Incredible Open Courses for the Ultimate Tech Geek
Sunday, November 8, 2009
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While colleges can be a great place to build up your knowledge of technologies of all kinds, real world experience and Free learning resources on the web can do a pretty good job of showing you the ropes as well. Here are 100 free resources that can help you hone your techie skills and learn more about the ever-changing world of technology !
First of all I would like to explain to you some keywords like :
MIT: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is devoted to the advancement of knowledge and education of students in areas that contribute to or prosper in an environment of science and technology.
Openlearn: Open educational resources from The Open University. Free online learning materials for all to use.
TWB: Teachers Without Borders supports teacher-leaders, worldwide, because they play a vital role in their communities.
USU: Utah State University
Computer Science and Engineering
These courses offer you a chance to learn about everything from electrical engineering to the basics of computer science.
- Data and Processing in Computers: Learn just how computers and software work in this free course. [OpenLearn]
- Theory of Computation: This course will help you learn some of the more advanced theories behind how computers operate. [MIT]
- Introduction to Computer Science and Programming: Start from the beginning in your computer science education with this course. [MIT]
- Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs: Take this course to learn some basic programming skills and how to work within computer systems. [MIT]
- Signals and Systems: Here you can learn about the basics of systems and signals analysis. [MIT]
- Topics in Theoretical Computer Science: Internet Research Problems: With so much being based around the web these days, this course will help you learn to develop systems and solve problems using the internet. [MIT]
- Great Ideas in Theoretical Computer Science: This course offers a great introduction to the theories of computer science, from the beginnings of computer systems to the present day. [MIT]
- Pervasive Human Centric Computing: Try out this course to learn about all kinds of computing devices in addition to the personal computer. [MIT]
- Circuits and Electronics: Through this course, students will learn the essentials of electrical engineering. [MIT]
- Computation Structures: Learn about engineering digital computer systems from this course. [MIT]
- Computer System Engineering: Check out this course to get an education on the engineering of computer software and hardware systems. [MIT]
- Microelectronic Devices and Circuits: This course offers learners the chance to expand their knowledge of modeling of microelectronic devices, basic microelectronic circuit analysis and design, physical electronics of semiconductor junction and more.
- Videogame Theory and Analysis: Study the social and educational implications of video games in this course. [MIT]
- Artificial Intelligence: This course will introduce students to the representation, problem solving, and learning methods of artificial intelligence.[MIT]
There isn’t much point in having an awesome tech setup if it’s at risk of being destroyed by hackers or digital ne’er-do-wells. These courses will help you learn to keep information and systems secure.
- Cryptography and Cryptanalysis: This course will introduce students to public-key encryption, digital signatures, pseudo-random number generation, and basic protocols. [MIT]
- Advanced Topics in Cryptography: Expand on your knowledge of cryptographic topics with this great free course. [MIT]
- Network Security: Learn how to secure your networks at home and at work with this course. [OpenLearn]
- An introduction to information security: Try out this course to learn the basics of information security. [OpenLearn]
- Selected Topics in Cryptography: Examine special topics in cryptography in this course, like cryptographic protocols and secure voting systems. [MIT]
- Network and Computer Security: Through this course you can learn everything from risk assessment to protecting software. [MIT]
Check out these courses to learn the basics of several different programming languages.
- Introduction to Software Engineering in Java: Take this course to learn how to use Java to build computer programs. [MIT]
- Building Programming Experience: If you want to expand on your existing programming knowledge, consider going through the resources offered in this course. [MIT]
- Java Preparation: If you know little to nothing about Java, take this course to get a good foundation. [MIT]
- Essential Coding Theory: Learn about the past and present of the theory of error-correcting codes. [MIT]
- Programming Languages: While this course uses the Scheme + programming language, you’ll learn the fundamentals that apply to many other languages as well. [MIT]
- Nonlinear Programming: Address some of the less straightforward problems with programming in this course. [MIT]
- Dynamic Programming and Stochastic Control: Learn how to make decisions under uncertain conditions when programming through this course. [MIT]
- A Gentle Introduction to Programming Using Python: This course will make learning Python painless and useful. [MIT]
- Program Analysis: Here you’ll learn how to turn a critical eye towards several major programming issues in this course. [MIT]
- Computer Language Engineering: Through this course you’ll learn how to implement advanced programming languages. [MIT]
- Introduction to C++: Go through the materials offered by this course to learn how to use C ++. [MIT]
From building a website to understanding how the web works, these courses offer a great variety of learning opportunities.
- Ethics and the Law on the Electronic Frontier: Examine the legal issues that face working on the web and protecting copyrights in the digital era. [MIT]
- Social Visualization: This course will take you through learning how to create a visual representation of the visitors to any given websites. [MIT]
- People-centered Design: From amusement park rides to elevators, this course will help you learn more about creating products that work for users. [OpenLearn]
- Designing Sociable Media: Learn how the design of a website influences how people use it to interact and get a chance to build your own social media in this course. [MIT]
- Flash: If you’ve never learned how to use Flash, this course offers a great introduction. [USU]
- Learn and Apply HTML: Most of the web is still based around an HTML framework, so learning how to use the programming language through this course can be a big help. [USU]
- Fundamentals of Computational Media Design: Take this course to learn about the history of 20th century art and design from the perspective of the technologist. [MIT]
- Interactive Multimedia Production: Through this course you’ll use Flash to build online programs that users can interact with. [USU]
- Writing on Contemporary Issues: Culture Shock! Writing, Editing, and Publishing in Cyberspace: This English course teaches students some of the challenges and advantages to publishing work online. [MIT]
Learn more about the world of software engineering and design from these courses.
- Computer Graphics: Learn how to build computer graphics in this course that teaches students about the computer graphics hardware, algorithms, and software needed. [MIT]
- User Interface Design and Implementation: A great program isn’t particularly useful if it isn’t user friendly, and this course will focus on teaching how to build great, easy-to-navigate interfaces. [MIT]
- The Software Business: If you’ve got a great idea for a software product, you can use this course to learn about the business side of things and how you can get your product on the market. [MIT]
- Laboratory in Software Engineering: Through this course students will be able to learn how to build software from the ground up. [MIT]
- Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs: Take this course to learn how to apply computer programming methods to solve computational problems. [MIT]
- Foundations of Software Engineering: This introductory course is a great place to get started learning more about software engineering. [MIT]
- Common Sense Reasoning for Interactive Applications: Take advantage of the knowledge users already process when designing user interfaces in this course. [MIT]
- Program Analysis: Learn how to look critically at the way programs are working with a little help from this course. [MIT]
- Designing the user interface: text, colour, images, moving images and sound: Learn about the important role all of these aspects play in engaging users. [OpenLearn]
Whether you want to be an IT professional or just get a better understanding of the field, these courses can help.
- Database Systems: Here you can learn about the foundations of database systems. [MIT]
- Information Technology I: Take this introductory course to learn about some of the essentials in information technology. [MIT]
- Global Issues in Information Technology: Learn how culture influences how technologies are used in this course. [TWB]
- Database, Internet, and Systems Integration Technologies: This course is billed as an intensive review of information technology topics, including software development, databases and web development. [MIT]
- Data Structures and Programming Methodology: This course will teach you about the math used in information technology and the multiple ways information and data can be organized. [UC Berkeley]
- Computer Networks: Through this course you’ll learn more about global networks and the principles on which they are organized. [MIT]
- Networks: Theory and Application: Here you can learn about a variety of networking topics from social networks to applications in information networks such as the Internet. [U of Michigan]
- Information Technology and the Labor Market: Learn how the prevalence of IT is reshaping the American labor market. [MIT]
- Information Technology Essentials: Make sure you’ve got down the basics of what it takes to understand information technology with some guidance from this course. [MIT]
- Practical Information Technology Management: Take this course to learn how to make sound business decisions when it comes to IT. [MIT]
These courses address everything from cell phones to communication systems.
- High Speed Communication Circuits and Systems: This course will address the important issues in circuit design in communication devices. [MIT]
- Data Communication Networks: Learn why networks are structured the way they are and how they might change in the future in this course. [MIT]
- Communicating in Cyberspace: Here students will learn to think critically about developing communications systems for use on the internet. [MIT]
- Digital Communications: Take a closer look at optical fiber links in this course. [MIT]
- Principles of Wireless Communications: This course will cover the design, analysis, and fundamental limits of wireless transmission systems.[MIT]
- Intro to Tech Communication: While having technical knowledge is great, this course addresses how to improve communication so you can get your ideas out there. [MIT]
- Communication Systems Engineering: Learn what goes into designing and building communications systems for aerospace, satellites, and deep space devices. [MIT]
- Transmission of Information: This course will help you learn more about the quantitative theory of information. [MIT]
- Communication Systems I: Split into two parts, this first course will teach students about basic analog systems. [USU]
- Principles of Digital Communications: This course will help students gain a better understanding of how modern communication devices work. [MIT]
Use these courses to get an idea of how technology is changing education.
- Technologies for Creative Learning: Take a look at this course to consider how technology can help people learn new things in exciting ways. [MIT]
- Computer Games and Simulations for Investigation and Education: This course will teach you how people learn from interactive computer environments and encourage students to develop their own learning systems. [MIT]
- Educational Technologies in Learning Theories: Through this course you can learn about several different learning theories and the role technology can play in each of them. [TWB]
- Producing Distance Education Resources: Learn how to build better resources for distance learning through this course. [USU]
- Networks for Learning: Here you can take a course that focuses on the problem of supervised learning within the framework of Statistical Learning Theory. [MIT]
- How to Learn (Almost) Anything: Check out this course to learn how digital technologies can be used to teach just about anything. [MIT]
- Digital Libraries: Learn more about the future of the library through this course. [U of Michigan]
- Technological Tools for School Reform: From cheap laptops to schools better using technology, this course offers ideas for change through a technological lens. [MIT]
- Information and Communication Technology in Education: In this course you’ll learn why it’s so important to teach students how to use computers. [TWB]
- Blogs, Wikis, New Media for Learning: Take a look at this course to discover what role these new technologies might play in the classroom. [USU]
- Autism Theory and Technology: In this course you’ll learn not only about autism, but also about the role technology can play in making it easier for these kids to learn and interact with others. [MIT]
Make sure you understand the principles behind the technology you’re using with these great courses.
- Introduction to Algorithms: Take a look at this course material to get a handle on the basics of algorithms. [MIT]
- Introduction to Mathematical Programming: This course will take you through the numbers behind all the programming. [MIT]
- Distributed Algorithms: Learn about the latest research in this field through this informative and cutting-edge course. [MIT]
- Automata, Computability, and Complexity: Take this course to learn more about topics like finite automata and regular languages, context-free languages, Turing machines, partial recursive functions and more. [MIT]
- Mathematics for Computer Science: Math is important to computer science, so learn how to do everything from the basics to more complex problems in this course. [MIT]
- Probabilistic Systems Analysis and Applied Probability: We live in an uncertain world, and this course offers a chance to understand the math behind probability. [MIT]
- Advanced Calculus for Engineers: If you’re more focused on the design side of things, this course can give you the math background you need. [MIT]
- Topics in Theoretical Computer Science: An Algorithmist’s Toolkit: Take this course to learn about some of the geometric tools used in defining algorithms. [MIT]
- Quantum Computation: In this course you’ll get a chance to learn about the physics of information processing, quantum logic, and quantum algorithms. [MIT]
- Principles in Applied Mathematics: Here you’ll learn about the role math plays in coding, engineering and more. [MIT]
Take these courses to learn about the cultural and social implications of technology.
- Technology in American History: Going back to colonial times, this course will address the role in which technology has played in shaping American history. [MIT]
- The History of Computing: Learn about computers from their infancy to the present day in this course. [MIT]
- Technology and Nature in American History: Take this course to learn how the term "nature" has been shaped by industrial practices. [MIT]
- Technology and Gender in American History: Technology is often considered a man’s world, but this course addresses the myriad of roles women have played and the changing relationship between the sexes and new technology. [MIT]
- Technology in a Dangerous World: Check out this course to better understand the relationship between terrorism and technology. [MIT]
- Technology and Culture: Here you’ll learn about the effects technology has had on culture around the world and whether or not it has changed things for the better. [MIT]
- The Anthropology of Computing: Look at computers and their role in human society from an anthropological standpoint in this course. [MIT]
- Introduction to the History of Technology: While you might be more interested in modern technology, understanding the roots of the gadgets you use could be useful, and this course will educate you on just that. [MIT]
- Social and Political Implications of Technology: Take a look at how technology influences how society is organized and how people behave in this course. [MIT]
- Cultural History of Technology: This course explains that the idea of technology is relatively new and explores the effect it has had on how people define themselves and their world. [MIT]
Hope this article be of a great help to you. Knowledge is Power ! :)
Source: OnlineCourses