Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have shared the content of 12 of their photography courses online for free access under a creative commons license.
According to DPReview MIT are inviting enthusiasts to access the courses via MIT’s Open Course Ware, and self learn entire modules. Provided are entire syallbuses including lesson plan guidance, reference materials, reading lists, projects and course notes. DPReview reports that so far:
Currently materials from twelve courses are available to the public, including ‘Photography and Truth’, ‘Documentary Photography and Photojournalism: Still Images of a World in Motion’, ‘Sensing Place: Photography as Inquiry and Introduction to Photography‘.
Two further courses, ‘Strobe Project Laboratory’ and ‘Computational Camera and Photography’ have been prepared and will be added shortly.
With free online university modules exploading in popularity learning from the pros, without forking out heaps of cash, has never been easier. Although you cannot receive course credit, or interact with the course leaders, interested learners can get close to the same level of depth and insight as they would in the classroom if they put in the recommended study time. The only thing holding camera fans back will be the discipline to sit down each week to watch the video lecture.
Have you ever done an online learning module? What course would you take?