In the exploding internet era, does a formal degree matter any more?
Once upon a time, joining the MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT, was a dream for many. It was not easy to join the institute. MIT is regarded as the world's best in many of the faculties. This dream has come true to many, thanks to the internet and MOOC systems. In fact we need to thank the legends of MIT for offering these courses in collaboration with other universities.
If some one is looking for a world class online course, he cannot miss being here edx.org (offered by MIT) . It offers courses in many fields at the world class. The lecturers and professors are world renowned and are legends in their fields. The point is, it is almost FREE.
If some one is planning to learn Arabic, it is available free and one can in fact become a professional, using the content available online. Check the youtube video below to understand how easy learning Arabic is. Thanks to Maha. She is the Arabic instructor. There are options like this for other languages and skills too.
Now let us compare a student who has got a 3+2 years of formal college study and a person who has spent time undergoing the courses like those available on edx,org. The college education would have given an exposure in an area of study and if the student was curious, she would have learnt more than her curriculum. On the other hand, the person who would have studied based on his interest and curiosity, through online and MOOCs, would have learnt a lot, but may not have been in a focused area of study.
There was a period, when people had to study deep and width was not very important. Today it has become that one has to have a wide knowledge. The width is at times more important than the depth. Not denying the fact, we need docs and enggs, who are pro's, who have the deep sense of their subject. Even those doctors, engineers and professionals are expected to exhibit knowledge in other areas. The intersections of disciplines are continuously expanding.
There will be a time, where the formal degrees, will no more be important than the real knowledge, understanding, curiosity and the capacity to implement an idea.
Once upon a time, joining the MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT, was a dream for many. It was not easy to join the institute. MIT is regarded as the world's best in many of the faculties. This dream has come true to many, thanks to the internet and MOOC systems. In fact we need to thank the legends of MIT for offering these courses in collaboration with other universities.
If some one is looking for a world class online course, he cannot miss being here edx.org (offered by MIT) . It offers courses in many fields at the world class. The lecturers and professors are world renowned and are legends in their fields. The point is, it is almost FREE.
If some one is planning to learn Arabic, it is available free and one can in fact become a professional, using the content available online. Check the youtube video below to understand how easy learning Arabic is. Thanks to Maha. She is the Arabic instructor. There are options like this for other languages and skills too.
Now let us compare a student who has got a 3+2 years of formal college study and a person who has spent time undergoing the courses like those available on edx,org. The college education would have given an exposure in an area of study and if the student was curious, she would have learnt more than her curriculum. On the other hand, the person who would have studied based on his interest and curiosity, through online and MOOCs, would have learnt a lot, but may not have been in a focused area of study.
There was a period, when people had to study deep and width was not very important. Today it has become that one has to have a wide knowledge. The width is at times more important than the depth. Not denying the fact, we need docs and enggs, who are pro's, who have the deep sense of their subject. Even those doctors, engineers and professionals are expected to exhibit knowledge in other areas. The intersections of disciplines are continuously expanding.
There will be a time, where the formal degrees, will no more be important than the real knowledge, understanding, curiosity and the capacity to implement an idea.
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