4 ms·

A lot of these course systems seem to overemphasize the real-time component. It strikes me that almost all of the negatives were the result of this kid trying

A lot of these course systems seem to overemphasize the real-time component. It strikes me that almost all of the negatives were the result of this kid trying to "catch up" to the schedule, which was of little benefit to him since he (like the vast majority of participants, I'd imagine) couldn't participate in the real-time elements. The way they're trying to encourage these rigid course schedules just seems unnecessary, anti-learning. They could create wikis with FAQs, addenda, videos of hangouts and vastly expand the impact of each course by orders of magnitude. If anything, it looks like Coursera and edX actively bury the finished courses. I wonder what Khan Academy's impact would be if he'd gone with this approach. Of course, this just reveals the conflict of interest - these institutions sell degrees, so they aren't necessarily excited about offering an easily accessible, thorough directory of courses.

Lewton 14y ago
Part of the reason for doing it like this (I think) is because it gives a huge boost, as a student, to know that a thousand other people are going through the same course as you, at the same time as you.. I know that's one of the bigger reasons I managed to make it through the AI class last semester. Whether this benefit outweighs the negatives I do not know.
- njharman 14y ago
  > as a student, to know that a thousand other people are going through the same course as you, at the same time as you. I'm very independent and "lonerish" so my feeling are probably biased (I can't tell, too close) and defer to evolution having created the best mix of loners, herders, sociopaths, etc. But, still, herd mentality repulses me. I see it as a huge negative both personally and for society as a whole. That (young) people should be encouraged to be self-dependent and not follow the heard.
  - Drbble 14y ago
    Whoa. Herd mentality includes looking out for each other and helping each other and communicating.
mhurron 14y ago
Known deadlines help people schedule things. I've found them helpful.
- saturdaysaint 14y ago
  Great educational content is both intrinsically and extrinsically rewarding - it can be thoroughly stimulating and give you skills and knowledge you can use for the rest of your life. This is especially true in an age where transmission is free and where it's trivial to give the greatest professors/scholars a highly polished production that people can benefit from for years. I see time constraints doing a lot more harm than good here.
- randomdata 14y ago
  This is what I always hated about school. My mind knows when it ready to take in certain kinds of information, but working on someone else's schedule leaves me trying to do just that at non-optimal times. The results end up being much poorer than when I'm able to control when learning happens. With that said, I realize that everyone has widely different learning styles. Maybe these new digital classrooms have room for employing different techniques to personally cater to each and every individual?
  - mhurron 14y ago
    Udcaity seems to have a course with deadlines and then then when that is completed the same course without deadlines. You would just have to wait for the second run of any course to get the learn at your own pace track.
    - cwe 14y ago
      I took CS101 the first time around, which did have hard due dates. Now I'm in CS253 and the homeworks are much more flexible. They still have dates, but they are more for when the solutions are posted, and homeworks can be submitted after that. I think the actual grading will be on the final project. I like this method much better, as I have been in the same boat, falling behind because life gets in the way.
wmoser 14y ago
I know that for me, the time schedule is a deal breaker. I work in the oil industry on a ship. I started mitx electronics but had to go back to work for six weeks. Our Internet is frequently just enough to send email out. It would have been nice to pick up where I left off when I got home but I had already missed so many assignment due dates. I may go back and still watch the lectures but would have been nice to be able to complete the certificate.
ntoshev 14y ago
Sync deadlines help with at least two things: - motivation (helps with procrastination) - discussion (others are on the same stage)

Lewton 14y ago

Part of the reason for doing it like this (I think) is because it gives a huge boost, as a student, to know that a thousand other people are going through the same course as you, at the same time as you.. I know that's one of the bigger reasons I managed to make it through the AI class last semester. Whether this benefit outweighs the negatives I do not know.

njharman 14y ago
> as a student, to know that a thousand other people are going through the same course as you, at the same time as you. I'm very independent and "lonerish" so my feeling are probably biased (I can't tell, too close) and defer to evolution having created the best mix of loners, herders, sociopaths, etc. But, still, herd mentality repulses me. I see it as a huge negative both personally and for society as a whole. That (young) people should be encouraged to be self-dependent and not follow the heard.
- Drbble 14y ago
  Whoa. Herd mentality includes looking out for each other and helping each other and communicating.

mhurron 14y ago

Known deadlines help people schedule things. I've found them helpful.

saturdaysaint 14y ago
Great educational content is both intrinsically and extrinsically rewarding - it can be thoroughly stimulating and give you skills and knowledge you can use for the rest of your life. This is especially true in an age where transmission is free and where it's trivial to give the greatest professors/scholars a highly polished production that people can benefit from for years. I see time constraints doing a lot more harm than good here.
randomdata 14y ago
This is what I always hated about school. My mind knows when it ready to take in certain kinds of information, but working on someone else's schedule leaves me trying to do just that at non-optimal times. The results end up being much poorer than when I'm able to control when learning happens. With that said, I realize that everyone has widely different learning styles. Maybe these new digital classrooms have room for employing different techniques to personally cater to each and every individual?
- mhurron 14y ago
  Udcaity seems to have a course with deadlines and then then when that is completed the same course without deadlines. You would just have to wait for the second run of any course to get the learn at your own pace track.
  - cwe 14y ago
    I took CS101 the first time around, which did have hard due dates. Now I'm in CS253 and the homeworks are much more flexible. They still have dates, but they are more for when the solutions are posted, and homeworks can be submitted after that. I think the actual grading will be on the final project. I like this method much better, as I have been in the same boat, falling behind because life gets in the way.

wmoser 14y ago

I know that for me, the time schedule is a deal breaker. I work in the oil industry on a ship. I started mitx electronics but had to go back to work for six weeks. Our Internet is frequently just enough to send email out. It would have been nice to pick up where I left off when I got home but I had already missed so many assignment due dates. I may go back and still watch the lectures but would have been nice to be able to complete the certificate.

ntoshev 14y ago

Sync deadlines help with at least two things: - motivation (helps with procrastination) - discussion (others are on the same stage)