MIT Set to Launch Online Learning Initiatives
Even if you are up-to-date on this breaking news from MIT, I find it important to take a moment to reflect on how much of a game-changer this will be.
Seriously, take a minute to read the article...and just think.
Now that you've collected your thoughts, what do you think? I've read a lot of articles (and watched plenty of video) about education and the rising costs of higher education. With our economy in flux, as with anything, we need to weigh the cost-benefit, right? That's what our economics class taught us.
There has been a lot of discussion as to what the internet can do to disrupt this old-world tradition. Now, I'm not talking about for-profit "colleges" (such as University of Phoenix), I'm talking about our true state schools and academia that is established and has been around for a while (think MIT, Yale, University of Purdue, Stanford, Cal, etc.).
Many of us who are also beyond our formative college-years are also trying to continue our education. With the every changing horizon of technology, industry, and again, our economy, we need to be competitive to stay ahead. We're always looking for affordable but non-restrictive learning options (think Khan Academy). The advent of distance learning and current online courses from some of the same institutions have helped usher in this change. But some of the time restrictions still don't fully fit into our full-time job + family lifestyle. Especially if we are trying to complete course work for degrees and certificates.
The upcoming spring MITx learning initiative is exciting because it's still very similar to the current MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW), but will add current course plans, learning tools, (I'm assuming social/sharing tools), and offer a "mastery" certificate. Everything will be free, except the certificate. What more could you ask for?
In return, MIT is getting a chance to investigate and learn how this type of educational disruption penetrates our society.
I understand there is no current statement as to the cost of the certification, but I am willing to be a test subject for the opportunity to continue my education. And I'm pretty sure the certification won't cost me $50,000+ ...as do most semesters at any university.
Links (not repeating any from above text):
Inside Higher Ed - Obama invites college presidents to a meeting
CBS News - Higher education costs continue to rise
CNN Money - Surging college costs price out middle class
Wired - MIT Online Courses: What Does it Mean?
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