Online Courses - Coursera, Udacity, EdX, etc.

[NAMOR]

great thread - thanks for the resources. never took any courses on physiology or philosophy in college. timing couldnt be better than a 8am conference call

 

[BSMTH]

I’ve taken two courses from Coursera, I’ve found them to be really engaging and somewhat useful (Intro to Finance & Intro to Marketing).

My only gripe with Coursera is that they offer a great deal of “elective” type courses, like Ancient Greek Civilization or Early English Poetry.

But, if you can find classes with that carry practical value and/or personal interest I would say go for it, the time invested in the classes won’t be wasted.

 

[Thearkly]

...

 

[gettoasty]

Any courses on PMP?
Or operational management, optimization, business law & ethics, HR etc.?

 

[gettoasty]

Anyone still picking up courses for fun / self-development?

Anyone try the paid, "certified" versions?

Just signed up for a few courses more specific to the work I'm doing right now starting late September. Will see how it goes--4 management type courses.

 

[bbaquiran]



Anyone still picking up courses for fun / self-development?

I'm halfway through the Johns Hopkins data science specialization on Coursera.

 

[bradp]

I started following a free MIT course on microeconomics a while back. The problem IME is that after a few lectures, it's tough to keep up/stay interested unless you actually buy the book and do homework like the real students in the class.

 

[papa kot]

I tried a few and in my experience it is not the same as going to school or at least having a dedicated on-line program.

First of all, things tend to go at a faster pace at least with the courses I've taken. Secondly, the interaction is only on-line, which kind of sucks if you like to discuss things in person. Finally from what I understand the availability of these courses to everybody cheapen up their appeal because "everybody can do it." It is sort of like offering free hundred dollar bills to the general population: You feel a bit rich, but prices go up because now there is extra money supply.

I will continue taking stuff on Coursera for personal development. Yet, I don't anticipate a huge monetary return on investment in short term.

 

[gettoasty]

I see. I might consider picking up the textbooks... I'm scheduled to taking stuff like operations management and marketing, negotiations, some type of Google class etc. Mostly refreshing some things I learned in school or topics I find myself doing on my day to day schedule at work.

I sort of see it as a glimpse into a MBA program, or at least get my brain jogging again.

I actually have other topics I should be studying for that is applicable now, but find it boring. Hence, I am seeking some alternative source to stay abreast.

 

[papa kot]

I see. I might consider picking up the textbooks... I'm scheduled to taking stuff like operations management and marketing, negotiations, some type of Google class etc. Mostly refreshing some things I learned in school or topics I find myself doing on my day to day schedule at work.

I sort of see it as a glimpse into a MBA program, or at least get my brain jogging again.

I actually have other topics I should be studying for that is applicable now, but find it boring. Hence, I am seeking some alternative source to stay abreast.

With Coursera and some text books you should be good to go. I took the same approach and ended up pursuing an advanced degree in economics. What really helped me was getting my weekends back. Clear up at least 1 day a week for 8-10 hour study and you will be okay.

Good luck.

 

[Matt]

Is anyone else doing Coursera Game Theory 1 from Stanford at present?

 

[bbaquiran]

Nope, but it looks like an interesting course. I hope they run it again next year.

 

[burghler]

No, I was looking at the Game Theory course but chose to do Model Thinking instead - really interesting so far. Also hoping they offer Game Theory again soon.

Going to start one of the Udacity courses (self-paced) on How to Build a Startup.

 

[Matt]

I chose the other way and regretted it by class three (and withdrew at about class 6).

Posted the above at quiz time as I sat there thinking "well this looks nothing like the course material" and hoped someone could bail me out!

Was very much a calculus thing rather than a behavioural approach. I have previously done The Great Courses game theory and really enjoyed it (for the exact opposite reason)

 

[bbaquiran]



I chose the other way and regretted it by class three (and withdrew at about class 6).

Posted the above at quiz time as I sat there thinking "well this looks nothing like the course material" and hoped someone could bail me out!

Was very much a calculus thing rather than a behavioural approach. I have previously done The Great Courses game theory and really enjoyed it (for the exact opposite reason)

The self-paced Competitive Strategy course on Coursera skims game theory, I think. Might be too basic for you, but my non-tech/math co-workers enjoyed it.

I was doing the Great Courses game theory lectures on audio in my car until I got to the point where it didn't make sense without the visuals. I'll have to try it in video soon.