Stanford Online Learning for Computer Science Starts February 2012

[tranche]

It looks like you can still signup for Stanford's online courses which start in February. I'm going to give the Human-Computer Interaction class a whirl. I've heard really good things about these classes, though this will be my first.

Below is the link to CS 101 but at the bottom of the page is a list of their other offerings:

http://www.cs101-class.org/

The other classes include:

CS 101
Machine Learning
Software as a Service
Human-Computer Interaction
Natural Language Processing
Game Theory
Probabilistic Graphical Models
Cryptography Design and Analysis of Algorithms I
Computer Security

Looks like a great way to learn something new or to brush up on long ago learned skills.

[DaveJ]

1. I'm confused. What are the enrollment requirements?

I thought one had to be a super high achiever to take classes at Stanford. Or do these classes not include a degree?
Oh, I get it, to answer my own question, the page says:

Will I get university credit for taking this course?
No.

Hmm. I guess a little elitism is still alive and well. It might also be worthwhile considering classes that lead to some kind of degree or certification.

Edit: I did notice the class is FREE. That's pretty awesome!

[tranche]

2. These are free classes not for credit.

I realize you answered your own question in the body of your post, I just wanted to have the information tacked on as a reply to your comment.

I've heard really good things about these classes. They are real classes conducted by real Stanford professors. It's an experiment in open learning. MIT, and other major universities are offering the same type classes. It's actually a great time for learning if you have the time, interest, and an internet connection.

[2Design]

4. Do you know how to sign up for the MIT ones?

how do you search for classes and sign up?

[tranche]

6. MIT Open Courseware & Yale Open Courses

Here's a couple places to look. I'm not sure how closely they correspond to the Standford approach in that they are open lectures, which can't be a bad thing:

MIT Open Courseware
http://ocw.mit.edu/

Open Yale Courses
http://oyc.yale.edu/

[TBA]

3. Just signed up for Human-Computer Interaction

I am a programmer tired of the lack of attention paid to usability. Too many UIs are data-centric in design and too many programmers could not care less about the user's experience.

So much crap out there. The app I'm working on now is no exception (sadly). All of my UX suggestions fall on deaf ears.

Anyone know of a .NET/C#/MVC position in Colorado?

[tranche]

7. Great! I'll see in you class ;)

[TBA]

8. Have you been told when it starts?

The listing says January and they would email. But I've not received an email yet even though I signed up.

[tranche]

9. Starts January 30

Start date is on its site: http://www.hci-class.org/

You should have gotten an introductory email from [e-mail] with the subject line: Human-Computer Interaction Registration.

Looks like there's some time left before class, so I'm expecting the email to come sometime over the next week or so.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

11. Great post and I agree completely about the lack of attention paid to usability

I've moved into more of a solution architect role (I'm a hybrid business analyst/PM/process analyst/software engineer), but it drives me absolutely NUTS that so little time is spent looking at a user's experience when interacting with a system.

If I'm managing a project with a lot of engineers, I'll bring in some "real" users from within the organization and pair them up for some informal testing of the alpha product. Using TeamViewer, the programmers watch the user fumble around in their program. It's amusing to watch the developers' "perfect" application blow up as the users try to figure out how to use the app. Having a well normalized data model and a tight object model doesn't translate into good UIs.

[TBA]

12. What a great idea.

The team pairing - so simple yet effective. I assume the developers are not allowed to offer any help.

I think I am going to ask for this at work on my current project.

Another gripe - my company has hired an instructional designer to create training materials to accompany the new app we are developing.

Manuals - books -

No custom software app developed to facillitate a known business process should require a manual!!!!! Jesus. How to use the damn thing should be obvious.

It seems that every time I mention my profession I get told how some custom app someone uses at work is hard to use and nonsensical.

oy vey...

[2Design]

5. thank you for posting this

[TBA]

10. Stanford Online Courses Postponed, Not Cancelled

http://www.i-programmer.info/news/150-training-a-education/3683-stanford-online-courses-postponed-not-cancelled.html