Distance Learning Support 2Tor Raises $10M

Written by Dana Oshiro / June 22, 2009 6:00 AM / 4 Comments

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A decade ago distance learning was experimental at best. Only a few courses were offered online, instructors were often slow to respond, and at the end of it, there was always the chance that employers would scoff at your credentials. With faster internet connections and accredited institutions embracing online education, a lot has changed since then. Distance learning service provider 2tor hopes to shift the paradigm even further. Judging by the $10 million dollar Series A round they've just closed with RedPoint Ventures, Novak Biddle and City Light Capital, they're poised to build something substantial.

2tor aims to provide universities with tools, recruiting and resources to offer quality online education to top-tier universities. The company is an outsourced operations, HR, admissions and student support team for distance learning environments. Some unique services include online applications support, web-based curriculum development, student counseling, candidate placement and of course, the technical support to provide a web classroom. Essentially, the company is offering universities a chance to concentrate on teaching, rather than the operational and administrative tasks that accompany synchronous technology. And if you've ever done a distance learning course, you'll understand that many institutions of higher learning just aren't great at lesson delivery outside of their hallowed halls.

2tor's first partnership is educating educators with the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education Masters of Arts in Teaching program. The company will provide an interactive learning experience with USC's curriculum in an accelerated 12-month program.

Students gain access to forums and a virtual classroom complete with audio, video and blog content. Additional features include video chat with peers and professors, unlimited access to lecture materials and office hours via video and whiteboard. Student's record field work experiences as video files and are critiqued on these efforts as well as online surveys. The program will also offer teachers a Certification Map resource to help them better prepare for state-specific teaching certifications. In the future, 2Tor plans to use its additional funding to continue to build partnerships and create additional programs.

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Comments

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The fall in the online edu arena was due to the basic mistake that they did to compete with the in class room approach. I believe rather than concentrating on their competition with the on campus guys Distance education should work out on their own strenghts. There are couple of things that Online courses have an upper hand at. Its a totally new market in itself. With 2tor getting the funds required and taking a path of enabling other universities it will make a good case for others to follow suit.

Posted by: Chanda | BizDharma.com | June 22, 2009 7:32 AM

How does 2Tor differentiate itself from various other 'management systems' - be it content/learning/achievement/placement management? 2Tor focuses on distance learning services, but other than that - is there really something that makes it truly unique?

Posted by: Paula | June 22, 2009 9:02 AM

Since last decade, huge change has been noticed in distance learning education. Now it has become very easy to get education through distance learning. There are several distance learning courses and degrees that are provided by the universities. What you have to do is - just search the best distance learning school among the all. Hope it helps you out in searching the best school. Check this - distancelearningu.com .

Posted by: Distance Learning | June 23, 2009 4:26 AM

The fail of distance learning education begins with the name. This name says the focus of the solution, resolve the distance problem (only). But in the internet is a complete other ball game.

What is needed is a solution for internet based education, not a distance learning education. Like Chanda says "campus guys Distance education should work out on their own strenghts", forget a little the class room approach and let´s developer way of education maximizating the internet strenghts to complement the class room work.

Posted by: Pedro Souki | June 24, 2009 8:03 AM