The debate over the value of education as it applies to success in
the entrepreneurial world is as varied as it is passionate. Some say
that classroom learning is an integral part of real-world application.
Others say that you learn nothing studying theory, and that the only
education worth acquiring is from the school of hard knocks.
New opportunities, however, may make the debate obsolete. With the
advent of free online courses from some of the country’s top
universities available online, you can quench your thirst for greater
knowledge, without committing to full time schooling or lifetime debt.
Can’t get an MBA from MIT or Stanford? Don’t worry — you don’t really
need one of those anyway. Now you can study the same great content from
big-time biz schools on your own schedule, and stay focused on building
the world’s next great tech company.
Here are 10 places to get a free education:
1. MIT
Get access to nearly every class taught at America’s best math
institution, not to mention one of the nation’s top MBA programs. Tests,
readings, and lecture notes are available for classes like Managerial
Psychology and Law
for Entrepreneurs.
Berkely is America’s top-rated public school, with a long tradition
of activism and kicking ass. Their webcast system is similarly rocking,
providing video and podcast versions of many of their classes (such as Computer
Science 102).
Though Yale has some great content, only introductory material is
offered here. That means you may spend less time delving into depthful
matters of management, and more time brushing up on Dante
or Pompeiian
Villas.
More video — but less materials and selection — make Harvard’s open
education offerings (such as Intensive
Introduction to Computer Science) better for browsing than
targeted learning.
Some good content offered, such as Producing Films for Social Change
or Intellectual Development.
The only downside is that you’ll probably quickly run out of courses
unless, oddly enough, you have a driving interest in veterinary sciences
(and, I mean, who doesn’t?)
Information from the proclaimed ‘best business school in America.’
There are articles, podcasts, and special reports available… plus their
own Knowledge@Wharton
iTunes section.
Podcasts and class information from one of the US’s best
universities. Listen to lectures is classes like “Entrepreneurial
Thought Leaders” and “Social Entrepreneurship” without leaving iTunes.
Classes in Visual
Communication Design (sweet!) and Empirical
Research Methods highlight these offerings. Best of all, the system
is designed to guide learners through real courses, rather than just
providing information.
9. Utah State
A less-prestigious university, but a more-robust list of online free
education resources. Courses like Learn
and Apply HTML and Blogs,
Wiki, New Media for Learning are available.
10. UC Irvine
UC Irvine can get a little ‘crunchy,’ but there’s good content here,
including courses on Fundamentals of
Business Analysis and Introduction to
Project Management.
Honorable Mentions: