Noodle has built a network of top US universities, launching online and hybrid degree programs of quality and scale (over the past three years, more such programs than Coursera, 2U, Pearson, Wiley, and edX together). But while degrees continue to increase in value, so too does lifelong learning; the growth of the knowledge economy leaves no chance that the things one has learned by the time they leave college will get them through to retirement.
It is tough for schools of continuing or professional studies to invest in the technology or breadth of courses and certificate programs to compete with third-party platforms.
However, the current platforms dilute the learning environment to a passive experience with little support or engagement— which explains why only 3% of their students complete their courses. Further, these platforms take up to 65% of the tuition revenue and most of the data (unlike online marketplaces in almost every other category, which take from 10-35% of tuition).
Learning is inherently social. Noodle groups students into small cohorts and gives them tools to work with each other easily. Those tools integrate and supplement D2L (a fully functional LMS), Zoom, and other best-in-class technologies.
Few things are more frustrating than trying to find the right program in a sea of identical ones, or getting stuck in a key lesson that just doesn’t make sense. To help learners find the right programs and then get the most out of them, Noodle supports students with carefully vetted counselors and TAs.
Programs that are more social and better supported will have better completion rates and efficacy, and that makes the Noodle platform better for learners. And working closely with schools of continuing studies and with alumni offices, we return 65-85% of tuition to the universities and their faculties. It also makes the platform better for employers, and is a key part of our efforts to help universities help employers recruit, retain, and upskill their teams.
