2024 in stories

From research developments to new learning opportunities, MIT Open Learning marked multiple achievements in 2024 that deepened its commitment to open education and the science of teaching and learning. As the calendar year comes to a close, here are some of Open Learning’s most noteworthy stories of 2024.

Research news

• A STEAM framework that prepares learners for evolving careers and technologies: MIT pK-12 at Open Learning co-created a secondary school learning architecture that’s available for adoption and adaptation by educational practitioners worldwide.
• The power of App Inventor: Democratizing possibilities for mobile applications: More than a decade since its launch, App Inventor hosted its 100 millionth project and registered its 20 millionth user in 2024. Now hosted by MIT, the app also supports experimenting with AI.
• Investigating generative AI in computer education: A recently published white paper explores how generative AI can improve equitable access and student success for post-secondary computing education and beyond.
• What you need to know about AI in the classroom: MIT researchers discuss the proper use of AI in schools and policy recommendations for effective learning.
• Reach Every Reader aims to increase literacy in the next generations: MIT Professor and Neuroscientist John Gabrieli shares the initiative’s approach to improving literacy rates in the U.S.
• Helping educators answer “Why did we do that?”: A decision-tracking tool from MIT Open Learning enhances transparency and continual improvement of learning experiences.
• How peer review enables better learning in online courses: MIT Postdoc Daniel Braconnier discusses how he’s using a peer assessment tool to improve learners’ performance.
• “They can see themselves shaping the world they live in:” Developed by MIT RAISE, the Day of AI curriculum empowers K-12 students to collaborate on local and global challenges using AI.

Open Learning news

• Dimitris Bertsimas named vice provost for open learning: Leveraging more than 35 years of experience at MIT, Bertsimas is working with partners across the Institute to transform teaching and learning on and off campus.
• Two MIT films nominated for New England Emmy Awards: The films, which were produced by MIT Video Productions and the Department of Mechanical Engineering, highlight some of MIT’s global conversations about the environment and climate change.
• A revolutionary, bold educational endeavor for Belize: Itz’at STEAM Academy, an effort between MIT and the Belize Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology, pushes the boundaries of education through innovative methodologies.
• How free online courses from MIT can “transform the future of the world:” MIT OpenCourseWare’s YouTube channel inspires millions of learners across the globe to expand their knowledge and develop new skills for free.
• MIT Emerging Talent opens pathways for underserved global learners: Learners across 24 countries build technical and employment skills in a collaborative community.
• MIT faculty, instructors, and students experiment with generative AI in teaching and learning: At MIT’s Festival of Learning 2024, panelists stressed the importance of developing critical thinking skills while leveraging technologies like generative AI.
• Fostering research, careers, and community in materials science: MICRO internship program expanded in 2024, bringing undergraduate interns from other schools to campus.
• Improving biology education here, there, and everywhere: At the cutting edge of pedagogy, Mary Ellen Wiltrout has shaped blended and online learning at MIT and beyond.
• Using lessons from the past to build a better future: MIT Associate Professor Admir Masic studies ancient materials while working to solve modern problems.

Learner stories

• Turning adversity into opportunity: How a love for math and access to MIT Open Learning’s online learning resources helped Sujood Eldouma, a Sudanese learner, pursue a career in data science.
• Entrepreneur creates career pathways with MIT OpenCourseWare: June Odongo is using free, online MIT courses to train high-quality candidates, making them job-ready.
• How a quantum scientist, a nurse, and an economist are joining the fight against global poverty: The MITx MicroMasters in Data, Economics, and Design of Policy program continues to educate learners around the world using its data-driven approach to poverty alleviation.
• “We offer another place for knowledge:” After acquiring data science and AI skills from MIT, Jospin Hassan shared them with his community in the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi and built pathways for talented learners.
• MIT OpenCourseWare “changed how I think about teaching and what a university is:” Bernardo Picão, a graduate student in physics, has turned to MIT Open Learning’s resources throughout his educational journey.
• How MIT’s online resources provide a “highly motivating, even transformative experience:” Charalampos Sampalis has explored all that MIT Open Learning has to offer while growing his career in Athens, Greece.
• Teen uses pharmacology learned through MIT OpenCourseWare to extract and study medicinal properties of plants: Inspired by traditional medicine, 17-year-old Tomás Orellana is on a mission to identify plants that can help treat students’ health issues.

Learning opportunities

• Google and MIT RAISE collaborate on a free generative AI course for educators: The course helps teachers save time, personalize instruction, and enhance lessons with generative AI tools.
• A beginner’s guide to open learning at MIT: This guide provides a list of free resources from MIT’s open education platforms and programs.
• Learn from MIT’s 2024 MacVicar Fellows: MIT OpenCourseWare offers free online courses in mechanical engineering, political science, and music history taught by this year’s fellows.
• Five courses from MIT ranked among the most popular of 2024 — and all time: Class Central recognized MITx’s free online courses among the 250 most popular of all time and 100 most popular of 2024.
• Learn from the world’s № 1 university with MIT’s free and low-cost online courses: QS World University Rankings ranked MIT № 1 in 11 subjects and № 2 in five others for 2024.
• Take free or low-cost online courses taught by MIT’s Nobel laureates: MIT Open Learning offers accessible educational materials from the Nobel laureates.
• Free online courses from 13 of MIT’s #1 undergraduate programs: MIT Open Learning offers open educational resources in the top engineering, computer science, and business specialties ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
• Ten books from MIT faculty to expand your knowledge of teaching, learning, and technology: The books explore the science of learning, innovation in schools, sociable robots, and more.

2024 in stories was originally published in MIT Open Learning on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.