Comments on: GlobalScholar Raises $27 Million B Round To Tackle Online Education http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/ Startup and Technology News Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:19:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Video Game Schools http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1996135 Video Game Schools Sun, 17 Feb 2008 15:02:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1996135 <strong>Video Game Schools...</strong> Want to start a career in the gaming industry... Video Game Schools…

Want to start a career in the gaming industry…

]]> By: eLearners http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1995593 eLearners Sun, 17 Feb 2008 04:12:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1995593 <strong>Online Education Credits...</strong> You may be entitled to collect Millions of Dollars from negligent companies... Online Education Credits…

You may be entitled to collect Millions of Dollars from negligent companies…

]]> By: Burck Smith http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1978010 Burck Smith Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:39:55 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1978010 I guess raising a lot of money is sufficient to make everyone think this is a great business model. However, a little research should inspire a bit of skepticism. First, this "market-for-tutoring" model has been tried repeatedly in the last decade. This was Tutor.com's original business model in Internet Boom 1.0 (late '90's early '00's). It squandered millions in the process before deciding to sell service to public libraries. Now they, and others, are turning back to the consumer market. Second, many companies have tried selling tutoring services directly to consumers in the last decade (including ourselves). It has never worked. Today's argument is that the growth of high speed access, search-engine marketing, and consumer behavior is sufficient to catalyze the market. While this may be true, I think there is a mismatch between what online tutoring does really well and what consumers are willing to buy directly. Longer post on my (very dated) blog. http://burck.blogspot.com/2007/03/direct-to-consumer-conundrum.html I guess raising a lot of money is sufficient to make everyone think this is a great business model. However, a little research should inspire a bit of skepticism. First, this “market-for-tutoring” model has been tried repeatedly in the last decade. This was Tutor.com’s original business model in Internet Boom 1.0 (late ’90’s early ’00’s). It squandered millions in the process before deciding to sell service to public libraries. Now they, and others, are turning back to the consumer market. Second, many companies have tried selling tutoring services directly to consumers in the last decade (including ourselves). It has never worked. Today’s argument is that the growth of high speed access, search-engine marketing, and consumer behavior is sufficient to catalyze the market. While this may be true, I think there is a mismatch between what online tutoring does really well and what consumers are willing to buy directly. Longer post on my (very dated) blog.

http://burck.blogspot.com/2007.....ndrum.html

]]> By: to disha http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1974899 to disha Tue, 05 Feb 2008 06:35:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1974899 the sites you mention are not interactive tutoring. rather it is content that can be accessed. if content were the answer, you ca shut down schools and just give students the text book! the sites you mention are not interactive tutoring. rather it is content that can be accessed. if content were the answer, you ca shut down schools and just give students the text book!

]]> By: So Many Spammers on TechCrunch http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1973735 So Many Spammers on TechCrunch Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:12:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1973735 Disha - education is like healthcare. Price is often a proxy for quality. There will always be free resources but getting an education is quite important and hence the demand for all of these servies. Disha - education is like healthcare. Price is often a proxy for quality. There will always be free resources but getting an education is quite important and hence the demand for all of these servies.

]]> By: disha http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1969436 disha Mon, 04 Feb 2008 09:12:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1969436 Online Education is of a prime concern these days. GlobalScholar is a Seattle based company and offers online SAT preparation. But we have lots of Indian websites that helps you prepare for <a href="http://www.watblog.com/2008/01/24/entrance-tests-and-iit-lectures-goes-online/" rel="nofollow">entrance tests like IIT-JEE, AIEE Karnataka, CET and COMEDK and IIT lectures on youtube</a> that too free...then why would anyone prefer globalscholar.com as they have to pay 1$ for one hour. Online Education is of a prime concern these days. GlobalScholar is a Seattle based company and offers online SAT preparation. But we have lots of Indian websites that helps you prepare for entrance tests like IIT-JEE, AIEE Karnataka, CET and COMEDK and IIT lectures on youtube that too free…then why would anyone prefer globalscholar.com as they have to pay 1$ for one hour.

]]> By: Jeff O'Hara http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1960915 Jeff O'Hara Sat, 02 Feb 2008 07:32:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1960915 Robert, I agree education is definately behind the private sector in terms of innovation. A lot of companies currently in education provide really crappy service and that's why we are trying to build something great at http://edmodo.com (shameless plug). Robert, I agree education is definately behind the private sector in terms of innovation. A lot of companies currently in education provide really crappy service and that’s why we are trying to build something great at http://edmodo.com (shameless plug).

]]> By: Robert Einspruch http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1956109 Robert Einspruch Fri, 01 Feb 2008 02:06:41 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1956109 Kudos to Globalscholar. The education industry is way behind the private sector in terms of innovation and way way behind in terms the way students use the internet (e.g., social networking). We, too, are hard at work to change this. May the best company win! Kudos to Globalscholar. The education industry is way behind the private sector in terms of innovation and way way behind in terms the way students use the internet (e.g., social networking). We, too, are hard at work to change this. May the best company win!

]]> By: TheTempest http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1955993 TheTempest Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:57:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1955993 I have some constructive criticism for Globalscholar; not mere spam like others here. : Your home page is a mess. Really, it is a mess. It has too much "stuff" and is really hard to read and well, hard to comprehend. : Whiteboard looks like it covers all the bases. Although it looks like my kid brother designed the UI and hammered it home. : Great list of subject and grade offers. It looks like you have it all covered and is easy to find that information. : Your entire site is not W3C compliant or even close. Hire a new web guy. I have some constructive criticism for Globalscholar; not mere spam like others here.

: Your home page is a mess. Really, it is a mess. It has too much “stuff” and is really hard to read and well, hard to comprehend.

: Whiteboard looks like it covers all the bases. Although it looks like my kid brother designed the UI and hammered it home.

: Great list of subject and grade offers. It looks like you have it all covered and is easy to find that information.

: Your entire site is not W3C compliant or even close. Hire a new web guy.

]]> By: shmuly http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1955948 shmuly Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:27:23 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1955948 (ok; this comment is going to sound a bit off, but then again, who am I fooling?) Thirteenth!! (ok; this comment is going to sound a bit off, but then again, who am I fooling?)

Thirteenth!!

]]> By: TheTempest http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1955931 TheTempest Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:22:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1955931 Harbir, sounds like boohoo jealousy to me. Don't worry man, I'm sure your company will be able to land some huge b2b deals like the Globalscholar guys. Or um, maybe not. Harbir, sounds like boohoo jealousy to me. Don’t worry man, I’m sure your company will be able to land some huge b2b deals like the Globalscholar guys. Or um, maybe not.

]]> By: So Many Spammers on TechCrunch http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1955925 So Many Spammers on TechCrunch Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:18:55 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1955925 #3 - SPAM #4 - Even more blatant spam. Shilling now too huh? #6 - Spammer for lame site (#4) that can't even put an entire sentence together #8 - More spam. No one reads your blog dude. #3 - SPAM
#4 - Even more blatant spam. Shilling now too huh?
#6 - Spammer for lame site (#4) that can’t even put an entire sentence together
#8 - More spam. No one reads your blog dude.

]]> By: Bhasker V Kode http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1955396 Bhasker V Kode Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:23:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1955396 @TC , Erick Schonfeld just noticed the typo/error in the url for the tutorvista site. @TC , Erick Schonfeld
just noticed the typo/error in the url for the tutorvista site.

]]> By: Jon @ eduFire http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1955375 Jon @ eduFire Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:14:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1955375 It's going to be an interesting space to watch in the next year. GlobalScholar is taking one approach. Tutor.com and Tutorvista another. Grockit coming from a different angle. And at eduFire we're coming at from another angle. Bottom line is that education is a $2 trillion (with a t) market globally and it has seen almost no significant innovation in years. That reeks of opportunity for healthy disruption. Kudos to the GS guys for pulling in big bucks. Will be fun to watch them spend 'em! It’s going to be an interesting space to watch in the next year. GlobalScholar is taking one approach. Tutor.com and Tutorvista another. Grockit coming from a different angle. And at eduFire we’re coming at from another angle. Bottom line is that education is a $2 trillion (with a t) market globally and it has seen almost no significant innovation in years. That reeks of opportunity for healthy disruption.

Kudos to the GS guys for pulling in big bucks. Will be fun to watch them spend ‘em!

]]> By: Harbir http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1954697 Harbir Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:47:30 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1954697 Well good to know about the money they have raised but I am not sure what is new about the concept. We have been doing this on WiZiQ dot com for about a year now and have some decent following among the educators. Here are some of the posts by education technologists about WiZiQ. http://www.thethinkingstick.com/?p=574 http://tinyurl.com/23lbgo I am sure if you WiZiQ you will find a much better virtual classroom experience. Well good to know about the money they have raised but I am not sure what is new about the concept. We have been doing this on WiZiQ dot com for about a year now and have some decent following among the educators. Here are some of the posts by education technologists about WiZiQ.

http://www.thethinkingstick.com/?p=574
http://tinyurl.com/23lbgo

I am sure if you WiZiQ you will find a much better virtual classroom experience.

]]> By: Ray Burt http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1954654 Ray Burt Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:34:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1954654 Yoiu missed one of their key board members: Michael Milken (yes...that Michael Milken). He's now focused in this space and others: http://www.mikemilken.com/ Yoiu missed one of their key board members: Michael Milken (yes…that Michael Milken). He’s now focused in this space and others: http://www.mikemilken.com/

]]> By: rubu http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1954573 rubu Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:11:37 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1954573 They offer a comprehensive online, video-based, SAT course that is also designed to simulate They offer a comprehensive online, video-based, SAT course that is also designed to simulate

]]> By: AB http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1954470 AB Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:36:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1954470 Interesting article about these companies in the NYT yesterday: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/31/fashion/31CYBER.html Interesting article about these companies in the NYT yesterday: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01.....CYBER.html

]]> By: Dani http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1954153 Dani Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:19:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1954153 Interesting. There is another young company founded by a bunch of Princeton University graduates named ePrep.com. They offer a comprehensive online, video-based, SAT course that is also designed to simulate high-priced private tutoring. My kids have tried it and really liked it. Interesting. There is another young company founded by a bunch of Princeton University graduates named ePrep.com. They offer a comprehensive online, video-based, SAT course that is also designed to simulate high-priced private tutoring. My kids have tried it and really liked it.

]]> By: iamzim http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1954092 iamzim Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:51:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1954092 Talking about tutoring, you might take a look at buddyschool.com - similar idea, but totally open Talking about tutoring, you might take a look at buddyschool.com - similar idea, but totally open

]]> By: Michael Vu http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1953469 Michael Vu Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:31:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1953469 Great idea. Tutoring is big globally. Great idea. Tutoring is big globally.

]]> By: shmuly http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/30/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1953343 shmuly Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:50:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/31/globalscholar-raises-27-million-b-round-to-tackle-online-education/#comment-1953343 (this is going to sound cheesy...but, hey, I have been working for 15 consecutive hours...) FIRST! (this is going to sound cheesy…but, hey, I have been working for 15 consecutive hours…)

FIRST!

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