MIT launches free online 'fully automated' course

Because the MITx link isn't high enough for SEO to pick up: <a href="http://www.mitx.mit.edu/" rel="nofollow">http://www.mitx.mit.edu/</a> (otherwise you goto some learning exchange site, or other companies).

" But in future, the university says, there will be mechanisms for checking identity and verifying work."<p>This increases the value of the certificate as proof of knowledge and competence. Let's imagine that MIT offered 20 engineering courses in this format. You go through the effort of honestly taking these courses and add them to your resume. A potential employer says:<p>"Well, these courses are really rigorous -- much more so than those for-profit online 'universities'. While MIT will allow me to verify that a single online account holder claiming to be this person completed these courses, there's no proof that you didn't cheat or pay people to take the tests for you. Just look at how many CS homework projects are listed on Rent-a-Coder! I have to bring this person into my office and check them out myself to be sure."<p>I have argued previously that this "checking out" process isn't so expensive that an impressive resume would be passed over, and I still think this. However, what if a student had the option of paying a fee to take a test at an approved testing center which would check identification, take a photo of the student (available on MIT's site along with the course certificates), and ensure that this person took the test himself? Those taking actuarial exams and such already take tests at such locations. For those who didn't want to pay, lived somewhere without such centers, etc., certificates could be given which would have a lower level of authentication. If you are taking the time to complete a course and want to prove to others that you did not cheat, wouldn't it be worth paying an extra $100?

It's interesting how their first course is actually quite technical and has extensive prerequisites. I'm worried about not doing well because of these requirements -- is anyone in the same boat as me? I'm taking the course more out of curiousity and to be a part of something big than an expectation to do well.

How are they doing labs? The FAQ mentions that there are labs, but there is no information how how they are to be accomplished or submitted.

Enrolled! Anyone have any opinions on what subjects you CAN'T teach effectively through MITx's proposed methods?<p>I'm having trouble coming up with any "intro"-level work that cannot be effectively handled in this way. Solve the likely engagement issues (perhaps with well-designed gamification), and suddenly you've replaced all 100-level university courses -- freeing professors to teach the interesting stuff.

FYI: MIT already has the entire curriculum for every course in every degree program online at <a href="http://ocw.mit.edu" rel="nofollow">http://ocw.mit.edu</a>

&#62;designed to serve as a first course in an undergraduate<p>&#62;In order to succeed in this course, you must have taken an AP level physics course in electricity and magnetism.<p>Do high schools actually offer AP EE Physics classes? I went to a blue ribbon high school and they sure as hell didn't offer anything that specific at that advanced of a level. Even the university I went to had EE Physics as a 200 level class.

As would be expected, "Design and lab exercises are also significant components of the course." Sadly there is still no information on how this is going to be handled. Are you going to take pictures of your breadboard and multimeter readings to show you did your homework?<p>What do you guys think?

Once they offer a full set of modules, for say a CS degree, this could be very disruptive indeed.

Good step in the right direction. However, you are going to work just as hard, if not harder, than a local student and not get credit that can be used towards a proper university degree. I understand that this is an experiment. I get it. But, maybe MIT could offer the option to pass the actual course with full credit by examination once a student gets a passing grade on the MITx course?<p>It just seems like a lot of work for a certificate that might not carry much, if any, real weight. There are a good number of online degree programs where your work will actually go towards a degree.<p>The model I'd love to see goes something like this: Enroll in MITx. Study on your own. Pass. Then, on an annual basis, there's an opportunity to come to MIT, take a test, do some labs and get credit and grade on the real class towards a degree. People from all over the world would be open to that approach.<p>Now, if all you want is the knowledge while participating in a really neat experiment, by all means, full steam ahead.

now the computers program the people