Learning Online

           Learning on the Internet is nothing new. We have been witnessing college institutions offering online courses for a few years. What is new, however, is the availability of learning that is being made to the general public, and the notion that one does not necessarily have to go in debt for knowledge.  I watched a You Tube video that discusses different websites that allow users to listen to lectures and read important documents regarding different academic fields. Websites, such as, academicearth.org allows the viewer to watch a complete series of lectures by the same professor. This new wave of learning is fascinating, because it allows anyone who wants to better themselves and become educated the opportunity to learn what otherwise might be impossible.

Lewin’s NY Times article explores the difficulty some of the professors are facing once they have begun the new adventure of teaching online to anyone and everyone. Mr. Thrun was a professor at Stanford when he decided to teach an Artificial Intelligence course to students on campus and to students scattered all over the world. He discovered that online discussions and an eagerness to learn from the students enrolled in the online course gave him an addictive taste of how wide-ranging the possibilities could be in this type of format.

Mark Allan’s article discusses the latest trend that allows the everyday person to take a course from a respected institution from MIT or Harvard, but brings up a few points that deserve considerations.  He states that “Some courses don’t deviate from the traditional classroom-based model,” leaving some lectures to appear just as flat onscreen as they would be in person. He stresses that lecturers should not try to stick to the old plan of teaching but instead, should attempt to use the resources and uniqueness the online community provides.

            I like the idea that anyone has access to learning regardless of who they are because education can only strengthen society. It is important to note that not all the online classes are free, but even so, they are still cheaper than if one was to be enrolled at a university.  I personally prefer learning in class, but I think there are many who learn better at home.  I love the fact that there are choices being offered for different preferences and learning styles.