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.
