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      How COVID-19 Is Normalizing an eLearning-Industrial-Complex in US Higher Education

      How COVID-19 Is Normalizing an eLearning-Industrial-Complex in US Higher Education

      We should think critically about whether the emergency response at a moment of crisis is being used to justify the questionable collaboration of neoliberal universities with a billion-dollar eLearning industry that prioritizes profit over learning.

      Nafisa Tanjeem
      Michael J. Illuzzi
      Aug 07, 2020

      In an Intercept piece earlier this year, Naomi Klein uses the term "coronavirus capitalism" to describe how the cataclysmic global Covid-19 pandemic is normalizing oppressive, capitalist practices that were previously unthinkable. She explains the way predatory ideas and practices of the government and powerful corporations continue to accumulate resources for the privileged, leaving the vulnerable exposed during the pandemic. At a time when U.S. universities operate more like big corporations, treat students as customers, and prioritize profit-making ventures, it is important to ask how the coronavirus capitalism is normalizing neoliberal ventures that many universities have been trying to implement for a long time.

      In response to the rapid spread of Covid-19, U.S. universities swiftly moved classes online earlier this year. Most of the universities will offer some forms of online and hybrid classes in Fall 2020. The transition to online learning was a much-needed response to ensure the safety and security of students, faculty, staff, and other university workers during a global pandemic. Nevertheless, we should think critically about whether the emergency response at a moment of crisis is being used to justify the questionable collaboration of neoliberal universities with a billion-dollar eLearning industry that prioritizes profit over learning.

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      Opinion
      'Same Ideas, Every Disaster': Right-Wing Heritage Foundation Urges Universal School Voucher Program for Coronavirus Recovery

      'Same Ideas, Every Disaster': Right-Wing Heritage Foundation Urges Universal School Voucher Program for Coronavirus Recovery

      The think tank also recommends immediately revising state requirements for teachers to allow people without teaching certifications to educate students.

      Julia Conley
      Apr 24, 2020

      Progressives and public education advocates on Thursday denounced a proposal from the conservative Heritage Foundation for the United States' recovery from the coronavirus pandemic that includes a recommendation for a universal school voucher program via what one critic called a "particularly brutal" implementation plan.

      The group's National Coronavirus Recovery Commission released a report (pdf) this week advising states to "immediately restructure" their education spending to keep taxpayer money from going to public schools.

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      Trump Accused of Exploiting Coronavirus Pandemic to Advance 'Truly Disgraceful' Union-Busting Effort

      Trump Accused of Exploiting Coronavirus Pandemic to Advance 'Truly Disgraceful' Union-Busting Effort

      "This action reveals in stark terms just how determined the administration is to roll back the rights and benefits of federal employees."

      Jake Johnson
      Mar 20, 2020

      President Donald Trump is not letting the global coronavirus pandemic stand in the way of his administration's assault on what's left of organized labor in the United States.

      In fact, as the New York Timesreported Friday, the Trump administration is actively using the outbreak as a pretext to ram through union-busting policies and other right-wing agenda items that would likely draw closer scrutiny and public outrage under normal circumstances.

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