It was quite a year for education. Along with our daily breakdowns of the space's top news, in 2014, Education Dive took closer looks at topics ranging from competency-based education to how the world's 10 richest billionaires are exercising influence in education. Additionally, we continued rounding up some of the best resources, from ed-themed TED Talks to must-follow thought leaders on Twitter. 

With 2015 just over a week away, take a look back at the year's 10 most-read Education Dive stories — and be sure to keep an eye out for the great content we have in store for the new year!

• 6 must-see education TED Talks​: The conference has played host to some of the brightest education ideas from experts in numerous fields.
• 7 competency-based higher ed programs to keep an eye on: The U.S. Department of Education is still sorting out how it will evaluate competency-based programs, but these seven bear watching.
• What trends are shaping ed tech in 2014?​: What should you expect this year from MOOCs, LMSes, and more?
• 9 ed tech startups investors love: These startups appear in multiple investment portfolios, but are they all here to stay?
• How the world's 10 richest billionaires are shaping education: Through their funding and influence, these 10 people have (sometimes controversially) made an impact in the education space.
• 4 higher ed tech startups Mark Cuban is betting on: The Shark Tank investor and Dallas Mavericks owner is reportedly getting serious about higher ed.
• 12 education thought leaders you should follow on Twitter​: You never know what you might learn in 140 characters or less.
• 10 Chromebook uses: How Google-powered laptops are enhancing classrooms: Chromebooks have taken the No. 1 spot among tablets and laptops in the K-12 sector, so what exactly can your district do with these popular computers once they're in your classrooms? 
• 10 lessons learned from MOOCs: From what works best to clues about the model's future viability, what have massive open online courses taught us?
• Time interactive list ranks colleges according to presidential criteria: Time magazine has created a ranking of colleges based on three criteria mentioned by the Obama Administration.

Would you like to see more education news like this in your inbox on a daily basis? Subscribe to our Education Dive email newsletter! You may also want to read Education Dive's look at 3 emerging technologies reimagining higher ed in 2015 and beyond​, or 4 ways a Republican Congress could impact K12 policy.