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OpenCourseWare is a virtual learning environment. The idea originated at MIT. The Hewlett Foundation also partnered MIT to create OpenCourseWare.

OpenCourseWare records all activities that happened in the classroom, and makes it available to users over the Internet. Extra information like notes, and tests are also provided.

Several top universities make such course ware available over the Internet. An Internet user has free access to the study materials, and can also freely download it. No additional privileges are given. People using OpenCourseWare might not be able to contact the professors who taught the subject in the classroom.

Learning through OpenCourseWare is considered an activity of one’s own interest. Employers do not consider anyone for employment based on OpenCourseWare education credentials.

OpenCourseWare is usually used by people who want to enhance their knowledge on a particular subject. Some of them would not want to spend money on full-time education, or be interested in degrees. They would only want someone teaching them the subject.

Even established professionals use OpenCourseWare to update their knowledge. They learn from such a medium in their free time.

OpenCourseWare indicates the transitioning of knowledge to become very highly available and free. No more is knowledge commoditized or being monetized. With OpenCourseWare everyone has the power of knowledge by them. And this encourages genuine competition in the world.

For technology-professionals, OpenCourseWare is an excellent medium to be updated on the latest and greatest technologies. Plenty of universities make available free video-based courses on their websites. Just type OpenCourseWare in your Internet search engine to view them.