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In reply to the discussion: Free on-line classes from MIT, Harvard, Berkeley and more [View all]Sancho
(9,067 posts)20. It's interesting that a similar "revolution" was proposed when tv/radio became popular...
In the 70's, I took courses via closed circuit TV. Later, everything from art to astronomy was offered by ETV. For years you could buy "programmed learning" books, language learning cassette tapes, and "Great Courses" on CD or DVD (link: http://www.thegreatcourses.com ).
On line courses (like google and the internet) are wonderful as sources of information, but they don't ensure learning, understanding, or integration with a programmed set of courses any more than previous ways of leaning.
Well designed internet courses will be entertaining and useful for self-motivated learners. There will also be examples of poorly developed information and you'll be wasting time.
We'll see what happens over the next few years.
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Can be very useful for personal edification, but not college credit in most cases.
aikoaiko
May 2013
#2
I actually prefer the concept of taking classes to learn rather than to earn a degree.
NYC_SKP
May 2013
#8
It's interesting that a similar "revolution" was proposed when tv/radio became popular...
Sancho
May 2013
#20
Open Courseware Consortium -to offer certification and college credit for online courses.......
Ghost in the Machine
May 2013
#40