Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

I think Wikipedia is a good starting point for education if we have will and wisdom to pursue further.


It is, but some things need teachers, or at least slides and tutorials, instead of encyclopedia articles. If I had to learn linear algebra from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_algebra, I wouldn't have gotten nearly as far as I did with Math 54 in college.


Slides? Seriously?


Wikipedia can only help if you know what you want to study and know how to move around finding information. For a lot of people in the third world this is not the case. They need mentors and guidance more than the material and information.


Yes, and to add the things a university is supposed to have, they've started Wikiversity: http://en.wikiversity.org


Sure, using and creating/improving open teaching material (wiki{pedia/versity}...)should be one major disrupting point in such a university.

But even online you can't neglet two kinds of human interactions: with teachers (much greater level in a field, can play as role models, etc...) and with students. I'm pretty sure they are important while learning! Like irc/online communities, it can be less intense if you don't end up meeting, but i think it's an integral part of learning.


Wikipedia in an encyclopedia, not a tutorial. Its articles are long and well written, but neither complete nor geared towards teaching. Myself, no matter what subject I always go first to wikipedia, but if I want to actually learn something I always google it afterwards.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: