By Angelina Li
Years ago, students far and wide were shipped via family cars or minivans to educational institutions, such as Kumon (the happiest place on Earth), RSM (Russian School of Mathematics), and more.
Today, students far and wide are still thrust into such learning centers. However, with the onset of immersive, highly effective online education platforms, more students are able to boost their academic success in easy-to-access ways.
While online courses are not devoid of flaws, it is valuable to highlight the benefits of such innovative education. Listed below are online educational platforms that have been personally used by the writer of this blog.
Founded by MIT and Harvard scientists, edX launched in 2012 as an online education platform “grounded in cutting edge cognitive science,” following the key principles of experience, practice, and application (edX). edX courses vary from STEM to humanities, including but not limited to chemical engineering, quantum computing, Epidemics, and for all the theater geeks, Shakespeare.
edX courses are unique in that users have the ability to take free, online courses to boost their general knowledge. By paying a fee and becoming a student on a verified track, a user can receive a certificate of completion for a cost of $50 to $100. Harvard’s CS50 Introductory Computer Science course costs users $90 to join the verified track for the goal of a verified certificate (Business Insider).
By offering both free and paid courses from accredited institutions such as Stanford and Harvard, edX thus bridges the gap between prestigious education and the general public.
User Review: Free edX courses are beneficial for college applicants in helping them decide which major to apply to. For example, Stanford Online’s American Poverty and Inequality course provided valuable insight into the field of sociology. edX courses are straightforward but still require dedication for completion.
Khan Academy is dedicated to offering “free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere (Khan Academy). Through instructional videos paired with practice exercises, Khan Academy organizes each user’s learning experience in a personalized learning dashboard that emphasizes “skill mastery to help learners establish strong foundations” (Khan Academy).
Khan Academy offers courses in core subjects (including math, science, and history) as well as test preparation for APs, SAT, Praxis, and LSAT.
By providing a hub of different levels of courses for students, Khan Academy bolsters academic success by providing support to students who may need additional help in their regular coursework or want to get a headstart.
User Review: Khan Academy is the saving grace for SAT prep; use the practice problems and tests to your full advantage. The site is also great for AP prep, especially getting a larger picture for tedious, reading-heavy subjects such as APUSH.
UC Scout provides A-G-approved online classes and curriculums for students around the world, partnering with UC Santa Cruz (UC Scout). Courses range from electives to AP, with educational videos, practice problems, and graded exams.
UC Scout offers two tracks: basic and on-demand. The basic plan does not offer students course credit for their school transcripts but still provides (ungraded) supplementary coursework. This plan is free for those residing in California and attending public school but costs $29 for any private or out-of-state student.
On-Demand provides students with credits by passing courses including “pre-recorded video lectures, assignments, tests, quizzes, midterm, and final exams.” The On-Demand course costs $399, with work graded by teachers with appropriate California credentials.
User Review: UC Scout is a fast and easy way to boost transcripts. While the work may be tedious. they are graded relatively easily. The midterm and finals are straightforward, at least for the Law and Society course. The course can be completed in a few weeks, but the course gives ample time for students who want to complete it in a more spaced-out fashion.
Conclusion
edX, Khan Academy, and UC Scout are all wonderful platforms for learning online. Each has their own benefits, and it is up to each user to decide which learning experience will benefit them the best.
Or, for those who want to make an impact and bring accessible education to others, online educational platforms also offer internships and jobs that are wonderful additions to applications and resumes.
In the era of online education, it is vital to know what is out there and tackle learning head-on.
Works Cited
“Build New Skills. Advance Your Career.” edX, www.edx.org/. Accessed 10 July 2023.
“Free Online Courses, Lessons & Practice.” Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/. Accessed 10 July 2023.
Leighton, Mara. “Why Edx, a Learning Platform Founded by Harvard and MIT, Should Be Your Go-to for Free and Affordable Career Development.” Business Insider, www.businessinsider.com/guides/learning/edx-overview-faq#:~:text=edX’s%20courses%20are%20technically%20free,course%20and%20unlimited%20course%
20access. Accessed 10 July 2023.
UC Scout, www.ucscout.org/about/. Accessed 10 July 2023.
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