MIT has long offered thousands of undergrad and graduate level course materials for free online. This month, they announced plans to significantly update and expand that effort, creating an open-source education system called MITx that will basically allow anyone to virtually take an MIT class, participate in laboratories, and get individual assessment on whether or not they've learned the material. The school even has plans—not fully worked out yet—to offer some kind of certificate of completion to people who take classes this way and can show that they've mastered the subject. MITx will open in spring of 2012. I'm looking forward to checking out this great resource! (Thanks to Chris Hayden!)
MIT and the future of open-source education
Here's how to see evidence of the Big Bang on television
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Bridal celebrations are muscling in on the spaces created by queer and marginalized folks, effectively forcing them out and appropriating the safety therein. Researchers studying venues in Provincetown, Massachussets, report a process similar to gentrification—"hetrification"—where loaded white women trying to escape the straight world only succeed in bringing it back to the places from which… READ THE REST
This alternative to coffee offers all the pick-me-up but none of the crash
We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. Did you know the webcam is a thing because of coffee? Yep, smart guys at Cambridge were the first to put a video camera feed online so they'd know precisely when… READ THE REST
Save over 60% off this nifty phone mount while supporting kids in need
We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. Whether you're commuting to class or visiting a sports center, learning a new skill could have your mind racing in a million places at once, and that might prompt you to… READ THE REST
These super affordable online courses prove it's easy to learn something new
Going through the same monotonous tasks every day can really do a number on your spirit. That's why many adults of all ages take the time to learn something new, whether to a bit of spice to the day or make a complete career pivot. And with fantastic e-learning programs like the five listed below,… READ THE REST
