Facebook’s Latest Higher Ed Push Part of Broader Trend

News from EdSurge as Facebook is teaming up with community colleges as part of a nationwide effort to teach digital-literacy skills to small-business leaders and others in cities. Facebook’s education strategy focuses on economic enablement and job growth, as well as supporting small businesses with the skills “they need to grow.”

In addition to the in-person community college partnerships and the Community Boost program, Facebook has also put parts of its education initiatives online. For instance, “Learn with Facebook” consists of free online trainings that teach people digital marketing skills, such as branding and consumer behavior.

 

The move is part of a trend of Silicon Valley companies trying to shape curriculum around their products.

 

“It seems to be about developing the workforce and developing a customer base,” he says. “But in this moment where Facebook is in the midst of a campaign, globally, to restore their reputation, these kinds of investments and partnerships in the community are probably constructive in terms of positioning the company as one that’s a force for good rather than sort of an evil technology company.”

 
This news spawned a large Twitter discussion as we unpacked the complexity of this initiative.