Thomas Edison State University’s educational partner and global online learning platform, edX®, has announced 10 finalists in its 8th Annual Prize for Exceptional Contributions in Online Teaching and Learning. Landing a coveted spot on that list is the University’s MicroBachelors® Program course in Information Literacy.
“We are elated about this distinction and applaud edX’s unique dedication to fostering information literacy skills and their ability to offer free and open course alternatives that equate to a quality education for all,” noted Dr. Merodie Hancock, president of TESU. “We look forward to our continued partnership.”
The Information Literacy (SOS-1100) course is a modular, stackable online course offered through edX that helps learners enhance their information literacy skills and critical-thinking competencies as they prepare for subsequent college-level studies. Students apply their expanding literacy skills in their academic courses, careers and personal lives. The introductory course is also a degree requirement for students at TESU.
The University has been a proud partner, course provider and credit aggregator for edX’s MicroBachelors Programs since 2020. The organization’s credit-backed stackable credentials marked a milestone in online learning when they were introduced and continue to provide an innovative and affordable pathway to a bachelor’s degree for a multitude of learners.
“We are proud to have our Information Literacy program recognized and nominated for this prestigious award,” said Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon, vice provost for Strategic Initiatives and Institutional Effectiveness at TESU, who oversees the partnership. “The course’s launch on the platform in 2022 marked the expansion of our existing partnership with edX and is offered alongside Harvard University; New York University; Arizona State University; University of California, Berkley; Doane University; IBM; University of Pennsylvania; Imperial College London; and Smithsonian Institution courses on the edX platform – all leading to credits in pursuit of an accredited associate or bachelor’s degree.”
According to Harmon, TESU now offers 74 transfer credits that may be completed on the edX platform and the pool of evaluated courses for college credit continues to grow.
According to the edX announcement, the 2023 finalists include a range of venerable academic programs and institutions, all of which have made exceptional contributions to the quality and efficacy of open online education.
Anant Agarwal, edX founder and chief platform officer at 2U, commended the outstanding achievements of the finalists, in a statement, “This remarkable group of educators continues to embody the unwavering passion, dedication and innovation within the edX partner network. The 2023 edX prize finalists represent diverse institutions and disciplines and are steadfast in their mission to expand society’s knowledge and understanding through free and open courses. On behalf of the millions of learners on the edX platform, we extend our gratitude for their tireless efforts to fuel the world’s ambition through education.”
The winner of the 2023 edX Prize for Exceptional Contributions in Online Teaching and Learning will be announced in October during the 2023 Global Forum, a gathering of edX’s partners and an international compendium of leaders in online education.
Learn more about TESU’s Information Literacy course offered through the edX platform. To learn more about the MicroBachelors Programs by edX, visit tesu.edu/degree-completion/edx.
About edX®
A global online learning platform was originally developed in 2012 by Harvard and MIT with the mission to make high-quality education accessible to everyone. Today, as part of 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU), edX connects more than 78 million learners with online learning opportunities that cater to their professional needs. Collaborating with top-ranked universities and organizations, edX offers a wide range of programs across various career disciplines, from artificial intelligence and robotics to sustainability and public health.
Toni M. Terry, BA