Free/Open Source Class

Our assignment was to find a K-12 Open Source class to take online.  I was unable to find a K-12 class, so I took an open course about the American Revolution at the Open Yale Courses website.  The course was a lecture on the American Revolution by Yale professor Joanne Freeman. 

The course was set up as a lecture.  Throughout the entire presentation, Professor Freeman lectured and shared insights with students.  It was obvious that there was also a live audience in the room because of her interactions with them, and they could be heard.  The course was designed as a traditional college lecture class.  There was not a difference in the presentation due to the audience being in the room.

The course offered a rich learning experience the same way any lecture class at a college would offer a rich learning experience.  The professor was obviously passionate about the subject, as well as extremely knowledgeable.  She was very entertaining and shared little details about the “important” people in U.S. history.  No assignments were given and credit for the class is not available.  This is an actual class offered at Yale.  The book is available for purchase, also. 

It would be a benefit for a struggling student to take an open source class prior to taking it for credit.  If a student is struggling with concepts – in math, for example – students are able to review and practice the concept.  When they take the class for credit, they will likely do better in the class.