| The driving force behind
Open Learning |
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Dear John,
One of the things I love about teaching is that it is fundamentally collaborative. As an instructor or a learner, in a lab, a library, or online, the moment of learning happens when you feel the spark of discovery jump from one mind to another. That energy often leads in exciting directions, opening doors and pathways to new and powerful insights, and new ways of connecting with one another. When I joined Open Learning this summer as Senior Associate Dean, I was excited for the opportunity to help make those connections for millions of learners around the world.
This process of opening minds is a profound means of creating positive change in the world. It is also one of the driving forces at OpenCourseWare, MITx, and MIT Open Learning. We know the difference it makes because you, fellow learners, educators, and supporters tell us.
Recently, we heard from Emmanuel Kasigazi, an entrepreneur from Uganda who found OCW through our YouTube channel.
His journey and dedication to learning reinforces the impact of our efforts to improve education at MIT and the world. With help from our supporters, we’re thrilled we can freely provide OCW, MITx, and Open Learning Library resources to meet his passion and interests in computer engineering, philosophy, psychology, and the sciences. We hope people everywhere can access tools and educational resources to help them succeed in their learning journeys. |
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Expanding our reach
This academic year, we are particularly focused on expanding the reach of our programs. In addition to putting OCW in the hands of smartphone users through the launch of the OCW Next Generation platform, we are beginning collaborations with educators to create and use more culturally relevant open education materials.
For example, OCW is beginning to collaborate with several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to develop open education content that are inclusive of African and African American culture and perspectives. Materials will be shared through the HBCU Affordable Learning Solutions (AL$) Community Portal, and also on OCW. |
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We also continue to add new courses to the MIT Open Learning Library and we are always expanding MITx Course offerings – courses that are also free to take and offer interactive learning experiences and assessments. Learners interested in earning a certificate of achievement on MITx courses can do so for a small fee.
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In all of this work, we plan to keep you and your fellow learners in mind as we take on new opportunities to increase our courses and resources that so many find useful. We invite you to tell us more about your experience using our materials and what you hope to see more of from OCW and MITx.
I look forward to sharing our progress with you and until then, please keep learning and keep sharing OCW, MITx, and Open Learning with your networks and communities.
Best regards,
Chris
Christopher Capozzola
Senior Associate Dean for Open Learning |
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