160.000 classmates 190 countries 44 languages 100 volunteers 2 Stanford professors
160.000 classmates – 190 countries - 44 languages – 100 volunteers- 2 Stanford professors are teaching three online courses and one of those courses is the popular course “AI”. The course called CS221 is offered to anyone with a web connection. Lectures and assignments are online and translated by 100 volunteers. There are even a few helpers that upload the videos to another host because certain countries have blocked YouTube/Google. These classes are the same ones administered in the regular on-campus class. The class has deadlines, and course work is graded each week as the student takes a test. The students who completed a course would be awarded an official Statement of Accomplishment. I just wish I could be there as these students get their Statement of Accomplishment. I betcha they beam from ear to ear. Thrun’s online class started as an experiment, and turned into a success story.
Because of the magnitude of students signing up for the courses I can see online education soaring as years come and go. Yes there will be obstacles. But these two Professors have already proven that obstacles can be broken. All it takes is the attitude that “you can make this work”. Negativity begets negativity. Success goes to those that at least try to adapt. They don’t make excuses.
