching experiences for both students and instructors. I’m encouraged by how Pearson is taking a responsible approach to putting this technology together with content to help students learn difficult concepts.”  

Focused on delivering strong customer experiences, Pearson has been listening to and acting on feedback from students, instructors, subject matter experts and learning designers to improve AI experiences in real time, including adjusting tonality to meet student prompts, incorporating positive language to encourage students to succeed, and adjusting the visual presentation of the technology. These data-based improvements will continue as Pearson evolves to include more features for educators and students. 

Pearson believes that generative AI can benefit teaching and learning in many different settings and recently announced a beta of generative AI tools for English language learning. Pearson is committed to investing in the responsible application of AI towards product innovation and operational excellence that will help learners learn and help educators teach.    


The Allen Institute, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), and the University of Washington (UW) today announced the launch of the Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology [6]: a landmark collaboration that will build new technologies to record the history of cells over time. These technologies will help researchers crack the code and understand not just end point measurements of cells and genes in health and disease but the dynamics of their trajectories over time. The Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology brings together the best of large-scale science and philanthropy with proven academic power to develop, refine, and share this paradigm-shifting single-cell technology. Led by UW Medicine researchers Jay Shendure, M.D., Ph.D., Marion Pepper, Ph.D., Cole Trapnell, Ph.D., and Jesse Gray, Ph.D., the Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology will build on technology pioneered at the Allen Discovery Center for Cell Lineage Tracing and UW Medicine’s Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine to reimagine living cells and genomes as devices for recording complex biological information over time.

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“Imagine being able to put a smart watch into each of your cells to record the genome itself and everything that cell is experiencing,” says Dr. Jay Shendure, Executive Director of the Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology and a professor of genome sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine. “Currently, when biologists take measurements, we’re limited to either observing how a few things change over time with a microscope, or to measuring everything but only at the moment in time that we break open the cell. With the kind of genomic smart watch that we’re aiming to build, one could recover the full autobiography of each cell, rather than only the last page.”

This new paradigm has the potential to revolutionize how scientists study the role of cells and genes in human health by providing unprecedented clarity into how biological events unfold over time, including the causal chain of molecular and cellular events that begins with a genetic mutation and culminates in a developmental disease seen in the clinic. The technology will be proven out in the form of a research tool to study changes in cells in the context of development and immunology, with the vision to potentially extend the project into diverse research, diagnostic, and clinical applications.

“We are incredibly excited to enter this new era of collaboration to tackle big moonshot projects in partnership with others,” says Rui Costa, D.V.M., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of the Allen Institute. “We’re bringing together experts in genomic engineering and synthetic biology to advance a new age of experimentation that will allow us to record the history of biological events in our cells, and eventually to design new, smart interventions for disease.”

The Allen Institute and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative share a joint commitment to open science, and as such, findings from the new institute will be shared widely with the scientific community to fuel progress in labs throughout the Pacific Northwest and around the world.

“Every cell in our body has its own unique history. By developing new technologies to measure and understand the history of our cells over time, including how they are impacted by the environment around them, genetic mutations, and other factors, we can expand scientists’ understanding of what happens at the cellular level when we go from healthy to sick and help pinpoint the earliest causes of disease,” says Priscilla Chan, co-founder and co-CEO of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.


zSpace, Inc [8]., a leading education company and innovator in augmented and virtual reality technology, will proudly unveil its expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE) and workforce applications tomorrow at the ACTE Careertech Vision Conference [9]. This significant development incorporates cutting-edge applications from four renowned companies enhancing zSpace’s commitment to transform education by improving STEM performance and workforce preparedness through immersive and interactive learning experiences.

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The following companies’ applications are now seamlessly integrated into zSpace’s glasses-free augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) Laptop, Inspire, showcased exclusively at ACTE Careertech Vision:

“At zSpace, we are dedicated to revolutionizing education by providing immersive, interactive, and practical learning experiences,” said Michael Carbenia, Sr. Executive Director of Workforce at zSpace. “Our collaboration with these industry leaders signifies a significant step forward in our mission to prepare students and professionals for the demands of the modern workforce.”

Crunch the numbers: The latest edtech data on AI tools, international students, and online learning perceptions

Posted By Kevin Hogan On In Innovation Insights,News,Resources | Comments Disabled

Anthology [15], a leading provider of education solutions that support the entire learner lifecycle, announced this month the results of its 2023 global research study: Comparing Global University Mindsets and Student Expectations. The survey results reveal the perceptions and realities of generative AI use among university leaders and students in the U.S., and how they differ from colleagues in other parts of the world based on a survey of more than 5,000 current students and university leaders across 11 countries.

AI use among U.S. students growing but lags global peers
The survey revealed intriguing differences in the adoption of generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, among university students in the United States compared to their peers in other countries. Overall, 38% of students in the United States reported using generative AI tools frequently or occasionally.

While the U.S. has a lower percentage of frequent users of AI writing tools on a weekly basis (10% compared to a global average of 23%), a higher proportion are occasional users (monthly use) (28%). The study also highlights a comparable rate of experimentation with AI tools between the U.S. and other countries. However, a significant percentage of U.S. students remain unfamiliar with or do not use generative AI writing tools, marking a significant divergence in adoption (22% of students in the United States vs. 12% of students in other countries surveyed).

While more than half of the students in the U.S. expect to increase their use of AI tools over the next six months, this is a slower rate of increase than their peers in other countries where 71% anticipate their use of AI tools will increase.

These findings reveal a unique pattern of AI tool utilization among U.S. university students, reflecting a blend of cautious exploration and periodic engagement.

University leaders in the U.S. are also slower to embrace generative AI. Only 26% report using AI tools frequently or occasionally, in contrast to their counterparts in the United Arab Emirates (54%) and Singapore (49%), who reported the highest use of generative AI tools. The study’s insights have broader implications for educators, institutions, and technology developers looking to comprehend the evolving role of generative AI tools in higher education.

Students’ AI optimism contradicts university leaders’ concerns
Despite their slower pace of adoption, students in the U.S. see the value of AI. When asked what role AI will play in higher education, students’ top responses were positive with 46% indicating AI would enhance student engagement and interactivity and 38% believing it would be supportive in helping generate ideas. More than 1 in 3 students said AI would revolutionize teaching and learning.

However, higher ed leaders are not as bullish. Only 16% think AI will revolutionize teaching and learning, and more than one-third (35%) of university leaders worry AI will create new challenges in identifying plagiarism. In addition, almost one in five (19%) are concerned AI will exacerbate inequity and perpetuate bias in education.

To support leaders in higher education in addressing AI-related academic integrity issues, Anthology recently announced a new feature in Blackboard Learn Ultra, its learning management system. Anthology Authentic Assessment [16] will help instructors quickly develop complex, situational prompts that require learners to apply skills, knowledge, and judgement – prompts that are more difficult for AI tools to generate.

Despite plagiarism concerns, university leaders indicate cautious optimism
Although university leaders have concerns, 45% say their use of generative AI tools will increase in the next six months. They also cited a number of ways that AI could have a significant impact on higher education and university operations. Nearly 30% of university leaders in the U.S. believe AI can assist with brainstorming and 22% see the value of using AI to draft assessment questions aligned with learning outcomes. Another possible advantage of AI include assistance in course building (17%). Almost 1 in 5 leaders believe AI can help develop enrollment or admission campaigns.

“Understanding the dynamic landscape of AI in higher education is paramount,” said Anthology Chief Executive Officer Bruce Dahlgren. “Our latest findings offer universities critical insights into the opportunities and challenges presented by AI tools. At Anthology, we are dedicated to providing solutions that empower our clients to navigate these technologies thoughtfully and leverage them to enhance the educational experience. Innovation in higher education is a journey and we are guided by our commitment to keep humanity at the helm.”

Through this research, Anthology aims to contribute to the enhancement of the higher education experience for students and universities as they work together to refine how teaching and learning take place.

In addition to the new Authentic Assessment tool, Anthology recently launched the AI Design Assistant [17], which helps instructors quickly create engaging learning experiences in Blackboard Learn Ultra. All product features that leverage AI are developed following [18]Anthology’s Trustworthy AI program [19] and commitment to responsible, lawful and ethical use of AI, which was informed with feedback from clients around the world.

Download the United States edition of AI in Higher Ed: Hype, Harm, or Help [20].


The Open Doors [21]® [22] 2023 Report on International Educational Exchange [23] reveals this that the United States hosted more than one million (1,057,188) international students during the 2022/2023 academic year, a 12% increase compared to the previous academic year. It is the fastest growth rate in more than 40 years. Released by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the [24]Institute of International Education [25] (IIE), the report provides a critical annual benchmark on the state of international educational exchange and student mobility. International students accounted for 6% of the total U.S. higher education population and contributed nearly $38 billion to the U.S. economy according, to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

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Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Lee Satterfield said: “Students from around the world have chosen the United States as the top destination for international study. International education is a vehicle that promotes peace and cross-cultural connections and provides the tools necessary to address the shared challenges of our time. It continues to shape the leaders of the future, both here at home and abroad, and we look forward to doing even more to attract international students to the United States and serve as the global leader in international education.” 

New international student enrollment near all-time high, surpasses pre-pandemic levels
Soaring beyond pre-pandemic levels to nearly record highs, the number of international students who enrolled for the first time at a U.S. college or university during the 2022/2023 academic year increased by 14% year-over-year to 298,523, building on the 80% increase in the prior year. New international students continued to study in every U.S. state and territory, and 48 states reported an increase in international students.

“Over one million international students studying in the U.S. reflects a strong rebound, with the number approaching pre-pandemic levels. This reinforces that the U.S. remains the destination of choice for international students wishing to study abroad, as it has been for more than a century,” said Allan E. Goodman, IIE CEO. “The Open Doors 2023 Report emphasizes that international education is resilient and also integral to universities and countries looking to support global innovation, collaboration, and peace.”

For the first time since 2014/15, international student enrollment across all academic levels increased in 2022/23. Graduate student enrollment increased the most, with 467,027 international students pursuing master’s, doctorate, or professional degrees (+21% year-over-year). Undergraduate student enrollment grew (+1% year-over-year) for the first time in five years.

In addition to enrolled international students, 198,793 students pursued Optional Practical Training (OPT), which supports students to gain practical work experiences after they complete their academic studies.

India reaches an all-time high in international student enrollment
China remained the top-sending country in 2022/23, with 289,526 students studying in the U.S. (-0.2% year-over-year). India, the second largest sending country, reached an all-time high of 268,923 international students in 2022/23, an increase of 35% year-over-year.

Most places of origin (23 of the top 25) increased their total number of international students in the U.S. in 2022/23. In addition, eight places of origin, including Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, India, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, and Spain, reached all-time highs in international student numbers. Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest regional growth (+18% year-over-year), and Ghana entered the top 25 places of origin for the first time with 6,468 international students. Students studied in the United States from over 200 places of origin.

Study abroad bounces back during the 2021/2022 academic year
The Open Doors 2023 Report shows that during the 2021/2022 academic year, U.S. study abroad rebounded to more than half of pre-pandemic levels, with 188,753 students pursuing opportunities abroad for academic credit. The U.S. study abroad total reflects the 2021/22 academic year when travel and study abroad programming were still affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during the fall and winter. The rebound signals a critical turning point in students’ ability to pursue in-person experiences abroad safely.  

“International education, both here at home and abroad, is the ultimate unifier – there is something for everyone. American students from two-year community colleges to four-year universities and beyond, across a wide-range of fields, can study abroad all over the world and bring new perspectives back to their communities,” said Satterfield, who noted her college-aged son studied abroad during the spring semester of 2023.

During the 2021/2022 academic year, nearly half of all students studied abroad in the summer (49%), and the leading destinations continued to be Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, and France. There are positive signs of further growth, as IIE’s 2023 Spring Snapshot Survey [27] reported that 83% of U.S. institutions expected study abroad totals to increase in 2022/23 and beyond.

Fall 2023 Snapshot
U.S. institutions report continued international student growth for Fall 2023
The Fall 2023 International Student Enrollment Snapshot shows continued momentum for international student mobility in the United States. U.S. higher education institutions reported an 8% increase in international students in Fall 2023, with growth across all academic levels and OPT. 

For all places of origin, India continues to be the highest priority for undergraduate and graduate recruitment. Seventy percent of U.S. institutions are prioritizing undergraduate outreach and 80% of U.S. institutions are prioritizing graduate outreach for students in India. Over 630 U.S. higher education institutions participated in the Fall 2023 International Student Enrollment Snapshot. 

To learn more about Open Doors, visit opendoorsdata.org [28]

To learn more about IIE’s Fall Snapshot Survey, visit: https://www.iie.org/publications/fall-2023-snapshot-on-international-student-enrollment/ [29].


Champlain College Online [30] reported this month the results of a new survey exploring how perceptions of online higher education have changed over the last five years. More than 2,000 U.S. adults ages 18-55 were polled about their attitudes and opinions on the value and application of online higher education. The collective results from the 10-question survey show that online degrees are perceived as more credible and more broadly accepted than in the pre-pandemic period, with 84% of adults thinking employers are more accepting of online degrees today than pre-pandemic and 72% of adults believing online education is a more reputable way to get a degree than it was five years ago.

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“The COVID-19 pandemic introduced more institutions and students to the concept of remote learning than ever before,” said Chris Montagnino, Vice President of Champlain College Online. “While there are crucial differences when comparing the remote education seen during the pandemic and intentionally designed online education, high-quality online education provides a level of accessibility, flexibility and cost-effectiveness that can be life-changing for students. We’ve often talked about adult learners benefiting the most from online education options, and we’re excited to see that both our survey data and our enrollment trends reflect a growing population of younger adults pursuing online degrees and understanding their value.”

In the past five years, Champlain College Online fielded two surveys, one in the fall of 2017 with Full Circle Research and one in the summer of 2023 with Researchscape International. Both used randomized, nationally representative samples of 1,004 (2017) and 2,083 (2023) U.S. adults designed to create equivalent segments by gender and region to make meaningful comparisons across subgroups.

Key takeaways include:

Comprehensive survey result data is available upon request. For more information about online degrees and education options, visit online.champlain.edu [32].

Believing the hope, not the hype, of AI

Posted By Kevin Hogan On In Innovation Insights,News,Teaching & Learning | Comments Disabled

How much longer will our newsfeeds be stuffed with headlines either extolling AI as the greatest thing since sliced bread or damning it as a sign of the coming education apocalypse? It’s going to be a while I’m afraid. In the meantime, I suggest you listen to this insightful interview with Dr. Eric Wang, Vice President of AI at Turnitin, who puts much of the hoopla into context. 

Turnitin has been working in AI since before it was cool—25 years this month. The company’s tools are built into popular learning management system (LMS) workflows across 16,000 institutions, in 140 countries, and used by over 40 million students at both the k-12 and higher ed level. In April 2023, Turnitin launched its AI writing detection tool, which as of July 2023 has processed over 76 million paper submissions.

Eric conjures a future where AI detection tools in education serve as a means to foster learning and growth rather than a gotcha app meant to punish or shame students. The goal is not to discourage AI use but to teach students how to use the tool effectively while valuing authentic human work. Click below to listen and scroll down for some takeaways and other resources offered by Turnitin.

Key Takeaways:

Want to dig deeper? Here is the white paper just released by Turnitin’s AI scientist team [33], led by Dr. Wang explaining the efficacy results and protocols that Turnitin employed when testing their AI detection capabilities.

You can download this infographic as well by clicking on it:

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How to demystify DEI

Posted By Kevin Hogan On In Innovation Insights,News,Resources | Comments Disabled

What’s in an acronym? Somehow, in this crazy, post-pandemic, hotly-politicized state of play, DEI is either an essential new layer in the higher ed experience or the ultimate bogeyman of woke culture.

In this reassuring conversation with eCampus News, Holly Rider-Milkovich, VP of Education Strategy at Vector Solutions [35], provides a hopeful perspective on the future of DEI in education, with a focus on practical, evidence-based strategies and a belief in the commitment of students to drive positive change. Click below to listen and scroll down for some key takeaways:

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Topics include:

Big deals: New programs tackle counterfeiting, support teacher development, and enhance distance learning

Posted By Kevin Hogan On In Classroom Innovation,Innovation Insights,News,Teaching & Learning | Comments Disabled

George Mason University’s Terrorism, [37] Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) [38] announced its second annual Bring Down Counterfeiting Hackathon [39]. This event awarded $50,000 in prizes last year in a policy-focused competition that attracted over 200 registrants from around the world. This year TraCCC is partnering with the US Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation Policy Center [40] to challenge teams from U.S. academic institutions, companies, or other affiliations to design and propose novel technical and policy solutions that prevent counterfeit and pirated goods from entering the stream of commerce and reaching the hands of consumers. They are also seeking tools that help recognize the spoofing of official US government websites, trademarks, and other services. The hackathon has announced a grand prize of $20,000 for the best solution presented. Strategy and analytic firm Blue Clarity [41] returns to administer the competition.

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This year, challenge organizers are looking for novel technical solutions such as new technology to advance counterfeited product identification devices or advanced algorithms to secure supply chains and identify counterfeit goods. The most desirable solutions should have direct applicability to stated challenges that government agencies like the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and others are actively working to overcome. 

Dr. Louise Shelley, Director of TraCCC at George Mason University explains TraCCC’s commitment to studying and addressing the industry-wide, global challenge of counterfeiting: “Counterfeiting is a crime that affects us all. This hackathon will bring students together with policymakers, academic institutions, domain and private sector experts, and other professionals to raise awareness of the threats and generate powerful new ideas to stop this criminal activity. The results will also be used to inform our ongoing research on counterfeit and other criminal supply chain networks.”

This challenge launched in August and is open to anyone. Registration for the event is free and not only offers the opportunity to win $20,000 but also to learn about what can be done to combat counterfeiting. The Terrorism and Transnational Crime and Corruption Center, a research center at George Mason University, is the first center in the United States devoted to understanding the links between terrorism, transnational crime and corruption, as well as teaching, researching, training, and helping to formulate policy on these critical issues. TraCCC’s research is disseminated to the public through conferences, congressional testimony, TraCCC’s book series and other publications.

Alliant International University [43] and San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) have partnered through SDUSD’s TEACH-LEAD program in order to support aspiring teachers on their educational journey. TEACH-LEAD San Diego (TLSD) is San Diego Unified’s latest endeavor focused on eliminating barriers that hold future educators back from pursuing their goals. The new program offers both financial and personalized pathway resources to individuals beginning or continuing their journey towards a career as a teacher. TEACH-LEAD San Diego is the district’s new “grow your own” teacher pipeline program, dedicated to supporting individuals in becoming teachers in their local communities.

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Through this partnership, employees of SDUSD can pursue their single subject or education specialist credential at Alliant with or without a master’s degree in education with a 20% tuition savings and application fee waiver. Those who currently hold a teaching credential can complete a bilingual added authorization in Spanish or Mandarin so they can teach in a dual-language classroom. In addition, SDUSD & Alliant have an internship agreement allowing candidates to serve as the teacher of record (once intern eligible) with salary and benefits while completing their credential program. “We believe that every student deserves a qualified and impactful teacher in the classroom, no matter their background, circumstance, or zip-code,” said Dr. Kristy Pruitt, dean of the California School of Education at Alliant International University. “We also believe that every aspiring teacher deserves the opportunity and support they need to become a teacher. That is why this partnership with TEACH-LEAD is such a natural fit, and we look forward to growing our impact together.”

Alchemy [45], a leading education technology and services provider, announced its partnership with Brightpoint Community College, a member of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). This strategic collaboration aims to accelerate the transformation of Brightpoint’s distance learning offerings, transitioning 10 of their online degree programs from a traditional 15-week session to a more agile 7-week format in order to better meet the needs of today’s learners who seek more flexible educational opportunities. The initiative also endeavors to reduce student costs, foster enriched student-instructor interactivity and enhance overall course engagement by emphasizing open educational resources (OER).

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Alchemy brings to Brightpoint a unique combination of technology and services that enable a dynamic learning design partnership. Alchemy’s team of expert learning designers will work closely with faculty to tailor each course to meet the specific learning objectives and requirements of the subject matter. At the same time, faculty will have access to Alchemy’s groundbreaking technology platform, Curie [47], a centralized workspace that houses interactive resources designed to optimize the process of developing humanized, inclusive and engaged learning experiences.

Brightpoint faculty will also be supported by Alchemy’s Faculty [48] Concierge [49] service, through which faculty members will have 24/7 access to expert guidance and specialized resources whenever they need them. This robust support system will enable faculty to continuously iterate and enhance their courses, incorporating new technologies and evolving their teaching approach.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Brightpoint in their ongoing efforts to enhance distance learning for modern learners,” said Carrie O’Donnell, founder and CEO of Nectar, Inc., parent company to Alchemy. “This collaboration will not only continue to elevate the quality of their courses but also provide their faculty with personalized resources and just-in-time support to continue to create increasingly meaningful and engaging learning experiences for their students going forward.”

Big Deals—New initiatives for HBCUs

Posted By Kevin Hogan On In DEIA,Innovation Insights,News | Comments Disabled

The PROPEL Center [50], the first innovation hub created to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), this month launched PROPEL Learn, a student-focused app designed to revolutionize the way HBCU students prepare for future job success. PROPEL Learn will provide culturally-responsive content, curriculum and industry-aligned micro-credentials co-developed by industry experts, distinguished HBCU faculty, and notable workforce collaborators — making this a groundbreaking app for HBCU students at no cost.

Developed in collaboration with Honor Education [51], pioneers in developing teaching and learning software, the PROPEL Learn app will help accelerate learning and bridge the gap between academic preparation and real-world career readiness for HBCU students. Its interface and distinctive engagement features will connect learners to in-depth interaction with facilitators and provide collective feedback from peers outside the classroom. Industry executives and entrepreneurs will share deep insights and unique perspectives to offer students a rare opportunity to learn from those who have achieved sustained success in their careers.

“PROPEL Learn is a pioneering app that empowers HBCU students with the latest technological innovations, shaping the future of our workforce. Our unique approach of co-developing micro- credentials with industry partners and HBCU faculty ensures an unparalleled learning experience for the entire ecosystem of learners,” said Dr. Camesha Whittaker, Senior Vice President of Innovation and Design at PROPEL. “With the ability to reach nearly 300,000 students, PROPEL Learn leaves no institution behind. It is the ultimate solution for advanced engagement, upskilling, and an indispensable companion to all HBCU institutional offerings.”

Upon completion of PROPEL Learn courses, students will receive micro-credentials that provide recognition of industry-aligned competencies and specialized skills attained through short coursework, empowering students with material assets that showcase their proficiencies. In today’s rapidly changing workforce, earning these credentials will help ensure HBCU students are positioned to excel in a competitive job market.

Free to students, registration is now open for PROPEL Learn courses that are set to begin on September 11. Among the offerings are courses that PROPEL developed in collaboration with founding partner Apple covering arts & entertainment, AIML, and coding with Swift. A professional development course titled ‘Discovering Your Professional Superpowers,’ developed in partnership with The Walt Disney Company, will also be available. Additionally, all registered HBCU students on the app will have access to learnings focused on the energy industry, provided by Southern Company, [52] one of PROPEL’s founding partners.

This summer, PROPEL conducted a pilot of the app to garner student input and feedback. Student responses have been positive. An Xavier University student among the cohort of learners enrolled in the ‘Discovering Your Professional Superpowers’ course said “I increased my awareness of networking, professionalism, and learning to adapt to new workspaces while preserving my individuality. I am grateful the PROPEL Learn app offered asynchronous courses and weekly check-ins for the students who could participate.”

Available on iOS and Android, the app will provide HBCU students with a competitive edge, delivering personalized career guidance and mentorship opportunities. Download the free app [53] and join the conversation on social media at #PROPELForward and #PROPELLearn.

edX, a leading global online learning platform from 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU), together with Drake State Technical and Community College [54], a historically black community college, and Jobs for the Future [55] (JFF), today announced the launch of a new Access Partnership to provide adult learners in the Huntsville, Alabama area with access to no cost, fully online boot camp programs in cybersecurity and data analytics. Funded by Truist Foundation [56], the scholarships are designed to increase technical talent in the Huntsville region, specifically focusing on helping women, BIPOC, and lower-income professionals build stronger economic futures.

JFF logo and Drake State logo

edX Access Partnerships [57] is an award-winning social impact program that connects colleges and universities with local workforce agencies and funding partners to create affordable pathways for underserved adult learners to gain career-relevant technology skills. The program is underpinned by edX’s industry-leading boot camp curricula in key technology fields. With a focus on innovation and grassroots relationship building, these public-private partnerships have upskilled more than 3,000 learners in communities in the U.S. and U.K. at little to no cost to learners.

The program [58] will initially be offered to 60 learners in the Huntsville area beginning in November, with 30 seats open in the cybersecurity boot camp and 30 in the data analytics boot camp. Learners who successfully complete the boot camp program will receive college credit that can be applied toward an associate’s degree at Drake State. Over the next three years, the program is estimated to support more than 150 Huntsville area residents.

“Drake State has long been committed to offering flexible, affordable technical degrees and customized skills training to support and enhance the lives of our workforce and the health of our industries across North Alabama,” said Dr. Patricia Sims, President of Drake State. “Our new Access Partnership with edX will help us continue to meet workforce demands by preparing highly-skilled workers to take on roles in Huntsville’s unique blend of space and defense industries, biotechnology, healthcare, and high-tech manufacturing.”

edX has convened over a dozen community partners, including United Way of Madison County [59] and Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce [60], to offer a range of services, including child care services, technology support, transportation assistance, and facilitating connections with potential employer partners, all aimed at providing comprehensive support to learners.

“edX is creating a sustainable workforce development model through our Access Partnerships. By bringing localized leaders in education and economic development together with key funding partners, we are delivering free or significantly reduced-cost, career-relevant education to underserved communities worldwide,” said Anant Agarwal, Founder of edX and Chief Platform Officer at 2U. “Working together with Drake State and other partners in the Huntsville community, we aim to improve access to quality education and help diversify the tech talent pipeline as demand for cybersecurity and data analyst roles continue to grow.”

Access Partnerships are part of edX for Impact – a collective effort to help marginalized learners get the education they need in order to develop the skills to pursue rewarding careers. edX has active Access Partnerships with 19 academic institutions serving learners in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin in the U.S.; Birmingham in the U.K.; and New Brunswick in Canada. The partnerships are supported by more than 90 agencies and community partners, each carefully chosen to support their region’s unique learner populations.

As one of the world’s largest developers of technology talent, edX has supported more than 75,000 boot camp graduates globally with the skills, knowledge, and career resources to achieve their goals. According to a 2U-Gallup survey [61], boot camp graduates surveyed reported being nearly four times happier with their jobs after graduation from the boot camp, and over 86% reported achieving a positive outcome.

MTN DEW is continuing its ongoing commitment to support and uplift diverse gamers by bringing back the MTN DEW Real Change Challenge in 2023. With a focus on increasing representation in esports and gaming, the MTN DEW Real Change Challenge will support HBCU student gamers by sponsoring a nationwide tournament featuring Mortal Kombat 1, the latest installment in the acclaimed Mortal Kombat videogame franchise developed by the award-winning NetherRealm Studios. Contestants will compete for a piece of an overall prize pool of $500,000, coaching and exposure to esports professionals.

MTN DEW Invests in HBCU Gamers to Level the Playing Field with the MTN DEW Real Change Challenge

MTN DEW Invests in HBCU Gamers to Level the Playing Field with the MTN DEW Real Change Challenge “Following the success of the MTN DEW Real Change Challenge last year we’re pleased to continue this initiative once again in 2023,” said JP Bittencourt, VP of Marketing, MTN DEW. “Mortal Kombat is one of the most iconic game franchises of all time, and being able to partner with them for the MTN DEW Real Change Challenge is truly an honor.”

For the 2023 MTN DEW Real Change Challenge, the brand is once again partnering with Cxmmunity Media, an organization dedicated to future-proofing diversity and equity in gaming and creators of the HBCU Esports League, to bring the Challenge back to HBCU students nationwide. New to 2023, the Real Change Challenge will for the first-time be a nationwide HBCU Mortal Kombat 1 tournament. The tournament will kick-off October 2nd, 2023 with sign-ups open to all current HBCU students, now through September 8th at hbcuesports.co/realchange [62].

To celebrate the launch of this year’s Real Change Challenge, MTN DEW is joining forces with RDCWorld [63], a creative collective of entertainers, and bringing the Real Change Challenge to its annual Gaming and Anime convention, Dream Con [64], from July 28th to July 30th in Austin, TX.  At Dream Con, 20,000 attendees will join MTN DEW and RDCWorld to celebrate the return of the Real Change Challenge, as well as enjoying the MTN DEW hosted Mortal Kombat 11 Amateur and Celebrity tournaments, and The Faces of Real Change in Gaming panel – which will focus on representation in the esports industry.

The 2023 MTN DEW Real Change Challenge will be a 64-player 1v1 bracket style tournament with 4 rounds of double-elimination style game play, leading to the final 12 going head-to-head in a Live Championship in Atlanta on October 28th. The Championship will culminate in a face-off between the top two players for the chance to not only take home the bragging rights, but also taking home the 1st place prize of $45,000. 

To bring fans along on the journey of our 64 participating HBCU students, MTN DEW and the HBCU Esports League will broadcast all tournament matches highlighting the HBCU gamers and their paths to the Real Change Challenge Championship. DEW Nation and gaming fans everywhere can tune in to Cxmmunity Media’s Twitch Channel [65] beginning October 2nd to catch the tournament live.

To get more information on the MTN DEW Real Change Challenge and find out how to enter check out mountaindew.com/real-change [66] and follow @MTNDEWGaming on Instagram and Twitter and @MTNDEW_Gaming on Tik Tok.

eCampus Live@ INSTRUCTURECON 2023

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Breaking news out of day two at Instructure [67]‘s professional learning event for educators and edtech users in Denver. The company announced a partnership with Khan Academy [68] to integrate Khanmigo, Khan’s AI-powered student tutor and teaching assistantCanvas, into Canvas, the market-leading learning management system. We caught Instructure CEO Steve Daly just after the announcement to provide some context and provide a timeline for when Canvas will be updated with Khanmigo. Scroll down for more details and look for more in-depth conversations With Daly and other senior executives on the Innovation Insights podcast next week.

From the press release: This integrated solution will put the transformative power of generative AI into the hands of students and educators using the Canvas learning environment.

Generative AI represents an opportunity to enhance the role of technology in supporting educators and creating efficiencies in their day-to-day instruction. This new solution will harness this transformative moment by enabling educators with an integrated Khanmigo experience that supports human-driven, technology-enhanced essay feedback and grading, lesson planning and rubric creation. This solution is a large step forward in delivering personalization for each student while allowing busy educators to scale their excellence and impact in ways unimaginable a few short months ago.

For students, the use of generative AI presents significant opportunities and challenges. In a world filled with intelligent agents and easily-accessed answers, the need for tools that guide, enhance and support active learning is critical.  Initially focusing on student writing, Instructure and Khan Academy aim to support students and their learning through Khanmigo’s tutoring capabilities. By helping students use generative AI ethically, equitably, and with integrity, demonstrating an authentic work product becomes easy and clear.

“Generative AI, and tools like ChatGPT, have been a part of every conversation I have had this year with leaders, learners and instructors across our global education community,” said Instructure CEO Steve Daly. “This partnership with Khan Academy and its deep expertise in  generative AI will deliver a powerful solution for one of the world’s largest education communities – delivering an intentional, secure and equitable experience that promotes impactful learning experiences for all.”

Instructure’s Learn Platform independent research team, along with Khan Academy’s educational research team, will jointly design research for early adopters, to measure the impact of these tools on student outcomes – delivering insight into the efficacy of the tools and the utilization of AI to assist teachers and students in achieving their learning outcomes.

“Every educator we talk to is seeking ways to address students using ChatGPT to write school essays and do homework,” said Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy. “How can classrooms use AI tools, while ensuring students develop critical thinking skills? We’re teaming up with Instructure to solve this. We’re using AI to show teachers not just the final essay, but how the student got there. So students will be supported in developing critical writing and thinking skills, while getting the benefit of AI designed for education. Khanmigo can also help with rubric creation and grading, saving teachers time. Students won’t get answers, but they will get appropriate levels of support.”

Instructure and Khan Academy will bring Canvas and Khanmigo together for a cohort of K-12 and Higher Ed design partners and early adopters during the 2024-2025 school year. Institutions interested in piloting this solution can sign up in the Emerging AI Marketplace [69].

Data Dump for July 2023

Posted By Kevin Hogan On In Innovation Insights,News | Comments Disabled

Americans’ confidence in higher education has fallen to 36%, sharply lower than in two prior readings in 2015 (57%) and 2018 (48%). In addition to the 17% of U.S. adults who have “a great deal” and 19% “quite a lot” of confidence, 40% have “some” and 22% “very little” confidence.

The latest decline in the public’s trust in higher education is from a June Gallup poll [70] that also found confidence in 16 other institutions [70] has been waning in recent years. Many of these entities, which are tracked more often than higher education, are now also at or near their lowest points in confidence. Although diminished, higher education ranks fourth in confidence among the 17 institutions measured, with small business, the military and the police in the top three spots. This was also the case in 2018, the last time higher education was included in the list of institutions.

In 2015, majorities of Americans in all key subgroups expressed confidence in higher education, with one exception — independents (48%). By 2018, though, confidence had fallen [71] across all groups, with the largest drop, 17 percentage points, among Republicans. In the latest measure, confidence once again fell across the board, but Republicans’ sank the most — 20 points to 19%, the lowest of any group. Confidence among adults without a college degree and those aged 55 and older dropped nearly as much as Republicans’ since 2018.

Even though all subgroups show declining confidence in higher education, significant gaps persist among political, educational, gender and age subgroups. Notably, the only key subgroup with majority-level confidence in higher education is Democrats (59%).

Americans’ confidence in higher education, which showed a marked decrease between 2015 and 2018, has declined further to a new low point. While Gallup did not probe for reasons behind the recent drop in confidence, the rising costs of postsecondary education likely play a significant role.

There is a growing divide between Republicans’ and Democrats’ confidence in higher education. Previous Gallup polling [72] found that Democrats expressed concern about the costs, while Republicans registered concern about politics in higher education.

View complete question responses and trends (PDF download). [73]

Michigan State University’s Education Policy Innovation Collaborative released a study [74] this month that examines a teacher preparation program in Michigan and sheds light on some reasons for the Black teacher shortage.

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New McKinsey research [80] finds that most higher education students want to continue to incorporate at least some aspects of online learning into their education. However, a significant share of students are dissatisfied with the online experiences their universities offer, signaling that higher education institutions could benefit by evolving their online learning models.

To ascertain which learning models higher education students prefer and why, as well as what they find satisfying about online education and which elements of the online learning experience they value most, they surveyed 7,000 students across 17 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East The research covers eight dimensions of the online learning experience encompassing 24 attributes [81], thereby providing a broad view of what higher education students want. 

Big Deals in Higher Ed

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The Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things (WIoT) at Northeastern University [82] announces the establishment of an Open Testing and Integration Center (OTIC) in Burlington, MA, to promote research, development, and testing of next-generation Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN). The new OTIC within the Open6G hub will be a resource for industry, academia, and the federal government to provide testing, certification, and badging capabilities to guarantee multi-vendor interoperability, perform compliance and performance testing, and validate end-to-end control logic; as well as test artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms to control open and programmable cellular networks.

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The new Northeastern OTIC builds on facilities and capabilities available in the Open6G center, which will be expanded with dedicated testing equipment. Key capabilities include: 

The Northeastern OTIC has been launched in partnership with AT&T, Verizon, and DISH. The WIoT industry consortium, which has been supporting this effort, counts about 20 vendors, operators, over-the-top system integrators, and small businesses in the telecom space. 

Seekr [85], a leading artificial intelligence (AI) company specializing in transparent content evaluation, today announced a consultative effort with the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics [86] at Santa Clara University to embed ethical considerations into the development of its groundbreaking news rating system.

The Markkula Center conducted a months-long, impartial review of the technology, providing Seekr engineers with actionable insights. As part of its continuous improvement in Machine Learning, Seekr has applied this guidance to its best-in-class training approach to enable greater precision, accuracy, quality, and objectivity of Seekr’s scoring system for news.

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Seekr is the first known technology platform that employs AI and natural language processing (NLP) to evaluate and rate news content for reliability, transparency, and quality based on adherence to journalism standards.

“Journalism and media ethics are understood to be critical for journalists and news publishers, but less appreciated is its need and crucial applicability for search and social media products which distribute the news we read every day,” said Subramaniam Vincent, director of journalism and media ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. “We are very happy to have contributed inputs on using journalism ethics standards for news distribution to the product team at Seekr.”

The Markkula Center’s evaluation is one of several independent reviews of Seekr’s groundbreaking technology. Last month, Seekr announced the formation of an independent Journalist Advisory Board comprising accomplished journalists and decorated news editors whose collective guidance and expertise helps inform Seekr’s understanding of journalism standards.

Woxsen University [88] commissions Phase-1 of its Solar Power generation on campus. With this, the university has successfully followed through with its commitment announced last year in November. The commissioning was inaugurated by Sridhar Gadhi, Founder & Exec. Chairman, Quantela and Revathy Ashok, Co-Founder, Strategy Garage.

Sridhar Gadhi, Founder & Exec. Chairman, Quantela and Revathy Ashok, Co-Founder, Strategy Garage, inaugurating the Phase-1 of Solar Power generation at Woxsen University

Sridhar Gadhi, Founder & Exec. Chairman, Quantela and Revathy Ashok, Co-Founder, Strategy Garage, inaugurating the Phase-1 of Solar Power generation at Woxsen University

Ratna Rakhi Pula (CF & AO, Woxsen University), Dr. Raul V Rodriguez (Vice-President, Woxsen University), Dr. Krishna Chalam (Vice-Chancellor, Woxsen University), Vishal Khurma (CEO-Woxsen University), Sridhar Gadhi (Founder & Exec. Chairman, Quantela), Revathy Ashok (Co-Founder, Strategy Garage), Dr. M. Rammohan Rao (Former Director, IIM Bangalore), Praveen K. Pula (Chancellor-Woxsen University) in AI & Robotics lab at Woxsen Univeristy.

Ratna Rakhi Pula (CF & AO, Woxsen University), Dr. Raul V Rodriguez (Vice-President, Woxsen University), Dr. Krishna Chalam (Vice-Chancellor, Woxsen University), Vishal Khurma (CEO-Woxsen University), Sridhar Gadhi (Founder & Exec. Chairman, Quantela), Revathy Ashok (Co-Founder, Strategy Garage), Dr. M. Rammohan Rao (Former Director, IIM Bangalore), Praveen K. Pula (Chancellor-Woxsen University) in AI & Robotics lab at Woxsen Univeristy.

Phase-1 is currently slated to generate 328 kW of the total 1MW, which will cover the energy requirement of the most important administrative and academic blocks. These blocks house all the state-of-art learning spaces, high-tech labs and central library situated at the heart of the 200 Acre residential campus. The labs include the AI & Robotics Lab and Bloomberg Finance Lab which is one of the largest in Asia and the Central Library which is the largest in India. The university aims to achieve an installed capacity of 1 MW by the end of 2023. This major launch will significantly contribute to Woxsen’s aim of reducing its carbon footprint and towards becoming Net Zero.

Woxsen University’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond energy conservation. The institution actively promotes various initiatives, including waste management, water conservation and eco-friendly practices on campus. By incorporating solar energy into its operations, the university is at the forefront of the green movement in the education sector.

Woxsen University, located in Hyderabad, is one of the first private universities of the state of Telangana, India. Renowned for its 200-acre state-of-the-art campus and infrastructure, Woxsen University offers new-age, disruptive programs in the fields of Business, Technology, Arts & Design, Architecture, Law, Liberal Arts & Humanities, Sciences. With 100+ Global Partner Universities and Strong Industry Connect, Woxsen is reckoned as one of the top universities for Academic Excellence and Global Edge. 

Echo360 [89], the most comprehensive, global, SaaS-based video platform for creating, delivering, and measuring learning engagement outcomes in any learning environment, announced a new professional learning commitment and leader at its annual virtual community conference this month. 

EchoProfessional Learning (e.PL) will support and expand the pedagogical impact of Echo360 customers, partners, and solutions for higher education, building regional and global communities of inspired learning leaders. 

EchoProfessional Learning (e.PL) will support and expand Echo360's communities of inspired learning leaders in higher education from around the world.

e.PL made its global debut at the company’s EchoExperience 2023 pre-conference customer workshop, which convened over 200 customers from around the world to hear and apply best practices from higher ed instructors from The University of Otago, Howard University, Gallaudet University, and University College London. Moving forward, e.PL’s suite of engagement offerings will also include:

EchoProfessional Learning (e.PL) is led by Alison Maloney, an academic and professional development veteran who brings over 20 years of experience to the role, including work at Heinemann, Merril, and Pearson prior to Echo360. 

Gravyty [90]announced its groundbreaking fundraising and engagement software platform for higher education advancement and alumni relations teams. The Gravyty higher education platform revolutionizes how university advancement teams engage, solicit and steward students, alumni and donors through personalization, seamless integrations and AI. Through the fully integrated platform, institutions will benefit from sustainable long-term growth, reportable ROI and a simplified user experience.

Gravyty launches first-of-its-kind platform for higher education advancement (PRNewsfoto/Gravyty)

“We’re thrilled to be able to provide a holistic platform that helps institutions solve for the challenges they face in advancement—from engaging with alumni at scale to executing a dynamic digital fundraising strategy to stewarding donors and building pipeline year-round,” said Josh Robertson, VP of Product at Gravyty.

Robertson continued, “We’ve designed the platform to get smarter as insights grow. The data and analytics provided in the platform paired with the cyclical approach to engagement, fundraising and stewardship provides schools with a comprehensive advancement solution.”