The (Free) Classroom of Life

These days, a lot of community colleges and universities offer Web-based education for individuals pursing degrees or certifications. But folks that pursue online education aren’t always looking for a degree. Some of us just want to increase our knowledge for professional, civic, or personal development. To address this need, an increasing number of institutions are providing open access to lectures and courses through their Web sites or via iTunes U. These non-credit offerings allow self-learners to audit classes and listen to renowned lecturers free of charge – without commuting to a campus or dealing with tests and admissions hurdles. Access to an Internet-connected computer and a love of learning is all that is required.

So, let’s say you’re interested in micro-financing and poverty elimination. One of the world’s leading experts on these subjects is Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus. You can hear Yunus’ perspective on these topics in a 44-minute segment featured with UNC Chapel Hill's Kenan Flagler School. If you’d rather focus on mathematics, listen to MIT Professor Denis Auroux conduct a lecture series called "Multivariable Calculus." More interested in literature? Consider Yale University Professor Amy Hungerford’s “The American Novel Since 1945." Or, perhaps you’d like to hear D.C.’s Public School Chancellor Michelle Rhee talk about education reform. Duke’s Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy has a video of Rhee’s November 2008 speech titled, "Public Education Reform: The Case Study of Washington, D.C." And that’s just a sampling of the thousands of archived courses and lectures that abound on the Web.

But what if you don’t have the time or patience to hunt for institutions that offer free, open access to their course catalogs and lecture series? The OpenCourse Ware Consortium is a global network of more than 200 universities, providing what the group describes as “free and open digital publication of high-quality education materials, organized as courses.” So, from your desk or armchair, you can tap into the University of Tokyo or the University of Nottingham, to name a few. Then there's Academic Earth, a new site compiling listings of free online course and lecture offerings. Founder Richard Ludlow is hoping his clearinghouse site will eventually offer free electronic textbooks and opportunities for learners to interact with one another. In the meantime, if you’re searching for a particular book or article being discussed in a class you’re auditing, start with a visit to your local library, and be sure to check out NC LIVE and the Library of Congress as well. Along the way – whether for education or leisure, always remember these budget-conscious sites that allow you to trade, borrow, or buy books: bookmooch.com, paperbackswap.com, bookswim.com and betterworld.com. Happy learning!