Stanford Takes Online Schooling to the Next Academic Level

Education is meant to be shared, not hoarded. And technology could ease the desperation of students in developing nations who literally come to blows for limited seats in classrooms. Technology can help, a group of Stanford University professors decided. So they opened their classes to the world: “They would allow anyone, anywhere to attend online, take quizzes, ask questions and even get grades for free,” reports Steve Hinn for NPR.org. They sent notice to a professional group on a Saturday; by the end of the weekend, the class on artificial intelligence had more than 10,000 students, eventually attracting many more from 190 countries in all. The cost of a Stanford master’s degree approaches $50,000, but analysts anticipate that technology could lower costs and improve teaching. Participants can now sign up for 17 free online classes and “be part of the Stanford University spirit of innovation and openness.” – YaleGlobal