edX

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| audio1 = [http://degreeoffreedom.org/interview-with-edx-president-anant-agarwal/ Interview with edX President Anant Agarwal] [17:47] on the first anniversary of edX, Degree of Freedom{{cite web | title =Interview with edX President Anant Agarwal | publisher =Degree of Freedom (MOOC blog) | date =May 10, 2013 | url =http://degreeoffreedom.org/interview-with-edx-president-anant-agarwal/ | access-date =May 10, 2013 | archive-date =November 13, 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131113144346/http://degreeoffreedom.org/interview-with-edx-president-anant-agarwal/ | url-status =live }} }}

edX was founded in May 2012 by the administrations of MIT and Harvard,{{Cite news|url = http://web.mit.edu/press/2012/mit-harvard-edx-announcement.html|title = MIT and Harvard announce edX|date = May 2, 2012

|work = MIT media relations|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121107003542/http://web.mit.edu/press/2012/mit-harvard-edx-announcement.html|archive-date = 2012-11-07}} based on the MITx initiative, created by Piotr Mitros, Rafael Reif, and Anant Agarwal in 2011 at MIT. Gerry Sussman, Anant Agarwal, Chris Terman, and Piotr Mitros taught the first edX course on circuits and electronics from MIT, drawing 155,000 students from 162 countries. In 2013 they partnered with Stanford and in June 2013 they reached 1 million students.{{Cite news|url = http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2013/6/20/edx-million-students-benchmark/|title = EdX Enrollment Reaches Seven Digits|last = Conway|first = Madeline R.|date = June 20, 2013|work = The Harvard Crimson|access-date = July 19, 2014|archive-date = July 26, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140726230654/http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2013/6/20/edx-million-students-benchmark/|url-status = live}} edx.org released as open source, creating Open edX.

In September 2014 edX announced a high school initiative.{{Cite news|url = https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/09/09/online-education-company-edx-expanding-offer-free-courses-aimed-high-school-students/wWdR6XQakRKIxAhaH580ZP/story.html|title = Online education company edX offering free high school courses|last = Rocheleau|first = Matt|date = September 10, 2014|work = The Boston Globe|access-date = September 10, 2014|archive-date = October 21, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181021024801/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/09/09/online-education-company-edx-expanding-offer-free-courses-aimed-high-school-students/wWdR6XQakRKIxAhaH580ZP/story.html|url-status = live}} The following month, edX announced professional development courses,{{Cite news|url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/corporate-training-gets-an-online-refresh-1412194344|title = Corporate Training Gets an Online Refresh|last = Korn|first = Melissa|date = October 1, 2014|work = The Washington Post|access-date = October 22, 2014|archive-date = December 15, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141215181113/http://www.wsj.com/articles/corporate-training-gets-an-online-refresh-1412194344|url-status = live}} and in March 2015 it partnered with Microsoft.{{Cite web|title = Microsoft and edX Partner to Deliver Real World Skill Learning (EdSurge News)|date = 10 March 2015|url = https://www.edsurge.com/n/2015-03-10-microsoft-and-edx-partner-to-deliver-real-world-skill-learning|access-date = 2015-04-27|archive-date = 2015-03-18|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150318045626/https://www.edsurge.com/n/2015-03-10-microsoft-and-edx-partner-to-deliver-real-world-skill-learning|url-status = live}}

In April 2015, edX partnered with Arizona State University to launch the Global Freshman Academy.{{Cite news|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/arizona-state-university-to-offer-freshman-year-online-for-credit/2015/04/22/17df61e8-e921-11e4-9767-6276fc9b0ada_story.html|title = Arizona State University to Offer Freshman Year Online, For Credit|last = Anderson|first = Nick|date = April 22, 2015|work = The Washington Post|access-date = April 22, 2015|archive-date = April 28, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150428005108/http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/arizona-state-university-to-offer-freshman-year-online-for-credit/2015/04/22/17df61e8-e921-11e4-9767-6276fc9b0ada_story.html|url-status = live}}

In September 2016, edX launched 19 MicroMasters programs.{{Cite news|url=https://news.mit.edu/2016/thirteen-universities-adopt-micromasters-and-launch-18-new-programs-via-edx-0920|title=Thirteen universities adopt MicroMasters and launch 18 new programs via edX|work=MIT News|access-date=2017-03-22|archive-date=2017-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323053549/http://news.mit.edu/2016/thirteen-universities-adopt-micromasters-and-launch-18-new-programs-via-edx-0920|url-status=live}} It launched an additional 16 MicroMasters programs the next year.{{Cite web|url=https://campustechnology.com/articles/2017/03/01/edx-expands-micromasters-programs-with-data-science-digital-leadership-and-more.aspx|title=edX Expands MicroMasters Programs With Data Science, Digital Leadership and More -- Campus Technology|website=Campus Technology|language=en|access-date=2017-03-22|archive-date=2018-02-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212190258/https://campustechnology.com/articles/2017/03/01/edx-expands-micromasters-programs-with-data-science-digital-leadership-and-more.aspx|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2017/04/26/edx-launches-professional-certificate-programs|title=EdX Launches Professional Certificate Programs {{!}} Inside Higher Ed|access-date=2018-05-15|language=en|archive-date=2018-05-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515184910/https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2017/04/26/edx-launches-professional-certificate-programs|url-status=live}}

In January 2018, edX partnered with Microsoft and General Electric to provide subsidized online courses and guaranteed job interviews.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2018/1/24/edX-microsoft-GE-partnership/|title=EdX Partners with Microsoft, GE to Provide Subsidized Courses {{!}} News {{!}} The Harvard Crimson|website=www.thecrimson.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-15|archive-date=2018-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128212754/http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2018/1/24/edX-microsoft-GE-partnership/|url-status=live}} That same month, Tech Mahindra partnered with edX to re-skill workforce on new tech areas.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/techm-partners-edx-to-re-skill-workforce-on-new-tech-areas/articleshow/62430210.cms|title=TechM partners edX to re-skill workforce on new tech areas - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-15|archive-date=2018-05-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515195941/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/techm-partners-edx-to-re-skill-workforce-on-new-tech-areas/articleshow/62430210.cms|url-status=live}} Later that year, edX introduced nine Master's degrees on the platform. The degree programs can be completed fully online and are offered by universities such as Georgia Institute of Technology and University of California San Diego.{{Cite news|url=https://campustechnology.com/articles/2018/10/10/edx-launching-8-new-masters-degree-programs.aspx|title=EdX Launching 9 New Master's Degree Programs|work=Campus Technology|access-date=2019-06-13|archive-date=2019-12-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226052220/https://campustechnology.com/articles/2018/10/10/edx-launching-8-new-masters-degree-programs.aspx|url-status=live}}

On January 10, 2020, edX launched two MicroBachelors programs. The programs offer undergraduate level courses which can lead to university credit for degree seeking students.{{Cite web|url=https://www.edsurge.com/news/2020-01-08-with-microbachelors-program-edx-tries-again-to-sell-moocs-for-undergraduate-credit|title=With 'MicroBachelors' Program, EdX Tries Again to Sell MOOCs For Undergraduate Credit - EdSurge News|date=2020-01-08|website=EdSurge|language=en|access-date=2020-01-09|archive-date=2020-01-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109003249/https://www.edsurge.com/news/2020-01-08-with-microbachelors-program-edx-tries-again-to-sell-moocs-for-undergraduate-credit|url-status=live}}

On June 29, 2021, edX and 2U announced they had entered into a definitive agreement to merge. 2U would acquire edX's assets for $800M in cash.{{Cite web|last=Press|first=edX|title=2U, Inc. and edX to Join Together in Industry-Redefining Combination|url=https://press.edx.org/2u-inc.-and-edx-to-join-together-in-industry-redefining-combination|access-date=2021-07-09|website=press.edx.org|language=en|archive-date=2021-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185340/https://press.edx.org/2u-inc.-and-edx-to-join-together-in-industry-redefining-combination|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Online learning giants 2U and edX will merge|url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2021/06/30/online-learning-giants-2u-and-edx-will-merge|access-date=2021-08-25|website=www.insidehighered.com|language=en}} On November 16, 2021, 2U completed its acquisition of the edX business and website from the nonprofit organization.{{cite web |title=Important changes at edX |url=https://support.edx.org/hc/en-us/articles/4411774304919-Important-changes-at-edX |website=edX |access-date=6 February 2022}}

According to Anant Agarwal, when 2U acquired edX, it “made a legally binding commitment to preserve and advance edX’s founding mission..." Jefferson D. Pooley, a Muhlenberg University professor and Harvard graduate said “The whole sale itself was a betrayal and a fundamentally misguided choice by Harvard and MIT to betray, in my view, the trust that faculty and students put into it when they signed onto the platform.” {{cite web |last1=Chang |first1=Cara J. |last2=Cho |first2=Isabella B. |title=An EdTech Company Bought edX from Harvard and MIT for $800 Million. Its Stock Price Has Plummeted Since. |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2022/10/27/2u-financial-struggles/ |website=www.thecrimson.com |publisher=Harvard Crimson |access-date=2 October 2023}}

In November 2023, 2U found itself in financial peril.{{cite web |last1=Quintana |first1=Chris |title=Education company 2U and leader Chip Paucek part ways after high profile USC partnership ends |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2023/11/17/2-u-ceo-chip-paucek-usc/71619849007/ |website=www.usatoday.com |publisher=USA Today |access-date=4 December 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Hill |first1=Phil |title=2U / edX Facing Additional Existential Changes |url=https://onedtech.philhillaa.com/p/2u-facing-additional-existential-changes |website=onedtech.philhillaa.com |publisher=On Ed Tech |access-date=4 December 2023}} On July 25, 2024, 2U filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company plans to continue operating as a private company which will eliminate over $450 million of its debt.{{Cite web|url= https://www.wsj.com/business/2u-ed-tech-company-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy-24ca1017|title= 2U, Once a Giant in Online Education, Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy|last=Korn|first=Melissa|date=July 25, 2024|access-date=July 25, 2024|website=The Wall Street Journal|language=en}}

edX courses consist of weekly learning sequences. Each learning sequence is composed of short videos interspersed with interactive learning exercises, where students can immediately practice the concepts from the videos. The courses often include tutorial videos that are similar to small on-campus discussion groups, an online textbook, and an online discussion forum where students can post and review questions and comments to each other and teaching assistants. Where applicable, online laboratories are incorporated into the course. For example, in edX's first MOOC—a circuits and electronics course—students built virtual circuits in an online lab.[https://www.rpajournal.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SF2.pdf Studying Learning in the Worldwide Classroom: Research Into edX's First MOOC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529082820/http://www.rpajournal.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SF2.pdf |date=2020-05-29 }}, June 14, 2013, RPA Journal, by Lori Breslow, David E. Pritchard, Jennifer DeBoer, Glenda S. Stump, Andrew D. Ho, and Daniel T. Seaton.

edX offers certificates of successful completion and some courses are credit-eligible. Whether or not a college or university offers credit for an online course is within the sole discretion of the school. edX offers a variety of ways to take courses, including verified courses where students have the option to audit the course (no cost) or to work toward an edX Verified Certificate (fees vary by course). edX also offers XSeries Certificates for completion of a bundled set of two to seven verified courses in a single subject (cost varies depending on the courses).{{cite web|url=https://www.edx.org/verified-certificate|title=Verified Certificate|work=edX|access-date=2014-08-04|archive-date=2014-08-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807194836/https://www.edx.org/verified-certificate|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.edx.org/xseries|title=XSeries|work=edX|access-date=2015-05-04|archive-date=2015-04-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421114352/https://www.edx.org/xseries|url-status=live}}

As of 2016, more than 150 schools, nonprofit organizations, and corporations offered or plans to offer courses on edX.{{cite web|url=https://www.edx.org/schools-partners|title=Schools and Partners|work=edX|access-date=2014-08-04|archive-date=2016-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114225914/https://www.edx.org/schools-partners|url-status=live}} As of July 2020, there were 3,000 courses available for its 33 million registered students.{{Cite web|title=Media Kit|url=http://www.edx.org/media-kit|access-date=2020-08-03|website=edX|language=en|archive-date=2020-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801203722/https://www.edx.org/media-kit|url-status=live}}

In addition to educational offerings, edX is used for research into learning and distance education by collecting learners' clicks and analyzing the data, as well as collecting demographics from each registrant.{{cite web|title=edX FAQs|url=https://www.edx.org/faq|publisher=edX|access-date=August 26, 2012|archive-date=April 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426175936/https://www.edx.org/faq|url-status=live}}Laura Pappano (Nov. 2, 2012), [https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/04/education/edlife/massive-open-online-courses-are-multiplying-at-a-rapid-pace.html "The Year of the MOOC,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527151348/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/04/education/edlife/massive-open-online-courses-are-multiplying-at-a-rapid-pace.html |date=2020-05-27 }} The New York Times, also [https://archive.nytimes.com/query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage-9906E0D91F3EF937A35752C1A9649D8B63.html in New York Times archive] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923192841/https://archive.nytimes.com/query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage-9906E0D91F3EF937A35752C1A9649D8B63.html |date=2020-09-23 }}.{{cite news|title=Harvard and MIT Put $60-Million Into New Platform for Free Online Courses|url=http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/harvard-and-mit-put-60-million-into-new-platform-for-free-online-courses/36284|access-date=May 3, 2012|newspaper=The Chronicle of Higher Education|date=May 2, 2012|author=Nick DeSantis|archive-date=May 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504235245/http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/harvard-and-mit-put-60-million-into-new-platform-for-free-online-courses/36284|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Harvard and M.I.T. Team Up to Offer Free Online Courses|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/03/education/harvard-and-mit-team-up-to-offer-free-online-courses.html|access-date=May 3, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 2, 2012|author=Tamar Lewin|archive-date=May 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503015325/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/03/education/harvard-and-mit-team-up-to-offer-free-online-courses.html|url-status=live}} A team of researchers at Harvard and MIT, led by David Pritchard and Lori Breslow, released their initial findings in 2013. EdX member schools and organizations also conduct their own research using data collected from their courses.{{cite web|url=http://www.edx.org|title=edX|access-date=2013-11-20|archive-date=2013-03-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328145138/http://www.edx.org/|url-status=live}} Research focuses on improving retention, course completion and learning outcomes in traditional campus courses and online.Faculty of Arts and Sciences/Harvard College Fun (Sept/Oct 2013), "On the Leading Edge of Teaching."

edX has engaged in a number of partnerships with educational institutions in the United States, China, Mongolia, Japan, and more to use edX courses in "blended classrooms". In blended learning models, traditional classes include an online interactive component. San Jose State University (SJSU) partnered with edX to offer 6.00xL Introduction to Computer Science and Programming, as a blended course at SJSU and released an initial report on the project in February 2013. Initial results showed a decrease in failure rates from previous semesters. The percentage of students required to retake the course dropped from 41% under the traditional format to 9% for those taking the edX blended course.Ellen Junn and Cathy Cheal of San Jose State University report on the universities' efforts to incorporate MIT's Electronics and Circuits course 6.002x Little Hoover Commission Public Hearing Testimony In Spring 2013, Bunker Hill Community College and Massachusetts Bay Community College implemented a SPOC, or small private online course. The colleges incorporated an MIT-developed Python programming course on edX into their campus-based courses, and reported positive results.{{cite web|url=http://onlinelearningconsortium.org/conference/2013/blended/moocs-community-college-implications-innovation-classroom|title=MOOCs in the Community College: Implications for Innovation in the Classroom - Online Learning Consortium, Inc|work=onlinelearningconsortium.org|access-date=2014-07-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810014859/http://onlinelearningconsortium.org/conference/2013/blended/moocs-community-college-implications-innovation-classroom|archive-date=2014-08-10|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/09/spocs_small_private_online_classes_may_be_better_than_moocs.html|title=SPOCs: Small private online classes may be better than MOOCs.|work=Slate Magazine|date=18 September 2013|access-date=2014-07-19|archive-date=2014-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716194344/http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/09/spocs_small_private_online_classes_may_be_better_than_moocs.html|url-status=live}}

{{main|Open edX}}

Open edX platform is the open-source platform software developed by edX and made freely available to other institutions of higher learning that want to make similar offerings. On June 1, 2013, edX open sourced its entire platform.{{cite web|url=http://news.stanford.edu/news/2013/april/edx-collaborate-platform-030313.html|title=Stanford to collaborate with edX to develop a free, open source online learning platform|work=Stanford University|date=3 April 2013|access-date=2014-06-25|archive-date=2014-07-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718144942/http://news.stanford.edu/news/2013/april/edx-collaborate-platform-030313.html|url-status=live}} The source code can be found on GitHub.{{Cite web |url=https://github.com/edx/ |title=EdX |website=GitHub |access-date=2017-02-09 |archive-date=2016-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105004730/https://github.com/edx/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://github.com/edx/edx-platform|title=EdX-platform|work=GitHub|access-date=2017-02-09|archive-date=2017-04-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429183715/https://github.com/edx/edx-platform|url-status=live}} The platform was originally developed by Piotr Mitros in 2011, with maintenance transferred to edX in 2012.

File:EdX - Entrance Logo.jpg

In late 2013, several countries and private entities announced their adoption of the edX open source platform to launch new initiatives. Ten Chinese universities joined to form an online education initiative in China, called XuetangX.{{cite web |url=https://www.edx.org/alert/edx-open-source-platform-chosen/1188 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131120185137/https://www.edx.org/alert/edx-open-source-platform-chosen/1188 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 20, 2013 |title=Open Source Platform Chosen to Power China's New Online Education Portal |publisher=edX |date=2013-10-10 |access-date=2014-01-01 }} 120 higher education institutions in France joined under the direction of the French Ministry of Education to offer online courses throughout France,{{cite web |url=https://www.edx.org/alert/edx-work-french-ministry-higher/1179 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131120185238/https://www.edx.org/alert/edx-work-french-ministry-higher/1179 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 20, 2013 |title=to Work with French Ministry of Higher Education to Create National Online Learning Portal |publisher=edX |date=2013-10-03 |access-date=2014-01-01 }} the Queen Rania Foundation for Education and Development{{Cite web |title=Home {{!}} QRF |url=http://www.qrf.org/en |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=www.qrf.org}} (QRF) created Edraak as the first MOOC portal for the Arab world,{{cite web |url=https://www.edx.org/alert/queen-rania-foundation-partners/1287 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131120185139/https://www.edx.org/alert/queen-rania-foundation-partners/1287 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 20, 2013 |title=Queen Rania Foundation Partners with edX to Create First MOOC Portal for the Arab World |publisher=edX |date=2013-11-08 |access-date=2014-01-01 }} the International Monetary Fund is using the edX platform to pilot online training courses in economics and finance,{{cite web |url=https://www.edx.org/alert/imf-and-edx-join-forces-pilot/998 |title=IMF and edX Join Forces to Pilot Online Economics and Financial Courses |publisher=edX |date=2013-06-19 |access-date=2014-01-01 |archive-date=2013-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920204808/https://www.edx.org/alert/imf-and-edx-join-forces-pilot/998 |url-status=dead }} and Tenaris corporation is using the platform to expand its corporate training and education for its employees.{{cite web |author=4-traders |url=http://www.4-traders.com/TENARIS-SA-100167/news/Tenaris-SA--Tenaris-to-Adopt-edX-Platform-for-Corporate-Training-17456058/ |title=Tenaris S.A. : Tenaris to Adopt edX Platform for Corporate Training |publisher=4-Traders |date=2013-11-12 |access-date=2014-01-01 |archive-date=2013-12-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002052/http://www.4-traders.com/TENARIS-SA-100167/news/Tenaris-SA--Tenaris-to-Adopt-edX-Platform-for-Corporate-Training-17456058/ |url-status=live }}

As of March 2021, edX has more than 150 partners, including universities, for-profit organizations and NGOs.{{cite web|url=https://www.edx.org/schools-partners|title=Schools & Partners|year=2021|work=edX|access-date=2021-03-29|archive-date=2021-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323150027/https://www.edx.org/schools-partners|url-status=live}}

Fast Company named edX a "Most Innovative Company" for 2024.{{cite news |last1=Movan |first1=Pavithra |title=This education tech company beat its competitors to a ChatGPT plugin |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/91036655/edx-most-innovative-companies-2024 |access-date=6 May 2025 |work=Fast Company |date=19 March 2024}}

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