Continuing Education Online

I too am remote from attendable classes. I have seen/heard of some good on-line resources, but I'm spacing out on account of not being able to pursue them easily. (Or maybe my callow 61 is about to crash into senility?) I apologize for the lack of concrete suggestions, and I will try to look around; but above all, kudos for your explorations!

Where are you trying to go with this? Technical or consulting role? Personal curiosity? Rounding out a life of prior knowledge with some engaging wrinkles? There could be many good ways to go, even a divergence into music, art, writing, etc.

Its the types of classes, I feel that some do need lab work, especially in a technical field. At what level classes? Something that is accredited to be able to apply to a Bachelors or Master, or do you just want to learn?

I myself am taking courses, somewhat modified, online and class room at ITT and am looking forward to it.

We are fortunate to have a campus in our town. And where we a Phoenix campus just 20 miles away.

Funny thing is, and I believe its because of the poor economy, a few universes I never heard about opened up here in our town as well in just 2 short years. Rasmussen, and Globe?

p911

where in the world are you?

My reason for the classes is that I am working on an idea that requires knowledge of thermal and fluid dynamics as well as electric generation. I could farm out the knowledge to someone else but then where would all the fun go? The sense of accomplishment is doing the project yourself(entirely). The project is an idea I have been pursuing for a few months now and expect that it will take a couple of more years before I have a working prototype. I live in the beautiful southern part of Spartanburg County in SC. We have many colleges here( Wofford for instance) and none of them have what I need, unless of course I drive to their campus which is 1 1/2 hours away(Clemson). I would love to complete my Masters in engineering but doubt if that is practical at my age. My wife would just not understand. I have spent my entire life learning something at each stage and I just can't stop now. Learning is a lifelong exercise.

do they have open university in usa where you can study at home

its quite large in the uk

Maybe the knowledge you require may not have to be pickup in the class room.

The project you are working on, you may already have an idea what you need to know or find out.

Your local library has books. or this this is a great site with engineering free references on a wide spectrum I believe Abdel Halim Galala is the one I have to thank for showing us this.

p911

Learning what I need to know as I go along is what I have been doing. It is a slow process. The more I learn the more I want to know, that is the conundrum. It may well have to stay that way.

If you are willing to describe your idea here on CR4, I bet you could pick up a pretty good education on the disciplines you describe. (Both hands-on style and theoretical.) There are some pretty high-caliber heat exchange and electrical practitioners around here...especially if you need ideas rather than credentials.

Dear Gene, I appreciate all CR4 members sincere efforts to promote engineering among the practicing engineers in the world. Experienced & matured engineers are source of inspiration to young engineers who are practicing engineering as a profession around the world. I am of the opinion that CR4 members to check the feasibility of compiling brief notes on basic engineering subjects like thermodynamics,heat transfer, applied mechanics, engineering maths ,fluid mechanics etc for the benefit of engineers irrespective of their specialization. We find applications of these subjects in most of day today problems. I can contribute as much as possible in thermodynamics and heat transfer as these are my favorite subjects. The notes need not be an academic oriented one .It should be a ready made one for practicing engineers to quickly review the subjects and apply it on actual field works. Your comment is welcome. Regards,Rams

I am in full support of your concept of reducing some of the better ideas and threads, especially those of a technical nature, into "compiled notebooks". There is a wealth of information on a variety of subjects being shared here. Trying to search the archives for pertinent information, especially when one is not versed in the jargon of the particular field of interest, can be a daunting task. Furthermore, not all pertinent threads are necessarily classified in the correct category. However, having been personally involved in the task of "condensing" one particular thread into a coherent package, I can say that trying to extract and condense appropriate information from these threads is an even more daunting (and time-consuming) task than a random search...

I'll bet you could get by with a tutor.

The math and thermal material sound like you could do well with an engineer at utility powerhouse.

Here's how I would approach it call the utility and ask to speak with an engineer about your Grand kids science fair project. or neighbor kids or who ever? once you get a name, maybe take the kid over for a tour.

While you are there, ask the engineer if he knows anybody that could tutor a couple of hours a week on these subjects.

You might also get some help from a grad student at clemson, advertise for a tutor there, and pay them to drive the distance...

milo

Michael,

Since you live within the vacinity of both of these strong, distinguished, engineering focused institutions, it might be worth a look-see. I have included some links for your convenience. Check them out and let me know what you think.

Z

http://distance.ncsu.edu/

http://odce.clemson.edu/online/

Check the courses offered by MIT's open university.

Many Indian Universities are offering distance education courses that are very low priced. Try this: www.ignou.ac.in/ . All the best!

MIT Open Courseware.

http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/home/index.htm

On your favourite search engine type MIT OCW.

(or Massachusetts Institute of Technology Open Course Ware).

There are many many maths, physics, engineering courses - full course materials - all exams, assignments, solutions etc (and in many cases full video lectures - something like 31 hours of lectures per course) from best lecturers in the world. All free. Make sure you watch some of Walter Lewin's physics lectures - unbelievable.

Somebody wrote on the site "It's like I found $40,000 on a park bench."

Hope you find what you're after there.

A lot of universities and colleges, along with people who are experienced teachers are posting videos on YouTube. Fluids and calculus are two of many subjects covered.

I find them helpful.

Too bad you are not in Georgia. The university system here as well as the one in North Carolina both offer free classroom instruction to seniors (over 60). If I find an online course, I will let you know. Keep the mind active. It is a major resource that so many of us seniors let die.

I have used other threads on CR4 to gain knowledge on specific subjects related to my 'project'. That has been very helpful. I get suggestions or partial answers that lead to new avenues of research and viola! I get closer to my goal. The resources on this site seem to be endless and I am the willing and thankful beneficiary of them. I will be sharing parts of my project from time to time as need arises for more information. I am going to contact MIT and Clemson. The first for courses and the second for a grad student who would be willing to help. I am also going to search you tube for my calculus review.

You are well on your way.

Yay Team.

milo

You should be able to find a grad student at Clemson. With the cuts in stipends to the T.A.'s at the university, some of them are having to pick up co-op assignments or internships to cover their expenses, as well as outside jobs.

Check this link my friend, http://www.youtube.com/education?b=400

You will find courses for various sciences. Believe me, it is very usefull!!

Best regards,

Nikolas

Well, I am 90 minutes into my calculus review. What a hoot! And to think that I thought I had forgotten all that stuff. No way. Thanks guys!!!

Michael, which web site are you using? That info may be valuable to others who wish to do as you are doing.

Many universities, including MIT now have opened their notes, lectures etc for free use on the web. Google "open courseware". Also if you want a calculus review try "allabout.com' or just google calculus. There is tons of self educational material out there.

There appears to be 'many' calculus youtube videos. I am watching one by khanacademy. I suppose if you go to youtube and key in kahnacademy it will take you to their course offerings. Right now I am reviewing derivatives. His first few in this series are somewhat inept as he is learning to use a light pen and it keeps screwing up. By video 6 or 7 he has it mastered. This is the first one I tried and just stayed with him.

15-20 years ago I looked at online degrees pertaining to engineering, some were good, but one Kennedy-Western that at first I looked into, but felt, that as a online engineering program it gave to much away plus they just kept pestering me. I didn't feel good about it and I told them to take a hike, and my gut feeling was correct, it was a diploma mill.

p911

Unfortunately, Rensselaer Polytechnic is no longer offering distance learning. All of their programs are being phased out and will be completely gone within 3 years.