Quality educational content at your fingertips

In a densely populated country like India, where quality education is still outside the reach of millions especially those in the rural areas, where one could hardly find a school even with the basic amenities. The case is not so different in the urban areas, where students are being charged astronomical fees, and at the same time not delivering the quality education as promised. The reason being, education is seen from the business stand point with top priority being 'profit from it' and not on the age old way, where the Guru(teacher) and his deep rooted knowledge on the subject was considered to be of paramount importance in those times.

Fortunately many of the world renowned institutions like MIT, IIT, IISc had voluntarily started to publish their courses(lectures) to the internet. This had literally opened up a whole new realm of possibilities in the educational sector, where the lines got blurred between the genius and common student, in terms of accessibility to quality education. I believe information of this sort should be made available to those employed in the educational sector, which could eventually help to build a nation of our dreams prevailing with peace, prosperity, unity and power.

Here are some links on specific subjects which I came across while trying to help a friend of mine with his college chores.

Khan Academy -  A library of over 2,400 videos covering everything from arithmetic to physics, finance, and history and 125 practice exercises, we're on a mission to help you learn whatever you want, whenever you want, at your own pace and that too free of cost.

MIT Open Courseware - MIT OpenCourseWare is a free publication of MIT course materials that reflects almost all the undergraduate and graduate subjects taught at MIT. To explore the different courses available, you can see by clicking on the 'Courses' link.

Practical Chemistry - This site provides all teachers of chemistry with a wide range of experiments to illustrate concepts or processes, as starting-points for investigations and for enhancement activities such as club or open day events. It also enables the sharing of skills and experience of making experiments work in the classroom. Lots of information for technicians too.

Practical Biology -  provides teachers of biology at all levels with experiments that demonstrate a wide range of biological concepts and processes. The website also promotes the sharing of skills and experiences of making experiments work in the classroom, and includes information and guidance for technicians.

Practical Physics - This website is for teachers of physics, enabling them to share their skills and experience of making experiments work in the classroom.

PUMAS - Practical Use of Maths And Science an initiative by NASA. The website contains a collection of brief examples showing how math and science topics taught in K-12 classes can be used in interesting settings, including every day life.

Lectures from IIT\IISc - A Govt. Of India initiative on E-learning through online Web and Video courses in Engineering, Science and humanities streams. The mission of NPTEL(National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning) is to enhance the quality of Engineering education in the country by providing free online courseware.

If you come across resources of this kind, please drop me a comment on that. I will be updating the post with your inputs.