MOOC---Look at the Big Brain on Brad

[wlu_lax6]

So I have decided that there are probably better ways to spend my time than reading physical books, watching movies, listening to Podcasts, and talking to my family :). So I have signed up for a few free online courses via Coursera and such. Kicked off my first course this morning. Actually I tried to start a fairly technical one a few years ago but could not make the time. I think the idea of programming for a class won't happen but the idea of movie lectures and reading on my commute increases the chances of completion.

Has anyone completed one of these before? If anyone is interested in joining I am going liberal arts to start.

Sports & Society (https://www.coursera.org/course/sports" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). Course is taught by Duke's Orin Starn (Cultural Anthropologist). Also includes Google Hangout with Doug Glanville. First lectures were good and the reading was interesting. They also have optional Sports movie of the week & sport of the Week. This week it was Brazilian Capoeira. Movie for next week is the Two Escobars.

In 2 weeks my 2nd and 3rd classes start. U of Rochester's Music of the Beatles and Yale's Financial Markets course.

These online courses remind me of Drew Carey's standup about degrees by mail.

[Pruitt]

I took a MOOC from Duke University on American Foreign Policy in the 21st Century.

Fine if very basic.

The school I teach at is investigating entering the MOOC field, but I don't know why they'd bother. I mean if a person could take a course offered by a well known school, than why would he or she take a similar course offered by Podunk U?

MOOCS are all the rage in the institutes of higher learning, but I think in a few years once the schools realize there's no money to be made, the number of them will lessen.

But for the curious, there's no down side to this development at all.

[kranepool]

I like Coursera (http://www.coursera.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;), probably because it's what I did first. I've been dabbling in math and computer science courses.

edx (http://www.edx.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) is another stellar option, combining material from MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Georgetown, among others.

The greatest challenge in on-your-own-time learning, IMO, is what happens when you get stuck.

[Scottie]

The Swamp *is* your Sports & Society course.

[kranepool]

Nice!

Also, http://www.udacity.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is very good.

And for those with an extremely short attention span like me (LOOK, A SQUIRREL!) https://www.khanacademy.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; does the trick.

[wlu_lax6]

The Swamp *is* your Sports & Society course.

I am hoping for something a bit better than FSU quality education

[The Sybian]

I've started many a MOOC, but never got that far. Most I tried were law or HR related, and quite boring. I never intended to get credits for them, so took the free standing courses that are posted online with no class interaction or assignments. Absolutely love the concept and need to take advantage now that I am out of the job search game. I am enjoying being able to read physical books and catch up on shows I always wanted to see (just finished Spaced on Tom's recommendation). I should take another look and see what is out there.