As I studied online, or why Coursera better university

After studying for several years at the university, for myself, I decided that simply is not suited to learning, like many of my classmates. Of course, from time to time I blamed the teachers, saying that they are not interested in teaching, knowledge can not be applied in practice and all the other stuff, which, as you know, say 99.9% of the students.

But mostly I still blamed himself. Imagine my surprise when I first tried to educate ourselves. At this point, I finally realized that the 99.9% of the students are right and the University instills a pathological dislike of the study. And some (I) more and are paying for a lot of money.

Introduction

When I decided to educate ourselves, my eyes immediately fell on Coursera. This is such an online project in the field of education, where the value of the global universities (Stanford, Wharton, Princeton) spread free training courses on various topics. And these so incredibly many, ranging from art and health and finishing business, physics and statistics.

And since I still did not know what I want in this life (20 years, huh), I decided to poke a finger in the sky and the University of Pennsylvania has chosen a course of marketing. It should tell you a bit about this institution.

Wharton School of Business at the same university is one of the leaders in the field of economic education, and I would like to believe that the other departments and the marketing department of one of them from her not behind.

So, I signed up for a course (once again, it's free!), And began his studies. Unfortunately, almost all Coursera courses in English. I have seen several courses in Russian, but their focus was not interesting to me.

At first listen Special English language with different terminology was pretty hard. I constantly switched to Google Translate and looked in it unfamiliar words. However, these words were remembered soon, and this greatly contributed to the subtitles. They have for each class, and all the courses that I have found, in the worst case have English subtitles, and at best - even Russian.

Needless to say, what to study on this course was incredibly interesting? Wharton course was divided into three parts, each of which led the new professor. When I listened to the first part, a professor Barbara Kahn seemed to me one of the most interesting teachers in my life, and I thought that it is unlikely it will be able to surpass the teacher in the following section.

Imagine my surprise when the first Peter Fader, and then David Bell poured on me so much useful and interesting information that I began to think about what our universities are specially made of us idiots.

And now a few advantages Coursera.

The best teachers from around the world

Coursera gives you an opportunity to get a little bit of knowledge and experience from the best professors in their field. Moreover, many of them in addition to teaching also have their own business. For example, Barbara Kahn, who led marketing course, is the director of the well-known consulting firm.

You can learn when you're comfortable

You want to listen to the course in the subway? No problem: at Coursera has a mobile app, and you can open a lecture anywhere, anytime. It's really very convenient and allows pre-plan your schedule and make it a class when it is convenient.

Certificate

Despite the fact that all the courses are free, for $ 40 you can get a certificate from the university, which completed the course. What for? Why do we go to different workshops and then post the paper on their end of the wall? Then he needs here. For all others it is proof that you actually took a course and learn something new. In addition, it can be useful for a job abroad, as well as frilanse of advantages which we wrote.

For you, the best evidence will continue to be the knowledge that settled in the head. Buying a certificate is not required and does not open access to some additional studies or other bonuses.

Interestingly, interactively and without the excess water

What I liked most is the fact that many laws, definitions and theories explained with reference to specific firms. The courses often talk about Apple, Microsoft, Zappos, Amazon, Virgin and many other companies who have achieved something in your niche.

Moreover, for each class there are special forums where students can communicate with each other, discuss the course and ask questions to teachers. Well, among other things, it is very interesting.

You can find a course on any subject

As I have said, on the Coursera about 700 courses in various fields of activity. Engineering, business, arts, management, marketing, science - every one of them are the best universities and teachers from around the world.

Summarizing

Coursera - it's cool. I did not spare $ 40 and still has got a certificate of completion. I do not know whether it is useful to me ever in my life, but I just wanted to thank those people who have returned I love education, and given the opportunity to learn something new, make learning interesting, practical and helpful.

When you begin to take the course for the first time and see the teachers, you will understand immediately why what they tell us so exciting.

Each of them is having fun on his specialty and even speaks of basic things with fire in his eyes. And it's contagious.

Learn about the beginning of the course can be about a few weeks. Already at that time will be described in the course program, leading his teachers and brief information about them. Change can not be a teacher, but I think that you do not need. I should add that Coursera provides the knowledge that you can use, and you can safely forget - it all depends on you. But higher education diploma, she still does not.

Coursera By cons include the fact that the online project requires you organization. Over you will not stand a teacher with a ruler in his hand and force you to learn every day. Perebaryvat have to laziness and doing it yourself. Get it or not - depends on you. If the project you have something does not suit, you can look at the peers. For example, Oxford puts on his website free courses. Here we talked about the free courses in programming for Android and iOS, and here there are free courses at Stanford University.

I want to advise one very important thing. Key points of each lecture (and there have been 60) I recorded in Evernote, supplementing them with slides that showed the teacher, basic definitions and your thoughts. This notes helped me in passing the final exam, as Coursera allows to use any means at their delivery.

The problem is that 70% of the questions in the last test especially practical and Google with the "Wikipedia" is unlikely to help. But your own notes - still as. Also, these records will help in the future when you want to refresh their knowledge. The course, which I mentioned all this time, is here. If someone wants to pass it, or just to read my summary, write, I am happy to share a link to the bookmark.

Perhaps the only conclusion I can make is that Coursera - is the future of education. Over a two-month course on marketing, I learned much more than the university for four years. Yes, I dolt, yes, I did not want to learn, but the problem is not just me. Our education makes us so. A Coursera will make you fall in love again study. I promise.