Nigeria /- :MIT To Offer Its Courses Free Online By Year End
My biggest frustration in the area of technological adoption and economic growth in Nigerian has been in the education sector. One would assume that with the prohibitive cost of transportation and other hindrances, social and transaction in nature, online learning would boom in Nigeria. I do not buy the expensive computer and NEPA argument, my people rock $150 shoes. Another tool has been added to the countless kits online, MIT will offer its courses free online by year end. If this is coupled with Scott McNealy's open source textbook project, the sky will be the limit. This would not necessarily replace the formal education setup we presently have in Nigeria, but rather act as a boost.
Fear not Mr. Nigerian Professor, you will not loose any power associated with your office, rather you will get more ammunition to bamboozle your student. Even if it takes a while for Nigerian students to warm up to the idea of getting resources from other places beside their teachers and handouts, I see no reason why the teachers should not incorporate these kits into their courses. As a product of a Nigerian University I can attest to the fact that Nigeria's educational sector isn't as bad as sometimes portrayed by the media. I believe our problem is mostly that of focus and relevance. With a little help in direction we would surely be on our way to accomplish great deeds. Let us not perish for lack of information, spread the word.
MIT launched its "OpenCourseWare" program in 2003 and already
offers hundreds of courses online. A small number of other U.S. schools are
following suit. Stanford put some classes on line last year and Bryn Mawr plans
to do so soon.
16Comment(s):
I am sure that the courses wont come wit any kind of kpali.
Oh no, no paali comes with the courses, isn't that what we have been preaching against. If emphasis is taken from BSC MSC then folks can focus on more productive technical education. I wonder if we have a sort of complex which we all seek to overcome with a roll of degrees. Dunno.
i wonder if this will work
i mean in a place like naija???????
The MIT OCW has been available for years and several other US schools have them as well. Unfortunately, these resources haven’t been of significant benefit to many African colleges. According to MIT OpenCourseWare “the OCW materials are largely underutilised in many African regions where Internet connectivity is limited."
To overcome this limitation, MIT OCW is looking to collaborate with educational institutions that are interested in hosting a mirror site, or a local copy of the MIT OCW materials.”
The goal of the program is to have 100 mirror sites installed at African educational institutions by the end of 2006.”
MIT OCW: http://ocw.mit.edu/index.html
Thanks Imnakoya for shedding more light on this. Chidi and Omoibadan thanks for coming by.
ohh i think mii likey
@Chidi - let's be positive, We are after all the giants of africa.
Omodudu where art thou? Abeg, we're waiting for an update. If u're too busy, "dress" small make ragdolldudu update jere, i'm sure she has some juicy stories.
I guess we just have to be optimistic about it all.
Like Chidi said,
I wonder if it will work in naija,
but if itdoes it wil make a whole lot of difference.
please some enligten oga lecturers,iI remember when I was in school,my ogs used to vex,if I got extra info online,dey used to call me over sabi.
So I stuck to handouts jejeje.
I'm kinda optimistic. Online courses gives one the opportunity to continue life long learning while hustling. I think LASU is thinking about it and NOUN has it in the pipeline. With regards to the free type, of course there will be no kpali but then, the best education sometimes comes without kpali. I mean, look at me!
So, MIT offers Openware and suddenly you close shop - what is going on?
I hope you are fine and well - a very concerned reader and well-wisher.
Thanks all for checking up on duduland. No duduland has not been invaded by aliens, no there was no coup de'tat. Yes we will be back., Thanks y'all.
I was thinking when would schools like Unilag start their own online course?
I hope the MIT thingy works oh...if it does,im jumping on it...whether i need further education or not!
bro's is only God that can bless. Just keep the good deal.