Remember MIT Open Courseware? It's the program to put all of the MIT curriculum online so you can learn mechanical engineering or whatever you want for free. Well, there's something else you should be aware of, because some of you might find the MIT offerings a bit too much to start with. If that's the case, try Khan Academy.
One of the problems we run into on The Kneeslider, is many posts delve into topics that demand a bit of technical knowledge. How many times have we made a reference to torque, for instance, when off we go in the comments with statements showing some folks could use a refresher, or even an introduction, to what torque is and how it's measured.
As electric motorcycles are added to the mix, you need to know something of chemistry and electricity, and any motorcycle is an entire physics demonstration in itself. Dealing with any of these topics requires math, you can only talk in generalities so long before you need a bit of geometry and even basic algebra to illustrate what you're saying and others need knowledge of the same subjects to know if you're making any sense.
So how can Khan Academy help? According to Salman Khan, the originator of the site, "The Khan Academy is a not-for-profit organization with the mission of providing a high quality education to anyone, anywhere." OK, but what actually is it? It's over 1400 videos on subjects ranging from basic arithmetic to advanced algebra, linear algebra, geometry, trig, calculus, physics and lots, lots more. Each video is a bite sized piece where Khan walks you through the topic for maybe 5 or 10 minutes. It is very, very good. Whether you have zero background in any of the topics or just want to brush up, these videos are worth the time.
With all of this free technical training available online, all of the excuses fade away. If you want to learn, there it is. If you're using a computer to read this, you have everything you need. Of course, the motivation is up to you.
Link: Khan Academy
Related: Learn Mechanical Engineering Online
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
My dad went to MIT, but unfortunately it didn’t rub off. But pound for pound, I can videos as good as anyone. Count me in. Nuclear physics here we come!
Just wanted to say ‘Thanks’ for the links!
Just a quick FYI: I don’t know if that list was meant to be in order, but linear algebra is usually taken after calculus.
Can I put watching videos on my resume?
-todd
@todd, “Can I put watching videos on my resume?”
Only if you learn what’s in them.
Cool! Thanks!
If Uncle Scam wanted engineers instead of exported factories, he’d have done this decades ago. Why do you think he bought GM, then paid it billions of taxdollars to move to Commie China?