Georgia Tech Partners with edX to Offer Online Courses
ATLANTA - January 29, 2016 - The Georgia Institute of Technology has signed an agreement with edX, the nonprofit online learning destination, to offer massive open online courses (MOOCs) for learners around the world. The first Georgia Tech class, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Accessibility, is open for enrollment and will address the importance of developing an inclusive workplace for employees and customers with disabilities. The Institute AMAC Accessibility Solutions and Research Center is launching the course in partnership with the United Nations Global Initiative on Inclusion.
Offering courses under the brand GTx, Georgia Tech joins a consortium of edX partners that has instructed more than 6 million learners since its inception. Additional Georgia Tech courses will be announced later in 2016. GTx will also explore credit programs on edX and innovative ways of making traditional GT programs available to more learners.
“The student and classroom of the 21st century continue to evolve,” said Georgia Tech Provost Rafael L. Bras. “Higher education must prepare the learner not just for their first job after graduation, but also for their third or fourth. Our partnership with edX will allow Georgia Tech to reach traditional learners, as well as early and mid career professionals, in new and novel ways, creating lifelong learning opportunities befitting a successful and fulfilling career.”
The Institute offered its first MOOC in 2012. Since then, more than 1 million students have enrolled in Georgia Tech online courses. Today’s announcement marks the Institute’s continued expansion as a leader in online learning, with partnerships including three of the world’s most successful online platforms: edX, Coursera and Udacity.
“We are excited to launch GTx in partnership with edX. We believe that the faculty and student-centric tools provided by this platform will play a unique role in Georgia Tech’s MOOC portfolio,” said Richard DeMillo, the executive director of Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities. “This partnership with edX furthers the strategic goals of Georgia Tech’s Education Innovation Council and will provide world-wide access to the university’s courses and programs.
“We are proud to welcome Georgia Tech as the latest edX Charter Member,” said Anant Agarwal, edX CEO and MIT Professor. “As a pioneer in online learning, Georgia Tech will bring its expertise and innovative online coursework and programs to the global edX learning community. Their first course on accessibility is something we are deeply committed to at edX, and we are honored to bring education on this important topic to millions of learners around the globe. ”
