Last week, the University of Alberta and Udacity signed a memorandum of understanding launching a research partnership to jointly develop delivery methods, assessment tools and measurement mechanisms for online learning courses and experiences.
“This is an opportunity for us to explore and better understand online learning for the benefit of our students,” said Martin Ferguson-Pell, acting provost and vice-president (academic). “This is also an opportunity for our researchers to be part of building advanced learning solutions, based on their expertise in machine learning, pedagogy and assessment, that advances the field of online learning. This is not the University of Alberta jumping on the online bandwagon. It’s University of Alberta researchers helping build the bandwagon.”
In addition to working together to improve the delivery and measurement of online learning activities, the partnership sets the stage for the University of Alberta to develop and deliver courses through the Udacity platform.
“Expanding awareness of the rigour and excellence of the University of Alberta, via Udacity’s digital platform, to a whole new world of students around the globe is a fantastic opportunity for the university and for Alberta,” said Ferguson-Pell. This pilot will help us build upon their experiences and expertise at the institutional level so that those faculty members who want to explore online learning can do so with as much knowledge and support as possible.”
