Good Idea, Chap: Coursera- A World of Opportunity

Regardless of the fact that I have probably said it a million times already, I trust that it is well worth to once more stress that to undertake a bachelor’s degree in England & Wales will cost you roughly £ 30, 000 in tuition fees only.

I will not opt to oppose or justify that atrocious figure; I am merely stating the obvious.

And the following are, to a large extent, blatantly obvious:

• On average, a student in an English or Welsh university has about five hours’ worth of lectures and five hours’ worth of seminars per week, all in all ten hours of interaction per week

• University education in England and Wales relies heavily on self- study and self- preparation

• Most universities in England and Wales do not offer their students work placements in their respective spheres of study (not even unpaid ones)

• Most universities focus mainly on the academic side of a subject matter

• Twenty- five percent of English and Welsh graduates today have difficulties in securing a job in their sector of study as they lack the practical skills and experience required by employers

• Mickey Mouse Degrees and modules. Yes, that à

<< http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2297395/David-Beckham-degree-at-Staffordshire.html >>

Some universities even go as far as offering their students online audio recordings of their lectures. Even thought that could potentially be quite useful for revision purposes, it defeats the purpose of physical lectures where there is no requirement for students to attend the said.

On the top of the £ 30, 000 worth of tuition fees, you will also have to pay another £ 17, 000 for accommodation and living expenses which brings you in the region of  £ 50, 000.

But enough negativity, let me fill up your glass:

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<   www.coursera.org >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Two- hundred and six courses in a wide variety of subjects taught by professors and academics from renowned universities such as Brown, Princeton, Cambridge, etc- and all that at the price of….

….a click.

The courses and all of their content are online, can be viewed at your leisure and are completely free of charge.

Furthermore, the website offers both academic (History 1300- 1700) and practical (An Introduction to Operations Management) courses.

Having gone through several courses myself, I can assure you that the material is delivered in a very professional and user- friendly manner.

Also, if you are one of those needy people, upon completion of the course, you get a certificate from the academic who teaches the module.

In the end of the day, however, it’s the knowledge and skills obtained that matter and not the flashy and exquisitely laminated and framed sheet of paper.

I shall not dwell on the website contents any further and will let you explore its vast possibilities in your own time.

In the past, the path to self- improvement was an expensive and, in most cases, arduous, if not impossible, endeavour open to those of immense wealth and status in society.

Not today- today we learn together and teach together.

Today we create a world of free, accessible and flexible education that everyone can be a part of and take part in.

Try it; it’s on me.