Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. mastery (n.) [mas-tuh-ree] – having a full understanding or expertise in a certain subject matter
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. mastery (n.) [mas-tuh-ree] – having a full understanding or expertise in a certain subject matter
Example: The champion skater frequently practiced
to gain mastery of her jumps and
spins.
2. approach (n.) [uh-prohch] – a
method or a means of accomplishing something
Example: The students enjoy the teacher’s
humorous approach to teaching.
3. laboratory (n.) [lab-ruh-tawr-ee] – a
place for practice, observation or testing
Example: The drug company has laboratories for testing the quality of
medicines.
4. credential (n.) [kri-den-shuhl] –a
document used as evidence of one’s abilities and skills
Example: One’s credentials are always asked to determine if a person is suitable
for a job.
5. augment (v.) [v. awg-ment; n. awg-ment] – to add
something to (something) in order to improve or complete it
Example: Talking to a native English speaker can
augment one’s English skills.
Article
Read the text below.
The
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) will
soon launch M.I.T.x, a new program offering free online courses to people all
over the world. Moreover, anyone who joins the program can get a certificate
upon mastery of a course.
The
new learning approach will be
similar to that used in M.I.T.’s other free online learning service
OpenCourseWare, which the school started 10 years ago. Through
OpenCourseWare, the school is able to post materials from 2,100 courses and
share them to millions of users worldwide.
But
unlike OpenCourseWare, M.I.T.x will adapt a more interactive style of
learning through online laboratories,
self-assessments and student-to-student discussions. According to Anant
Agarwal, director of M.I.T.’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
Lab, students can now use more advanced tools and learn together through an
online community.
At
present, many schools offer online learning programs, but M.I.T.x will be the
first to offer certification to those who complete its courses. Instead of an
M.I.T. degree certificate, however, a credential
will be given to a student to show that he or she has completed a course
within M.I.T.’s non-profit program.
Although
the courses will be free, students may be charged a small fee for
credentials. School officials said any profit earned will be used to fund
M.I.T.x.
The
school also mentioned that M.I.T.x may benefit not only online learners all
over the world, but also MIT’s on-campus students, who can use the online
tools to augment their experiences in classrooms and
laboratories.
M.I.T.
hopes that the program may also inspire other universities to offer their own
free online courses.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
Why
do you think online classes are becoming popular nowadays?
·
Do
you think online courses can replace formal education in schools? Why or why
not?
Discussion B
·
Which
would you prefer: studying with other people or doing self-study? Please
explain your answer.
·
What
would most likely be your reason if you were to enroll in M.I.T.x or in a
similar online class?