MITx
MITx is the massive open online course (MOOC) program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A constituent program of MIT’s Office of Digital Learning, MITx produces MOOCs from MIT departments and faculty that appear on the edX platform. MITx also supports residential experiments with scalable learning technologies and research on digital learning. MOOCs offered through edX by MITx are open-enrollment and free to take. Learners who successfully complete course requirements receive a certificate of accomplishment, but no academic credit is offered. In September 2012, edX and MITx introduced the option to receive an ID verified certificate for a modest fee on some courses.
History
The MITx program was announced on December 19, 2011 and originally included three components: 1) development and offering of massive open online courses, 2) research on the effectiveness of emerging digital learning tools, and 3) the development of an open source platform for offering massive open online courses.[1] Initial course and platform development for MITx was undertaken under the direction of Professor Anant Agarwal in the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL).
On May 3, 2012, the open platform component was spun off into edX, a non-profit co-owned by MIT and Harvard and charged with platform development and the creation of a consortium of leading institutions offering MOOCs.[2] Professor Agarwal was named the first president of edX.
On November 20, 2012, the MITx program was placed organizationally with in the newly create MIT Office of Digital Learning,[3] which would also eventually include three other MIT organizations: MIT OpenCourseWare, the Office of Educational Innovation and Technology, and Academic Media Production Services. Materials Science professor Sanjay Sarma was named MIT’s Director of Digital Learning and Computer Science professor Isaac Chuang was named Associate Director of Digital Learning.
Courses and programs offered
MITx has one of the largest offerings of MOOCs through the edX platform. On September 17, 2013, MITx announced the first of its XSeries Certificate programs, which offer recognition for the completion of a series of related MOOC courses. Current XSeries include Fundamentals of Computer Science, Supply Chain Management, and Aerodynamics. In 2016, MITx is launched a new Micromaster's credential in Supply Chain Management. The MicroMasters in Supply Chain from MIT is an advanced, professional, graduate-level foundation in Supply Chain Management. It represents the equivalent of 1 semester's worth of coursework at MIT. To earn a Micromaster's credential, learners must complete a sequence of 5 MOOCs, followed by a comprehensive capstone exam.
