Open Learning Network

The Next Generation Learning Challange has announced a call for proposals that cover its four themes of

• Blended learning
• Learner analytics
• Deeper learning
• Open educational resources

This first call is backed by the Gates Foundation with $20m. The deadline for first step proposal is November 19 2010.

Key dates and facts

• Register intent to apply: 30 June 2010
• Proposals due: 5:00 pm PT, 9 August 2010
• Recipient announcements: 3 September 2010

Through the Incubator project, Talis is providing Angel Funding and support for projects that further Open Education. The review board has been working through the various proposals, and have recently announced 8 finalists:

OU staff Patrick McAndrew (IET, Director of OLnet), Simon Buckingham Shum (Senior lecturer KMI working on SocialLearn and OLnet), Karen Cropper (IET, Project and Liaison Manager OLnet) and Freda Wolfenden (FELS and TESSA) all attended The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation 2010 Grantees Meeting at Yale University on 8-10 April 2010.  At this meeting the Hewlett Foundation presented for the first time to a public audience their new funding strategy for the next 7 years.

In the consultation that led to the Learning Revolution White Paper, many people asked for better information about informal learning. They wanted information to be pulled together online so that it's much easier to both find out and make informed about informal learning opportunities, whether they are in the public, voluntary, self-organised or private sector.