The distance learning meets different needs, today, are shown present in the lives of most people, such as:
- Need for continuing education and constant updating of professional knowledge
- Flexibility of study routine to be able to reconcile professional training with leisure activities and eventual unforeseen circumstances in the work environment
- Acquisition of knowledge in line with the current demands of the labor market, with the possibility of entering the labor market as soon as the course is completed
- Optimization of time invested in academic training, with the possibility of completing a professional course in a few weeks or months
- Affordable and cost-effective options
- Easier access to courses produced by the largest universities in the world, as well as free courses produced by professionals really relevant to their area of expertise
With so many valuable features that can be supplied through distance learning courses, it is natural that this market encourages the emergence of different companies qualified to operate in this niche. Among the different companies that seek to meet the needs found in the online professional courses market, edX is an online course platform that can be considered when you choose an online course platform to invest in your training.
However, as each platform can have its specificities and serve a specific audience, it is important to know its main characteristics in detail before choosing the platform on which to study. And to help you learn about the main features of edX , this article will discuss its main potentials.
How edX courses work
The edX platform was developed by researchers and professors at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), with the aim of broadly sharing advanced vocational courses . Thus, their courses are produced based on the syllabus content of different courses from the aforementioned institutions, made available in different modules of different online courses.
As the partner companies are quite comprehensive in their areas of activity, edX has courses in different areas of interest, such as:
- Architecture
- Art & Culture
- Biology & Natural Sciences
- Computer science
- Communication
- Design
- Economics & Finance
- engineering
- Humanities
- History
- Social Sciences
- Philosophy
- Electronics
- Medicine, among others
To cover all these areas of interest, edX has partner universities that are responsible for producing the courses and structuring the content to be covered, being the responsibility of the edX platform only the hosting of these courses and user experience. Among edX partner universities, we can emphasize the following renowned institutions of higher education:
- Berkeley – University of California
- The University of Texas City
- Australian National University
- Boston University
- Curtin University
- Delft University of Technology
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- University of British Columbia
- Arizona State University
- Princeton University
- Stanford University
- The National University of Singapore
- University of Cambridge
- University of Oxford
In addition to these, there are also other equally renowned universities that offer their courses through partnerships with edX, and you can access the complete list of edX partner universities by visiting the platform’s website.
>>> CLICK HERE and check out all edX Courses
EdX courses are free
Many of the edX platform courses are part of the so-called MOOC courses ( Massive Open Online Courses ), which are usually free for students who follow the classes in the listening mode. However, students who wish to receive a certificate of completion may need to pay the certificate issuing fee after completing the course, although it is not mandatory to apply for a certificate.
In addition, edX also works with courses at higher levels, which require a greater investment for those who wish to take them. Still, edX students have three course pricing options at their disposal:
- Free courses : MOOC courses accessed only in the listener mode
- Low investment courses : MOOC courses with certificate issuance, as well as short professional courses
- Moderate investment courses : specialization courses with more specific content for those who already have professional experience in the area of interest
EdX courses are accredited
Since edX is a company qualified to offer MOOC courses and professional courses in general, edX courses are accredited and their certificates have academic and professional validity. In addition, as edX establishes partnerships with renowned universities for the production of different courses, its certificates also have data from the institution that created the course in question, thus increasing its acceptance with the professional market or even with the academic market.
About the edX Certificate
The edX certificate will be released after the completion of each course , once the student fulfills all the requirements stipulated by the platform. To do this, simply enter your student profile with your access data and look for the option corresponding to the issuance of a certificate. Then just pay the amount for the certificate submission fee, for cases where this process applies, and wait for the certificate to be released by the platform.
EdX pros
As a qualified platform, with partnerships established with world-renowned universities and with MOOC course options, edX tends to be well evaluated in terms of user experience. Still, it is important to highlight the main pros of edX, namely:
- Quality courses for different areas of activity: due to the partnerships that edX establishes with the universities mentioned above, the platform is able to offer courses in different areas of activity without compromising the quality of the service offered. This is certainly one of the most favorable characteristics in the perception of students who seek to invest in their professional training.
- MOOC course options: MOOC courses are an excellent way to invest in professional training with affordable investment. In addition, some courses have the option of attending classes in the listener mode, that is, completely free of charge, as long as you do not request a certificate after completing the course. Thus, you have the option of visiting different courses and investing in the issuance of certificates only for those who consider the investment to be valid.
- Certified courses: receiving a certified certificate from renowned universities can be a great advantage for those seeking qualification to enter the market.
EdX cons
In spite of being a well-regarded platform and positively recognized in the perception of its users, edX also presents cons aspects in the perception of students, of which we can highlight the following:
- Some courses have language limitations: even if some courses have several subtitle options, edX courses are mostly developed in the English language. Thus, people who may not be proficient in this language may be restricted to take certain courses on the platform.
- Some courses can be of high value: as the platform prioritizes the quality of its content and many of its courses seek to satisfy mainly the expectations of the academic public, certain courses can be of high value. To facilitate access even to these exclusive courses, the platform usually divides courses of longer duration into different modules, so that the student can enroll individually in each of the modules, as he deems necessary. For example, a course classified as MicroMasters can have 10 modules, and when the student completes all modules of the program he will have a specific certification (MasterTrack TM certificate, MBA or similar certification, for example). However, as the program can be taken in modules individually, the student will be able to take the interval he deems necessary between one module and another.
- Difficulty navigating the platform: edX seeks to constantly invest in user experience, precisely to make the platform increasingly intuitive and to facilitate the location of the tools most frequently used by its students. However, some people may have difficulty navigating the platform initially, especially people who are not used to taking online courses.
List of 5 edX technology courses to register for today
Despite being a very eclectic platform, covering different areas of knowledge with truly qualified courses, the areas of technology and computer science are visibly well represented through the courses that edX offers. So if you want to study technology at edX, check out the following 5 technology courses on the edX platform that you must register for today.
1 – Introduction to Computer Science and Programming using Python
Produced by MITX (acronym that represents the partnership between MIT and edX), the Introduction to Computer Science and Programming using Python course is one of the best rated courses in the perception of users looking to study programming. As this is an introductory course, naturally the course is aimed more specifically at beginners with little or no knowledge of programming through the Python language. However, it is a complete course, which addresses the main concepts necessary for those who want to learn to program through this comprehensive programming language.
2 – Health Informatics and Technology in Decision Making
Created through a partnership between Doane University and edX, the Health Informatics and Technology in Decision Making course addresses in an extremely relevant way the contributions of technology and computer models applied to health for decision making. Among the different objectives of the course, the following stand out:
- Use computer models to estimate health promotion and prevention measures
- Understand the concept and theoretical bases of this area of knowledge called Health Informatics, as well as understand how this area can positively affect public health and the population in general, when properly applied
- Use information technology to assess how health measures are currently taken
The course is part of the Healthcare Administration MicroMasters program, created by Doane University, which has seven courses in its entirety. So, when you take this course, you complete the first step to complete an online MBA, if it is of interest to you.
3 – Managing Technology & Innovation: How to deal with disruptive change
Program classified as MicroMasters, which aims to prepare you to occupy leadership positions and a notable influence in the corporate environment. Designed to be a complete program to prepare people to use the current resources of the technological world for the benefit of the company, the program develops valuable skills for the market. If you are interested in technology applied to the corporate world, visit the edX platform website and get to know this course.
4 – Information Technology Foundations
Information Technology is certainly an area in constant expansion, since its fundamentals can be properly adapted to practically all areas of activity, having a remarkable relevance in terms of security and productivity in any area that is applied. So, studying Information Technology, or even getting up to date on this area of expertise, will always be a good investment for anyone who has an interest in this area. And the Information Technology Foundations course is an excellent option for those looking to insert themselves in this niche market, as well as for those already inserted and looking to reach high positions.
5 – Design and Development of Educational Technology
The technology applied to education is something that has immeasurable relevance, since more and more tools and methods are available to ensure that the teaching and learning processes are more effective. As science and technology advance, new possibilities in the information technology scenario present themselves and, consequently, the entire market ends up benefiting.
Thinking of offering an option to train professionals who want to work in this segment of the market, MIT developed the course Design and Development of Educational Technology . Coordinated by instructors Eric Klopfer, Scot Osterweil and Judy Perry, the course seeks to synthesize the available knowledge about how we learn what we learn, knowledge that serves as the basis for everything that is developed through the technology of education. Thus, the course addresses the relationship between learning theories and advances in educational technology, emphasizing how technology can be used to facilitate this process.
Conclusion
This article summarizes the main characteristics of the edX platform, highlighting its pros and cons, as well as the student profile that tends to benefit from the courses offered by the platform. As mentioned throughout the article, it is a platform with a remarkable number of courses, developed in partnership with world-renowned universities. In addition to the 5 edX technology courses mentioned above, there are several courses in different fields that you can enroll in today. To learn more, just visit the edX website and choose the ideal course for your professional goals!