MIT to build online education platform
MIT is developing an online educational platform that will be open-source, largely free, and let users outside of MIT earn certificates for completing Institute-caliber courses online. MIT hopes the initiative, internally dubbed “MITx,” will change the way students learn on-campus — by incorporating elements of MITx into existing curricula — and push MIT’s educational reach beyond campus borders in a way the current OpenCourseWare (OCW) cannot.
The frosh are coming! 680 admitted early to Class of 2016
680 of 6,008 Early Action applications (11.3 percent) received an early holiday present when they were admitted to the Class of 2016 on Dec. 17, 2011. 3,731 applicants (62.1 percent) were deferred to Regular Action while 1,308 students (21.8 percent) were not offered admission. 289 students withdrew or did not complete their application.
Phyo Kyaw ’10 killed by truck in traffic accident
Phyo N. Kyaw ’10, 23, was killed on Dec. 27 after he was hit by a truck while riding his bicycle at the intersection of Vassar Street and Massachusetts Avenue.
Mass Ave./Vassar St. intersection a deadly hazard
CAMBRIDGE — As the traffic signal turned red Friday morning, Marcia Pearson paused her lavender bicycle in the middle of Vassar Street.
MITx vs. OCW
MITx differs from OpenCourseWare (OCW) in several important ways, but there is the possibility of confusing the two. Here’s a breakdown of what MITx is and what it isn’t, and how it compares to OCW.
Weapon caused spacecraft’s failure?
MOSCOW — A Russian scientific spacecraft whizzing out of control around the Earth, and expected to re-enter the atmosphere on Saturday, may have failed because it was struck by some type of anti-satellite weapon, the director of Russia’s space agency said in an interview published Tuesday.
Can an MIT professor save the USPS?
With the United States Postal Service (USPS) on the verge of eliminating 35,000 jobs to avoid bankruptcy, government officials are desperately seeking solutions to avert the crisis. MIT might have one. In the coming months, MIT Professor and the holder of the first copyright to “EMAIL,” Shiva Ayyadurai will be working on a proposal that will investigate how the USPS could save thousands of jobs by entering the email management industry .
MITx is beginning of sweeping new online push
MIT is developing an online educational platform that will be open-sour, largely free, and let users outside of MIT earn certificates for completing Institute-caliber courses online. MIT hopes the initiative, internally dubbed "MITx" will change the way students learn on-campus — by incorporating elements of MITx into existing curricula — and push MIT's educational reach beyond campus borders in a way the current OpenCourseWare (OCW) cannot.
MIT 2010 alum killed in traffic accident
Phyo Kyaw ’10, 23, was killed last night after he was struck by a truck while riding his bicycle at the intersection of Vassar St. and Massachusetts Ave.
Walker Memorial’s future is unknown
The future of Walker Memorial remains a mystery to administrators and student groups alike. In October 2010, members of the administration, including Associate Provost Martin A. Schmidt PhD ’88, announced that plans were in the works to assess the feasibility of a project to repurpose and restore Walker Memorial for use by the Music and Theater Arts department (MTA). Although progress has been made on the project over the summer and this past semester, there is no clear end in sight.
Woof! Puppies to invade campus
If you find yourself in finals week distress, MIT Libraries hopes to help you de-stress with its upcoming “Cookies with Canines” study breaks.
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK Occupy protesters make last stand Thursday
Over 1,000 Occupy protesters gathered for one last stand at Dewey Square on Thursday — making it clear that they would not be deterred Mayor Menino’s notice that after midnight, protesters in the area would be subject to “arrest and criminal prosecution,” according to the Boston Herald.
2.009 projects are ‘on the go,’ mobilizing the world
On Monday Dec. 12, students in 2.009, Product Engineering Processes, presented their final projects to an overflowing Kresge Auditorium. Students worked in assigned teams of 11 to 13 people throughout the semester to develop ideas, design products, and build prototypes related to the “on the go” theme. Each had a $6,500 budget and help from professors and shop instructors as they refined their projects. Eight teams presented during the event, which included live music and audience involvement. Eight-minute presentations were followed by five minutes of audience questions.
Alleged assault and battery in Tang Hall
On Sunday morning, a female resident of Tang Hall reported that an unknown male entered her bedroom, attempted to hold her down on the bed, and asked repeatedly for a kiss, according to MIT Police.
Triple homicide in Cambridge
An investigation is under way for a triple homicide followed by a suicide that occurred in Cambridge on Friday, Dec. 9. At 6:40 p.m., police responded to reports of gunshots at a home on Grove Street (North Cambridge), where they discovered three deceased victims. A man was reportedly seen leaving the scene in a white Toyota Camry. After heavily armed police officers searched for several hours, the suspect’s body was found at 10 p.m. along the river at 1400 Soldiers Field Road, near the Brighton State Police Barracks. The suspect apparently died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Students head off to varied externships
When Celena Chan ’12 applied for her externship with Bank of America Merrill Lynch last year, she was looking for some real world experience and a look into the professional world.
MIT fined $125k for shipping unlabled hazardous materials
MIT has paid the Federal Aviation Administration a $125,000 fine for failure to properly label hazardous materials shipped through Federal Express that resulted in a fire on Aug. 25, 2009.