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Programs
August 8, 2022

Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative

Local governments can invest in this strategy using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

  • This strategy can help address educational disparities. The U.S. Department of Treasury has indicated that strategies that help achieve this outcome are eligible for the use of Fiscal Recovery Funds.
  • Investments in this strategy are SLFRF-eligible as long as they are made in qualified census tracts or are designed to assist populations or communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Program overview

  • Combines an online learning platform and support environment with in-person classes
  • The goal is to provide comparable or better instruction while reducing costs and time spent
  • Provides full courses and learning materials to both learners and instructors at low or no cost while providing the instructor with a platform to track student achievement and progress
  • Increased academic achievement
  • Increased credit accumulation and persistence
  • Note: This content is under review
  • Partnerships between educational institutions and internet service providers can ensure that greater numbers of students have internet access and are thus able to take part in open learning curricula.
  • Technological specialists can help instructors transition material to online platforms, improving the learning experience for students.
  • Creating easy-to-use feedback systems enables instructors to adapt course materials to student preferences.
  • Investments in digital infrastructure improvements are often necessary in ensuring that open learning initiatives perform adequately.
Learn more:
Open Learning Initiative website US Department of Education evaluation of the Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative