Open CourseWare

Open CourseWare has a number of uses. One idea that draws my attention is that Open CourseWare could facilitate a revolution in the way in which class curriculum is presented. A current theory percolating through education world is the concept of a "flipped classroom." Advocates of the flipped classroom include proponents of Khan Academy, Mazure of Harvard, and others. Khan provided the following explanation, students could download instructional videos, etc. (e.g. from Khan Academy's website) and teachers could then skip their lecture and use class time to apply the content learned.

In this way, students may absorb the uniform lecture content of "classwork" at home at their own pace and with as many repetitions as necessary. Likewise, students may do their "homework" in class where they have greater resources (e.g. teacher, classmates, T.A.s where available) while they work to apply the content. Open CourseWare facilitates such a flipped classroom atmosphere by providing online content for use for (1) a set of specified, intended student beneficiaries (e.g. Open High School of Utah), (2) a formal group of students/teachers using the available materials for the flipped classroom (e.g. Khan Academy), and (3) any informal learning environment.