Digital Learning News in 'Inside Higher Ed' This Week

The following news developments received coverage in Inside Higher Ed this week:

• A new analysis of federal data on nondegree credentials shows that men reap most of the benefits from these increasingly popular forms of credentials. New America undertook the study to get a better sense of gender gaps in the labor-market returns for certificates, industry certifications and occupational licenses. Men with nondegree credentials are more likely to be employed and earn substantially more than women who hold the same type of credential, the think tank found. Men also are much more likely to earn the credentials that pay best and to have their employer foot the bill for the training and education.
• Purdue University is restricting access to five popular streaming sites during class time in four of its biggest lecture halls, trying to free up much-needed bandwidth. Reaction has been muted to the ban on Netflix, Hulu, Steam, Apple Updates and iTunes.
• A new report from New America looks at Broward College's successful effort to embed industry certifications into a wide number of degree programs, an approach the think tank says could be a model for other colleges to emulate. Broward, a Florida community college that also offers four-year degrees, has been helped by a state program that reimburses the cost of certification exams for in-demand occupations. But the college stands out, New America found, with 1,349 eligible certifications earned by students last year.