2023-2022 MIT Open Learning Impact Report

Thank you

I’m delighted to share the efforts of my colleagues to keep Open Learning at the forefront of educational innovation this past year. They work tirelessly to harness tools like artificial intelligence, multimedia, and augmented and virtual reality to provide opportunities for profound learning and innovative teaching. The energy and enthusiasm from our collaborating MIT faculty, instructors, and staff are phenomenal as they improve learning effectiveness, enhance teacher training, and refine learner assessments to sustain and propel our efforts forward.

The past academic year has been a proving ground for putting MIT research, experiments, and learning design into actionable practice and curricula to ultimately meet challenges in the world. We want all of our students and learners to succeed, and by employing multiple approaches, we’re able to see and apply what works and to pivot to reach that goal as needed.

And as technology continues to evolve, we’re right there adapting, learning, and actively taking part in shaping its uses for educational advancement. This endeavor can only be successful through your use, your feedback, and your support. A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who is part of our community and journey to keep opening learning to the world.

Yours in learning,
Eric

Image of Eric Grimson
Eric Grimson
Interim Vice President for Open Learning
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Chancellor for Academic Advancement
Bernard Gordon Professor of Medical Engineering
Professor of Computer Science
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT values banner with the worlds openness and respect
Photo: Jake Belcher

          

 

Harnessing AI for Educational Advancement

Digital tools have long been part of MIT’s on-campus teaching. From automated grading and online assessments to learner controlled animations, simulations, and group annotations, these technologies have helped improve teaching and learning experiences both online and in person. And as new technologies evolve, Open Learning is in step with the latest pedagogical developments to support integrating them into curricula so that even the youngest of learners can take advantage of these tools.

photo of young students sitting together at a desk

AI literacy, explained

Now that AI is shaping nearly every aspect of our lives and is expected to transform fields from medicine to agriculture to policing, what do students need to understand about AI to be prepared for the world of work?

Learn how AI works

Image of students and a teacher at a computer

Chat GPT and what it means for students

The MIT RAISE team published a new Day of AI curriculum to help educators introduce their students to the basics of ChatGPT.

Learn more about the curriculum

students in a classroom sitting at a table face a teacher who is sitting on the desk

Societal impacts of artificial intelligence

The Day of AI curriculum weaves ethical, social, and policy considerations throughout technical explanations and fosters discussion on the “Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights.” 

Learn more about the discussion

photo of students holding up hand printed shirts
Photo: Katherine Ouellette

Empowering Cambridge youth through data activism

Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program and RAISE developed the six-week Data Activism curriculum to equip students with critical-thinking skills so they feel prepared to utilize data science to challenge social injustice and empower their community.

Learn about data activism

Two female middle school students standing in the chambers of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate
Photo: Tim Correira Photography

Day of AI curriculum meets the moment

Global participation in MIT RAISE’s free K-12 program more than doubles in its second year.

Learn about this transformational day

teachers participated
countries represented
students reached worldwide

"Generative AI will change how we teach what a problem is and what problem-solving is. It'll change what we think a question is. The very definition of what is a question and what is an answer are on the table and I think are worth scrutinizing. And that also requires thinking about what kinds of evidence we trust, what answers we trust, and what it takes to convince us."

—Christopher Capozzola, Senior Associate Dean for Open Learning

"It’s been a year of extraordinary advancements in AI, and with that comes necessary conversations and concerns about who and what this technology is for. With our Day of AI events, we want to celebrate the teachers and students who are putting in the work to make sure that AI is for everyone."

—Cynthia Breazeal, director of RAISE, dean for digital learning at MIT, head of the MIT Media Lab’s Personal Robots research group

          

 

Empowering
Teachers

IMMERSIVE TRAINING INNOVATION IN THE CLASSROOM HE MADE LINEAR ALGEBRA FUN
fsa

Immersive training program at MIT encourages educators to go “full STEAM ahead” with innovative learning projects

Enrichment opportunity offers space to thoughtfully explore new teaching methodologies.

Learn more about the training

Innovation in the classroom

MIT’s Residential Education group fuels faculty ingenuity and student engagement.

Learn more about the innovations
res

Math Fans Join Live Sendoff for Gil Strang

Revered mathematics professor Gilbert Strang capped a 61-year career as a faculty member at MIT by delivering his final lecture before retiring at the age of 88.

Watch his last lecture
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Educators and teachers can deliver excellent learning experiences when they have opportunities to experiment, gain feedback on their teaching, and are given tools to enhance their classes. These instructors change the lives and future careers of their students forever. Open Learning supports and advocates for teachers and their training, creativity, and innovation.

one male and two female instructors working with paper materials

Immersive training

Immersive training program at MIT encourages educators to go “full STEAM ahead” with innovative learning projects.

Learn about the training

MIT instructor writing on a light board

Innovation in the classroom

MIT’s Residential Education group fuels faculty ingenuity and student engagement.

Learn about the innovations

photo of Gil Strang walking into a lecture hall

He made linear algebra fun

Revered mathematics professor Gilbert Strang capped a 61-year career as a faculty member at MIT by delivering his final lecture before retiring at the age of 88.

Watch his last lecture

“Teachers need to be comfortable with testing their ideas, but they need a safe space to do it and a community of support. Full STEAM Ahead Educators Immersion Program (FSAEIP) provided that. In our work, we are committed to addressing two types of divides: access to digital technologies and access to powerful learning and support. By providing access to materials kits, curriculum, and support through tutoring and mentorship, our programs aim to close those divides.”

—Claudia Urrea, senior associate director, Full STEAM Ahead and strategic & research initiatives

cases of innovative teaching practices at MIT
winners of the 2023 Teaching with Digital Technology Awards
student nominations for Teaching with Digital Technology Awards

          

Opening worlds of knowledge

We believe that education is a powerful tool in opening up worlds of knowledge, achievement, and possibilities. From students who are inspired by our free and open resources to effect positive change in their communities to faculty who are concerned with the mental wellness and learning effectiveness of their students, we know learning provides life altering opportunities. These are some of the stories that reflect the power of learning.

female and male student sitting at a table

MIT Integrated Learning Initiative research update

Four projects investigating learning effectiveness share their progress.

Read their initial findings

illustration of young students witha laptop and a teacher standing at a desk

Teenager teaches others

After being inspired by MIT OpenCourseWare and MITx to learn computer programming, this teenager pays it forward to his community.

Read his story

photo of young black people all with their thumbs up

Migration Summit 2023 advances global dialogue on migration

Building community to co-create pathways for learning, livelihood, and dignity, the 2023 Migration Summit gathered thousands of people.

Learn about the month-long convening

Enabling advanced studies in Turkey with MIT OpenCourseWare

Study group of medical students in Turkey uses free MIT resources to pursue a PhD-level research agenda.

Learn how they did it

MIT OCW - Ege University Faculty of Medicine in Turkey 2
Photo courtesy of İleri Çalışmalar

Introducing interventions that help online learners

Digital Learning Postdoctoral Associate's research focused on ways to improve learners’ metacognitive skills and performance.

Learn more about her research

two women facing a computer monitor
Photo: DragonImages on iStock

From open access to educational equity: An HBCU+MERLOT+MIT OCW collaboration

MIT OpenCourseWare begins a collaboration with a network of US-based Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) who are adopting and adapting Open Educational Resources to improve the educational opportunities of their students.

Learn more about their work

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Photo: C. McIntosh Photo
MITx Massive Open Online Course learners
registered learners on MIT Open
total Open Learning Library learners from 228 countries
episodes of Season 4 of Chalk Radio podcast
MITx online courses, modules, and exams
visits on OCW’s YouTube channel with over 3.5M subscribers

          

Pathways for Learner Achievement

Our learners are our inspiration. Their commitment, perseverance, and drive to gain knowledge—often in the face of challenging circumstances—compel our efforts in ensuring they have the open access and educational materials they need for their success. These are some stories of achievement and incredible triumph and ways Open Learning helps to ensure their accomplishments are recognized.

Two young latina women discuss a project

Emerging Talent program launched

The program aims to build education-to-employment pathways for underserved communities.

Read about the new effort

Illustration of a connection among certificate, woman on mobile phone and female employer

Equity with verifiable digital credentials

In a skills-based hiring future, digital learning and employment records create equity for learners and job seekers.

Learn about digital credentials

Young African American woman on a laptop is seated and smiling

Democratizing education

The MicroMasters Program in Statistics and Data Science, with over 1,000 credential holders, brings MIT excellence to learners around the world.

Learn about the program

MIT-MicroMasters-Tetiana-Herasymova
Photo courtesy of Tetiana Herasymova

Research, education, and connection in the face of war

“I wouldn’t let the aggressor in the war squash my dreams,” says Ukrainian mathematician and MITx MicroMasters learner Tetiana Herasymova.

Learn how she succeeded

Image of a young African man wearing glasses in a cafe
Photo courtesy of Chansa Kabwe

Coding the future with MIT OpenCourseWare

Learner Chansa Kabwe pursued a rigorous course of study in electrical engineering and computer science to broaden his horizons.

Read his story

MIT-Refugee-Action-Hub-learner-Tahmina
Photo: cottonbro studio/Pexels

Learner in Afghanistan reaches beyond barriers to pursue career in data science

MIT ReACT and Innovation Leadership Bootcamp provide valuable opportunities.

Learn about her journey

"MITx's commitment to excellence and innovation is evident in the design and delivery of their courses. The materials are engaging, the instructors are knowledgeable, and the interactive components make the learning experience immersive and enjoyable. The flexibility of self-paced learning is particularly advantageous for individuals like me, who are juggling multiple responsibilities. It allows us to learn at our own pace, fitting education into our busy lives."

—Darshani, Working professional, South Africa

attendees from 120 countries participated in the 2023 Migration Summit
MicroMasters credentials awarded with 55 credential holders admitted to MIT blended Masters programs
schools worldwide which accept MicroMasters credentials for their graduate program (cumulatively)

          

Educational Innovation in Practice

Experimentation is part of Open Learning’s DNA. And when it comes to educational innovation, we thrive on delving into the hard problems, evaluating our hypotheses, and coming up with real-world solutions. Our hands-on and minds-on approach puts theories into action and sets a foundation for expanding our work and collaborations — and keeps us on the cutting edge of pedagogy.

Woman on computer is communicating with a man seated wearing headphones

Meaningful research and mentorship in an online internship

Researchers present an overview and initial findings from their program MICRO: an online undergraduate program to promote equitable access to research and education in materials science and engineering.

Read their findings

students in workshop using machinery

Reimagining a curriculum for tomorrow's engineers at the University of the Andes

A three-year collaboration with Jameel World Education Lab upgraded student learning through human skills, project-centered classes, and adaptability.

Learn about the collaboration

illustration of individual diverse student head shots

Focusing course design on learners

Qualitative research project from MIT examines learners’ motivations and goals for taking massive open online courses.

Read about learners' motivations

Simulating discrimination in virtual reality

The role-playing game “On the Plane” simulates xenophobia to foster greater understanding and reflection via virtual experiences.

Learn more about this game

Two iPads displaying a girl wearing a hijab seated on a plane are on either side of an image of a plane in flight.
Image: Alex Shipps/MIT CSAIL

Design of video game characters has physical-world repercussions

A recent study from MIT researchers demonstrates that the exaggerated design of characters in fighting video games reinforces cultural stereotypes about gender, race, and ethnicity.

Learn more about this research

Young people playing video games
Credit: South_agency on iStock

"I suggest that four primary mechanisms to combat the negative impacts of technologies of virtuality are:

1. Digital Forensics: image and audio processing software that analyzes content to detect computational manipulation.

2. Verification: use of encrypted digital “signatures” to authenticate legitimate content.

3. Policy: use of industry guidelines and government legislation to regulate deepfake production and prohibit using them to mislead the public.

4. Public Literacy: raising public awareness of the primary aims, uses, and methods of deepfakes; providing the public with means to discern misinformation in media."

—D. Fox Harrell, director, MIT Center for Advanced Virtuality

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