OpenCourseWare

The Linux movement has been slow, but constant. OpenOffice is also a free alternative to Microsoft Office. Now, thanks to MIT and others, we are seeing online curriculum following in the OpenSource revolution. By the end of 2007, MIT will release over 1,800 courses to the public. You can read more about the project at http://ocw.mit.edu/index.html. MIT will not support instruction of these courses, but any user can use the material under the opensource license.

The next online curriculum concept is podclasses. Many people do not know that podcasts can send audio, video and pdf files. A great example of this movement can be found at this link http://www.frenchpodclass.com/. The course includes video, audio and pdf textbook files for free. The second part of this movement is iTunes. iTunes offers a very easy to use interface for finding and downloading content to your Windows or Macintosh computer. You can view the content from your computer or use an Apple TV unit or simply sync your iPod. You now have the ability to study and do your homework anywhere you can take your iPod. You can also use a $16 AV cable to connect your iPod to anything that takes the RCA (Red, Yellow and White) connections. Creating podcasts rank in difficulty with sending an email with an attachment. Unlike many learning management system, the content can be linked to anything (emails, Blackboard, Moodle, websites, CDs, DVDs, etc...) The podcast server works like a file server and the RSS feeds simple create a pathway for content to flow from the server to anyone who subscribes to a podcast.

Many high quality podcasts already exist. A quick search in iTunes will show hundreds of great educational podcasts. The epnweb.org also offers a lot of content. I believe the concept that MIT has started with OpenCourseWare will merge with the concept of podclasses that will really balloon the online learning options.

So, what do you think?

Mike