Monday, January 5, 2015

Review: Online Classes with Coursera and EdX

Since I had some free time, I enrolled and tried out some classes, first with Coursera and then with EdX.

With Coursera, I took An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python at Rice University, Computational Investing, Part I at Georgia Tech (my alma mater), Algorithms: Design and Analysis, Part 1 at Stanford, and Computer Architecture at Princeton.

I finished the Rice Python class (it was fun making Asteroids!) and learned a lot about investing in the Computation Investing class (which was heavy on Python also). I never realized how hedge funds worked, and it was enlightening to use algorithms to find stock trends. I hope Part 2 of this class gets started soon.





The Stanford Algorithms class was the most challenging and required significant effort. I ended up not finishing the Computer Architecture class as my final occurred when I was extremely busy at work. I learned a lot in the Computer Architecture class and may retake it - as an excellent refresher.

I also tried to take a Stanford Cryptography class but realized that I did not have enough time to take the class and do my other work. Some additional time, I will retake it.

I am currently enrolled in another Python class -this one at MIT - called MITx 6.00.1. This is definitely a much more thorough Python class than the one offered at Rice University (but the Rice class was more fun).

Before these, I took some Codecademy classes on Python and Javascript (just for fun). These were easy - even my 12-year-old son completed the Python class.

I am also enrolled in Asset Pricing I at the University of Chicago, but I don't know whether I will have enough time to finish it. I find it all very fascinating - if I only had enough time!


March 19, 2015

I completed the MITx 6.00.1 class with 97% and enrolled in its sequel called MITx 6.00.2