Online Learning Innovator Scholarship

As a law and policy major who tends to choose courses that I know will challenge me, online platforms, tools, and resources have been essential to furthering my understanding of what I'm studying. Until college, I often used Quizlet to help with memorization. The flashcards and memory games made vocabulary a breeze. But, now that my assignments are typically long-form writing assignments to demonstrate my understanding of a concept, I've found that YouTube and Coursera are the most beneficial to me as a student. Within academia, YouTube has garnered a reputation similar to that of Wikipedia. Professors warn against using YouTube because it is a platform where anyone can post anything, whether it is accurate or not. To me, this is unfair. YouTube has thousands of vetted experts posting videos on topics they are passionate about. For example, the channel The Amoeba Sisters is a collaboration between real-life sisters, one creating the art, and the other, using what she's learned from her MS in biological sciences, narrates. There are countless other examples, in almost every subject, of highly educated and talented people making videos curated for those who want to learn. If I am struggling in a class, there is surely some YouTube creator who will be able to explain the topic in a different way, which will help me succeed. Of course, sometimes I need to verify that the creator has experience in whatever field they're discussing. But, generally, people with educational channels post their credentials anyway, making it easier to tell who to trust. The other platform I use is Coursera. Coursera is a website/app where accredited universities can post online, self-paced versions of their courses. Right now, I'm taking a course on how law and ethics intersect in the context of running a business. Since the courses are self-paced, it is ideal for someone who wants to supplement their learning while already enrolled at a college/university. It is also ideal for anyone curious about a topic, especially as the courses are free. Earning a certificate for completing a Coursera course is possible but comes with a fee. However, the platform has granted me three full scholarships, meaning I have received credit for completing two courses (then, the one I am currently taking). The scholarship opportunities, and ease of application, make it clear to me that Coursera is truly invested in broadening access to education. Though I am quite wary of AI, it has been helpful to me when doing research. Tools like ChatGPT and Google Bard can process more complex search queries than a typical search engine. As an intern whose responsibilities often include finding specific and obscure pieces of information, AI has certainly been useful. In an increasingly digitized world, online learning is now more popular and extensive than ever. It has helped me understand subjects I struggle with and enhanced my interest in subjects I love. Though YouTube and Coursera are what work for me, there are many other educational platforms online to explore. As I work toward my degree, I'm sure to utilize more of these resources.