Learn something new

[Daemonic Daz]

Greetings EFUers,

You've probably noticed my time about IRC/IG is often limited these days which is something I'm both sad and happy about. Sad that I'm not about to watch you all create amazing stories, happy that I'm using my time elsewhere to learn about things I love to immerse myself in.

One of the things I done last year was take part in one of Stanford's Distributed Education experiments which was titled "An Introduction to Artificial Intelligence". It was taught by two professors of the field and offered individuals of any discipline to take part, at the end of the course all who completed the course received a statement of accomplishment digitally signed by the two professors themselves. Over 20,000 people around the world completed the course.

In turn, one of the Stanford professors resigned his post and is continuing the push into Distributed Education by co-founding a company called Udacity, its goal to offer University-Level education of high-quality and low-cost. Right now this month, it is offering two courses this month for free, one for those with no programming experience to gain a firm foundation in programming and learn how to create a search engine, another for those with programming experience to learn the concepts of how to program their own robotic car within a programming environment.

Why I'm I telling you this? My previous experience with Distributed Education was a positive one and I believe it is a opportunity that should not be missed. Part of my degree I am working towards had a large emphasis on A.I and I found the course to highly compliment my degree. Therefore I'd highly encourage anyone with some time on their hands or are looking for their next challenge to take up one of the classes.

The website offering this fantastic opportunity is:

http://www.udacity.com/

Also this is a news article regarding Professor Thrun, detailing some of his accomplishments and his decision to push into Distributed Education.

http://allthingsd.com/20120125/watch-sebastian-thrun-leaves-stanford-to-teach-online/

EDIT3: Another article about Distributed Education I found in one of my national papers http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/feb/05/desktop-degree-stanford-university-naughton

Perhaps if enough people take part I might even be inclined to create some nice loot for the best student of each class.

EDIT: Due to a positive initial response on IRC, I'd love anyone who is serious about taking ether class to post their interest here. If enough people take the class, I'd be more than happy to setup a group on the forums and a IRC room on darkmyst for intellectual chat and Q&A.

EDIT2: Both modules will be using the programming language python as the programming language of choice, if you are taking the introductory programming module then don't worry too much about this. Anyone else who is taking the more experienced module should probably take a little look at the python language if they don't know it so they can get to grips with it. If enough people join up to warrant the creation of a group I'll post up some python resources for your use.

[sylvyrdragon]

I signed up today.  If I get nothing else out of this, at least I will have learned something about this thing I spend so much of my life with.

[MrCrafty]

Great stuff. Thank you. Time for some learning.

[MrGrendel]

Signed up. Everyone should do this.

[Lenthis]

I guess I may as well sign up to!
The possibility of free loot, and a free collage level class :O
To good to be true.

[Spiffy Has]

Planning to at the University!

I am going to get that DM loot!

[Legacy]

Oh my god, an artificial intelligence has manifested itself as Daz and is using his account to enroll people into a class centered around its wide-spread procreation!

Though seriously, I found the Stanford classes to be pretty neat other than the fact that a lot of the Professor's material would be censored out due to some copy-rights BS when not "officially" enrolled.  Definitely going to jump aboard this, maybe, if I can fit it within the confines of my current classes.

edit: Oh shet, a professor from UVA is teaching a class. Sweet balls!

[xxWhisperingWindsxx]

Enrolled :)

Maybe this will actually get me off my butt to learn this stuff (like I've been talking about doing for years).

[Daemonic Daz]

Little bump for this. Classes will be starting in approximately 8 days and enrolment wont close until the first homework assignment is closed on the 28th.

I'll start putting together the group for interested people in the next week.

[Porkolt]

I enrolled. Excellent stuff.

[MexicanGunslinger]

I signed up for the search engine one.

[Daemonic Daz]

I've added those who have enrolled to the "Udacity Learning" forum. If anyone can't access it or others want to jump on board then don't be afraid. Mention it here!

[tropic]

I wish someone had directed me to this book when I started studying Comp Sci. It's not highly practical, but it may help with a conceptual understanding of programming (and it's free online!)

[Jasede]

Go ahead and add me; I don't play anymore but learning is always good and I haven't been doing anything intellectual in way too long.

Unless shit-talking counts...
In the spirit of shit-talking, I haven't touched Python in... six years but signed up for the car one. It's an intuitive language, so let's hope for the best.

[Chromatic]

Signed up for the search engine.