Open Academic Analytics Consortium Selected from Field of 600+
Applicants and 50 Finalists
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va., Apr 11, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
American
Public University System (APUS) (NASDAQ: APEI) today announced that
it has been awarded part of a $250,000 grant from Next
Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC) as a member of the Open
Academic Analytics Initiative (OAAI). Designed and funded by the Bill &
Melinda Gates and William & Flora Hewlett Foundations, NGLC is
focused on identifying and scaling technology-enabled approaches to
dramatically improve college readiness and completion, especially for
low-income young adults, in the United States.
The OAAI consortium, led by Marist College, also includes Cerritos
College, College of the Redwoods, Howard University and Savannah State
University. It will collaborate on technical work, pilot activities, and
exploratory research in support of the Sakai learning management system.
In addition, APUS will continue to work with IBM on local Sakai
implementation, according to APUS Scholar-in-Residence and former
Provost Dr. Frank McCluskey.
"We're very pleased to be recognized by NGLC for our collective effort
to develop and pilot the application of academic analytics in a diverse
range of educational environments," said McCluskey. "We successfully
began implementing Sakai
at APUS last year to help monitor student trending data to help better
predict and intervene when they may need help in the classroom. Coupled
with our past recognition by the Sloan
Consortium for excellence and best practices in online education,
this initiative further validates our standing commitment to provide the
optimum student experience and learning outcomes."
"As a large, fully-online institution with a commitment to quality
education, APUS will provide a unique opportunity to research best
practices associated with implementing academic analytics in online
courses," said Josh Baron, principal investigator for the OAAI grant and
senior academic technology officer for Marist College. "They will also
enable us to better understand how to support online students to help
ensure their academic success."
About Next Generation Learning Challenges
NGLC focuses on identifying and scaling technology-enabled approaches to
dramatically improve college readiness and completion by addressing a
continuum of interrelated issues spanning secondary and postsecondary
education from grades 6 through college. NGLC is led by EDUCAUSE in
partnership with The League for Innovation in the Community College, the
International Association of K-12 Online Learning, and the Council of
Chief State School Officers. In addition to funding, NGLC is gathering
evidence about effective practices, and working to develop a community
dedicated to these persistent challenges. The Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation helped design
the Next Generation Learning Challenges, and fund the initiative.
About American Public University System
American
Public University System, winner of the Sloan Consortium's 2009
Ralph E. Gomory Award for Quality Online Education and two-time
recipient of Sloan's Effective Practices Award, offers 79 online degree
programs through American
Public University and American
Military University. APUS's relevant curriculum, affordability and
flexibility help more than 83,000 working adults worldwide pursue
degrees in subjects ranging from homeland security to management and
liberal arts. For further information on APUS, please visit www.apus.edu.
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regarding expected growth and share repurchase activity. Actual results
could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these
forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the
various risks described in the "Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2010 as filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to
update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, even if
new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.
SOURCE: American Public University System (APUS)
APUS
Brian Muys, 703-334-3225
bmuys@apus.edu
or
Marist College
Tim Massie, 845-575-3174
timmian.massie@marist.edu