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Increasing Popularity of MIT OpenCourseWare

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Re: Increasing Popularity of MIT OpenCourseWare

#21

Post by rapind »

sudont wrote: post #16
Umalu wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Presumably at places like MIT the credential value of a degree is still worth a lot, particularly for those looking for careers in credential-reliant sectors such as academia, but one wonders for how long second- and third-tier institutions with low or no credential value can continue when excellent and free programs like this are so widely available.

I asked this of a friend who went to SVA in New York for graphic design. He said that the real benefit of an excellent, yet expensive, college, is in learning from real people and having the course tailored to the current situation. He said the students, while talented, weren't any different from those at another college. Sure, you can learn how to design by yourself, and many of the greats have, but it's much more e…

I think an apprenticeship combined with online material would be more valuable and definitely more practical from a financial standpoint.

Re: Increasing Popularity of MIT OpenCourseWare

#22

Post by DevX101 »

inovica wrote: post #17
DevX101 wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sorry for the teaser! The site will be a one stop shop for online learning from high school to college, to working professionals. I've set up a live video platform to connect experts in specific subject areas to interested students with an integrated payment system for teachers that want to charge for their time. We also plan to roll out a few exciting features for college students. We'd like to connect students stud…

Wow, that sounds great. I'd be very interested in this. Do you think you may have plans for taking the age range down also? I have two kids - 8 years old and 3 years old and a great resource for all the basis, as well as some more advanced topics would be really useful

I eventually want to focus on younger kids. But I want to be super careful screening any teachers that would be allowed to teach young children over live video, so this may take a while for me to find the right instructors.

Shoot me an email, and I'll let you know when I have something appropriate for your children. You can also check out the site in the meantime.

Re: Increasing Popularity of MIT OpenCourseWare

#23

Post by bakbak »

DevX101 wrote: post #14
bakbak wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

can u tell us what exactly you're trying to do ... thx

Sorry for the teaser! The site will be a one stop shop for online learning from high school to college, to working professionals. I've set up a live video platform to connect experts in specific subject areas to interested students with an integrated payment system for teachers that want to charge for their time. We also plan to roll out a few exciting features for college students. We'd like to connect students stud…

i liked your idea ... in fact i was thinking for someone to start an online collge/university who can also offer diplomas and degrees based on open courseware ... by the way connecting student is being done by OpenStudy (http://openstudy.com/) so you may study the pros and cons and implement a better platform or may be tie-up with them ... I wish you all the best.

Re: Increasing Popularity of MIT OpenCourseWare

#24

Post by bakbak »

jkaufman wrote: post #8

Between programs like OCW and Khan Academy, how long can education costs continue to increase at their current rates? I can't imagine students in the future accepting paying $50k? $60k? more? per year when the opportunity exists for inexpensive and high quality programs online. Maybe a lower cost hybrid program would work (to allow for better peer and faculty interaction) or at least the acceptance of an online degre…

I completely agree with you .. several times i've been in debate with my friends (and they just dont get it) that cost of education is going to go lower and lower (and not higher as it is surveyed & assumed) - the only thing that would matter is quality of teachers/teaching environment ...

i think it's great startup idea to create an online college based on open courseware and conduct virtual classes and group sessions to help students - also eventually offer degrees ...

Re: Increasing Popularity of MIT OpenCourseWare

#25

Post by kmfrk »

DevX101 wrote: post #6

There was a minor controversy on campus when OpenCourseWare was being rolled out. Some students thought opening up the courses was unfair since they worked hard to get in and paid $30k+ per year to attend MIT. I'm glad these folks didn't win that debate ;) I'm currently working on a startup to push what MIT has done even further. If you're willing to provide some feedback, then drop me an email for a preview.

“There was a minor controversy on campus when OpenCourseWare was being rolled out. Some students thought opening up the courses was unfair since they worked hard to get in and paid $30k+ per year to attend MIT.”

I got angry just reading that. Apparently the admissions process at the university wasn't thorough enough.

Try living in a country where none of the universities are in the top-50 or top-100 rankings.

Re: Increasing Popularity of MIT OpenCourseWare

#27

Post by sliverstorm »

jkaufman wrote: post #8

Between programs like OCW and Khan Academy, how long can education costs continue to increase at their current rates? I can't imagine students in the future accepting paying $50k? $60k? more? per year when the opportunity exists for inexpensive and high quality programs online. Maybe a lower cost hybrid program would work (to allow for better peer and faculty interaction) or at least the acceptance of an online degre…

Depending on the degree, you can wind up getting access to things you don't get through OCW alone. As a biology student, I was able to get involved in research and help with tagging & tracking elephant seals, and when I switched to engineering I got access to thousands and thousands of dollars in equipment and software, among other things.

The resources of a full-on University are part of what make it worthwhile, at least for science-y degrees.

Re: Increasing Popularity of MIT OpenCourseWare

#29

Post by contol-m »

highfreq wrote: post #5
inovica wrote: post #3

I'd never heard of it, but I've just signed up for one via iTunes U. These look awesome. It will be interesting to see where the world of education goes in the next decade. Personally I'm looking for resources for younger children (5-15) for my own children

Kahn Academy, also available on I-Tunes U, has some great material for younger learners.

It's Khan.
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