Free and universally accessible knowledge

By autumn 2013, Lausanne’s Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) plans to introduce ten more online courses. All over the world, an increasing number of higher education institutions are developing free interactive online university courses, known as MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses).  This is a trend illustrated by EPFL President Patrick Aebischer as he is taking a six-month sabbatical this year in the U.S and Africa to focus on MOOC, which he describes as a potential “tsunami” in higher education. His colleague Karl Aberer, who oversees the courses at EPFL, agrees: “I’m pretty sure they will result in fundamental changes. There are already talks about no longer needing large lecture halls on campus.” Furthermore, since 2009, EPFL has been a partner of iTunes U, the Apple online platform, which offers thousands of courses from hundreds of universities and high schools, such as Yale, MIT and Collège de France. Try it !

Swissinfo.ch / Wikipedia.

Picture : Public domain image (CC0)