I know that nobody is interested, but it's my blog and I'll write it anyway.
OK, I admit to being totally, utterly addicted to these online college courses. My thirst for knowledge is greater than I ever imagined. I decided I could only reasonably do two courses at once, therefore I am doing five.
Genetics and Evolution: I resigned myself to the fact that I am going to fail this. Each weekly test is about 50% math questions and I am simply not going to get them right. In order to do so I would need to spend many, many hours a weeks practising and understanding mathematical formulas that I don't currently understand, and to what avail? No. I get the basic concepts, I leave the math to others. I shall continue to enjoy the course and learn what is BEHIND it all. Sod the math.
Modern World, Global History Since 1760: Going to ace this, scores regularly in the high 90s. Love this course. Love it love it love it. The truth behind life as we know it.
Philosophy: Week 2 - it still sounds like total bollocks. But I must give it a chance. Apparently we know nothing.
Energy 101: High scores. A lot of very surprising facts. Essentially the average Joe arguing this knows nothing. I have no solutions but at least in future I won't be talking out of my arse on the topic.
Astrobiology: The great surprise. High scores. This course is blowing me away. I am almost embarrassed at how easy I am finding it. (Hint: There's no math involved).
I have signed up for three more courses which start in under a month's time, i.e. before these five finish.
Women and the Civil Rights Movement
Aboriginal Worldviews and Education
Science, Technology and Society in China
I have given up on one course I had started:
Critical Thinking in Global Challenges.
One of the professors had an unintelligible French accent, and there were other factors.
I also pulled out of:
Post-Modernism
Watched one lecture and wanted to slit my own throat.
There is a pattern here.
I have signed up for 24 other courses during 2013. Effectively it's like taking 3 degrees at once. Keeps me out of mischief.
I am thinking of taking a nutrition class that starts in April. Right now much of my computer time is spent researching a thing called "unschooling". Trying to find the method of schooling that might work best for Malcolm.
ReplyDeleteUnscholling can wotk very well on bright kids like Malcolm.
DeleteThe nutrition class will be fun, I promise.
That's unschooling and work. I type too fast.
DeleteI'm waiting for the Aboriginal one as well. I had started a food and nutrition course, but dropped it after the first lesson...I already know more than they can teach me.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I didn't take it, yup. Been studying this stuff for decades. But I think it's a great course.
DeleteIt's a good course for those who need it. No doubt. But for me? Nope.
DeleteI have a few others lined up, too. Just can't remember what they are!
All the ones you have signed up for will be listed at the site.
DeleteI know. I just haven't looked for about a week.
DeleteHmmmm I wonder if I already know more than it will teach. I know a lot about nutrition and what foods to eat with other foods to get the optimal intake of needed vitamins etc. I just have a lot of questions I was hoping it would answer.
ReplyDeleteGive it a try. You can always pass if it's too easy. No money lost!
DeleteThese courses are all free?
ReplyDeleteCompletely free, yes: https://www.coursera.org/
DeleteRusty's take on Post Modernism
ReplyDelete"She indifferently passed me the hot crock full of chili, and it burned my fingers. Knowing full well that there is no absolute truth, I picked it up again, and spilled it on the table when my overheated fingers dropped it again. How droll."
No, that would be Philosophy.
DeleteI really want to take some of those courses, but I have to be realistic. I just don't have the time right now. Between work, kids, housework and working out (which I really need to do).. it doesn't leave much time for studying right now. The time will come when I can..and then I will take full advantage of it.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime I will live vicariously through you. I really wanted to do that Energy one too...
The Energy course only takes about 30 minutes a week. I'm not exaggerating. But it will be more enjoyable for you when you don't have to cram it into a tight schedule.
DeleteI signed up for a few thinking that as usual, I would be sitting at home due to lack of winter work. Boy was I wrong! If the energy one is only half an hour, I should have time for that!
ReplyDelete