OpenCourseWare (OCW)
A Web site that would give away virtually all of MIT’s teaching materials for free: it was an idea that was as straightforward as it was revolutionary.
Since 2000, when an MIT faculty committee on lifelong learning proposed this very idea, MIT OpenCourseWare has grown into an unparalleled educational resource that has benefited millions and inspired a global movement. The site contains the core teaching materials—lecture notes, syllabi, assignments, exams—of more than 2,100 of MIT’s courses: the entire curriculum of the Institute freely available for anyone to use.
To enhance learning and to make course concepts even more understandable, OCW will be adding deeper and richer content across the site, including audio and video modules. New enterprises that further engage the community are under way. OCW Scholar courses are designed to help independent learners who have few additional resources available to them. The Highlights for High School portal, a rich resource for secondary-school teachers, organizes the OCW course materials most applicable to advanced high-school study in physics, calculus, chemistry, and biology.
The cost of free
Providing educational materials on a global scale for free—however beneficial and efficient—is not without cost. Collecting and organizing course components from faculty, reconfiguring them for online learning, organizing them into consistent structures, and clearing any copyright hurdles requires qualified staff and resources. On average, the cost to publish each course is about $10,000.
The Institute seeks the help of organizations and individuals who share the deeply held conviction that unlocking knowledge makes the world a better place. One meaningful way to make an immediate impact is to direct your contribution to the fund listed below.
 | |
|---|---|
| MIT OpenCourseWare | Add to my gift form |
With your help, MIT OCW can continue to set a standard for the world. To discuss a special gift to MIT OpenCourseWare, or for questions, please contact:
Stephen Carson
MIT OCW External Relations Director
(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
617.253.1250
