MITx

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2011/mitx-faq-1219.html

• MIT is creating an online version of their courses called MITx.  While it does not hold the same value as an actual degree from MIT, it is hoped that this program will improve education around the world and break down financial barriers to education by offering free high-level programs.
• Stakeholders:
• MIT
• Anyone hoping to get into MIT
• Prospective employers
• Students
• Social and Ethical Issues
• Globalization: this system will be available around the world
• Equality of Access: by making this open source, everyone will have equal opportunity to learn, regardless of financial standing
• People and Machines: this system will be part of a study to determine how students learn best
• Areas of Impact
• Science
• Education
• Business
• Advantages
• Equal access to education for all
• Hopefully raised global standards of education
• More information about how to teach / how people learn
• Disadvantages
• Possible misuse of information
• My opinion
• This is a great idea.  There is a problem in this country and others that the less money you have, the harder it is to get an education.  If you live in the country and do not have much money, you are unlikely to ever get a good education and be successful.  By creating a globalized, highly affordable way for people to learn, MITx should help with this problem.
• Will I use it and will others?
• I would like to take advantage of this, as it is a great opportunity.  Unfortunately, I think it will be underutilized.  A lot of people will never know it exists and many others will think it is too expensive or out of their reach.  I think that creating a whole series of this type of courses, from elementary school up, would be a great advancement and is necessary before a program like this will work all that well.