what: "A Gentle Introduction to Python" (free online course)
when: June 17th, 2013
where; http://mechanicalmooc.org/
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [p2pu-announce] Peer 2 Peer University offers a MOOC that cost
nothing to make
Date: Sun, 26 May 2013 11:41:58 +0100
From: Rebecca Kahn <[email protected]>
Reply-To: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Python programming MOOC built completely out of free and open resources
CAMBRIDGE, MA, May 22, 2013 — Universities worldwide are pouring hundreds
of thousands of dollars into each MOOC they offer through platforms like
Udacity, Coursera and edX, and all without a business model in sight. At
the same time, Peer 2 Peer University—a non-profit that explores the
cutting edge of peer supported online learning—is announcing an
introduction to Python programming MOOC that literally cost nothing to
build. The course, called "A Gentle Introduction to Python," is slated to
start June 17th, 2013, with enrollment at http://mechanicalmooc.org.
The unique model, called a "Mechanical MOOC," leverages existing open and
online learning sites, including MIT OpenCourseWare, OpenStudy and
Codecademy, and coordinates student activities using a modified mailing
list program dubbed by P2PU as the MOOC Maker. The MOOC Maker organizes
communication both with all class participants and among small groups of
learners, and recently received the OpenCourseWare Consortium's 2013 award
for Technical Innovation. In an earlier offering of the course, P2PU's "A
Gentle Introduction to Python" enrolled more than 8,000 learners with
retention and student success rates similar to those of MOOCs from the big
name providers.
"There are so many great open educational resources already available on
the web," said P2PU co-founder and Executive Director Philipp Schmidt, "it
just makes sense to take advantage of these. Many of the resources used for
the course can be downloaded and used offline, and some are translated into
other languages. It’s not only inexpensive to offer, but probably the most
flexible MOOC experience out there. "
The course combines content from MIT OpenCourseWare's 6.189 A Gentle
Introduction to Python and 6.00SC Introduction to Computer Programming
classes with a study group supported through OpenStudy and instant feedback
and practice projects from Codecademy. The course also uses an open
textbook, How to Think Like a Computer Scientist. Learners earn badges
demonstrating mastery through Codecademy and earn recognition of
collaborative skills through OpenStudy's SmartScore.
Participants register for a mailing list that will coordinate their
progress through the content and assessments and signal when discussions on
particular topics will occur. The sequencing e-mails will run in multiple
rounds, allowing learners who are struggling to fall back into the next
round and repeat units and still have a cohort of learners, rather than
being left completely behind.
"We want to do more than sign-up tens of thousands of students and have
only a fraction succeed," commented OpenStudy co-founder Preetha Ram. "Our
goal is to have everyone who participates succeed. We want to help learners
remain engaged throughout the course and be supported by a community."
Already, these sites individually draw huge audiences: MIT OpenCourseWare
attracts more than 1.3 million visitors a month, OpenStudy sees 250,000
students coming for help each month, including 16,000 in an introductory
programming group, and Codecademy has seen several million users since
August 2011. Each program has demonstrated the ability to deliver its
particular service at scale, and this offering will seek to build on those
successes by building synergies between the offerings.
About P2PU
The Peer 2 Peer University is a grassroots open education project that
organizes learning outside of institutional walls and gives learners
recognition for their achievements. P2PU creates a model for lifelong
learning alongside traditional formal higher education. Leveraging the
internet and educational materials openly available online, P2PU enables
high-quality low-cost education opportunities. P2PU – learning for
everyone, by everyone about almost anything.
About OpenStudy
OpenStudy is a social study network where students can ask questions,
give help, collaborate and meet others. Founded by professors and
students from Georgia Tech and Emory University, and funded by the
National Science Foundation and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,
OpenStudy believes that students can teach other students through
collaborative learning. OpenStudy believes in making the world one large
study group where students can work together in a single place
regardless of their school, country or background.
About Codecademy
Codecademy is the easiest way to learn to code. Since its launch in
August of 2011, Codecademy has been used by millions of users in more
than 100 countries. Users learn to build websites, create web
applications, and to understand the fundamentals of computer science
through an innovative, interactive interface. Codecademy is funded by
top tier investors like Union Square Ventures and Kleiner Perkins.
About MIT OpenCourseWare
MIT OpenCourseWare makes the materials used in the teaching of
substantially all of MIT’s undergraduate and graduate courses—more than
2,100 in all—available on the Web, free of charge, to any user in the
world. OCW receives an average of 1.75 million web site visits per month
from more than 215 countries and territories worldwide. To date, more than
125 million individuals have accessed OCW materials.
Contact:
Philipp Schmidt
Executive Director
Peer 2 Peer University
[email protected]
