The Knowledge Explorer

k(no)w(ledge): Making knowledge publicly explorable, one resource at a time.

[knowledge-explorer]

Learn about colors interactively! Then, listen to this and learn some more!)

[knowledge-explorer]

Not a resource, but echoes the fundamental question of "Why?" at the heart of this project.

[knowledge-explorer]

Where is it?

http://teachyourselftocode.com/

What is it?

The name explains it all -- top coding tutorials recommended by programmers.

What can I learn?

Rails, iOs, Backbone, Node.js, Python, Javascript, Ruby, HTML/CSS

Format

Lists with entries linking to outside resources, ratings by programmers, and price (mostly free).

Anything else?

Read more here.

[knowledge-explorer]

Where is it?

http://youarehere.cc

What is it?

"You Are Here is a study of place.

Every day for the next year, we will make a map of a city in which we have lived.

Each of these maps will be an aggregation of thousands of microstories, tracing the narratives of our collective experience. We will make maps of the little things that make up life — from the trees we hug, to the places where we crashed our bikes, to the benches where we fell in love.

Over time, we will grow this to 100 different maps of 100 different cities, creating an atlas of human experience.

We hope that by showing these stories, we empower people to make their city — and therefore the world — a more beautiful place.

You Are Here is a project of the Social Computing Group at the MIT Media Lab."

What can I learn?

Check out the variety of mapped topics here: http://youarehere.cc/#/maps/by-topic

Format

Really, really cool maps, presenting all kinds of information (beyond the cartographic) on stunning visualizations. For example, what's the quickest form of transportation in D.C.? Where is there graffiti in San Francisco? Trust me, you have to play with it to believe it.

[knowledge-explorer]

Where is it? www.noexcuselist.com

What is it?

"The internet has changed the way we access information, communicate and learn. There are thousands of websites that can teach you everything you'd want to learn about for free. Unfortunately, it’s difficult and time consuming to find the best websites to use. In 2011, I decided to create a resource that connects students of all ages to free lessons from a curated list of web tutorials and courses. I have taken the time to research and try out almost every website on this list so that you don’t have to. There's no longer an excuse for not being able to learn something. Just click on a link and get started!"

What can I learn?

This is a list of e-learning links across a variety of topics.

Format?

Lists to click!

[knowledge-explorer]

Where is it?

http://www.openculture.com/

What is it?

"Open Culture editor Dan Colman scours the web for the best educational media. He finds the free courses and audio books you need, the language lessons & movies you want, and plenty of enlightenment in between."

What can I learn?     1,000 Free Online Courses     1000+ MOOCs     675 Free Movies     550 Free Audio Books     600 Free eBooks     170 Free Textbooks     300 Free Language Lessons     100 Free Business Courses     Free K-12 Education     Get Our Daily Email

[knowledge-explorer]

Of course, our inaugural feature is the incomparable treasure trove of curiosity and wisdom that is Brain Pickings. 

Where is it?

http://www.brainpickings.org/

What is it?

"Brain Pickings is a human-powered discovery engine for interestingness, a subjective lens on what matters in the world and why, bringing you things you didn’t know you were interested in — until you are."

"a cross-disciplinary LEGO treasure chest, full of pieces spanning art, design, science, technology, philosophy, history, politics, psychology, sociology, ecology, anthropology, and more; pieces that enrich your mental pool of resources and empower combinatorial ideas that are stronger, smarter, richer, deeper and more impactful."

What can I learn?

art, design, science, technology, philosophy, history, politics, psychology, sociology, ecology, anthropology, and more

Format?

Digestible, illustrated, very shareable and link-friendly written pieces.

Anything else?

You can subscribe to a free weekly digest and newsletter on the website.

[knowledge-explorer]

What are we doing here?

Tons of knowledge live in the internet-sphere.

This site is grown out of an attempt to bridge the gap between knowledge production and public access to it. Research centers, institutions, media thinkers and experimenters are increasingly becoming digitally active, but how good have they been at getting their information to the public? When they do, is it understandable, accessible, exciting?

Information is only as good as its usability.

As a lifelong learner who's voraciously curious about, well, nearly everything, I wanted to showcase open resources of knowledge sharing and public education that are out on the web. Hopefully, this growing collection will encourage you to learn something new today. 

Knowledge is exciting. It should be shared. If you have a favorite open learning resource that hasn't been featured here yet, by all means, please get in touch. I can't wait to keep learning from you and your ideas.