Saturday, March 8, 2008

The Teaching Company – My Favorite courses

This is my second post in a short time when I am going to help a commercial business. Last time it was Nokia, because of their brilliant software "Nokia sports tracker". This time I want to take my hat off for The Teaching Company. I have mentioned them in previous posts here and here, but now I want to dedicate an entire post to this wonderful company.

Their concept is easy. They hunt down University professors who excel in their subject and in teaching skills. Then they ask these professors to record a series of 30-45min long lectures (on average about 30 lectures in each course) on their subject. Then they sell these lectures over the internet. You can download them as mp3's, have CD's with audio sent to you, or buy video recordings of the lectures. I normally prefer the first alternative since I can convert the files to the Nokia audiobooks (another terrific application from Nokia) format which use up very little space on my mobile phone, however, sometimes it is nice to have video also.

The lectures are normally equivalent to what you would expect from an introductory university course - rather detailed in other words. When do I have time to listen to these lectures? Well, on the top of my head, here are a few situations in which I normally put in my earphones and broaden my universe a little bit.

1. When I am riding my bike to work

2. When I am doing the dishes

3. When I am vacuum cleaning

4. When I am out jogging

5. When I am walking the dog


These situations actually correspond to a few hours a day, which adds up to a great many hours per year. Since I discovered The teaching company little more than a year ago I have been listening to an estimated 240 hours of lectures (a modest estimation, in reality it is probably more than that). It has really enriched my life.

If any of my readers are also fans of The teaching company then I am very interested in hearing which courses you liked and which ones you did not like, so that I know which courses I should get in the future. Here are a list of the courses that I have completed as well as my rating of them (5= Brilliant, 1=Not worth buying)...

Classical mythology: 3 - The teacher does everything you would expect, but not more. Mythology is exotic and interesting which makes this course very attractive

Second world war: 5 - I may be a bit biased because I think wars are interesting to study. I think that I finished this 30 lecture course in three days or so. Teacher is brilliant.

First world war: 5- Same rating as for the second world war

History of Russia: 4 - One of the first courses I listened to, very good lecturer, unfortunately I have forgotten a lot of what was said in this course

Argumentation: 3 - I remember this course as being engaging, but for some reason I don't remember so much of this course, and in addition I retoric has always been a little bit too abstract an inconcrete for my taste

Philosophy of Science: 3 - Good course which can get a bit complex every now and then, and that can make you loose focus

Books that have made history: 5 - Probably the most entertaining course of all, like listening to engaging stories. The professor even makes voices for the characters in the book which makes it even more entertaining

Biology and human behavior: 5 - Robert Sapolsky from Stanford (see above), may simplify a lot, however, a more entertaining course on human behavior will be extremely hard to find. Great, great course!

Science and religion: 3 - Seemed to me that the professor was very biased, and that he wanted to defend religion, however, you will learn a lot about interesting historical events

Biology: 3 - 80 lectures long course going through a huge amount of biology, works well to fresh up your memory, and the lecturer manages to put in a lot of details to, however, I would have liked some more jokes and stuff from him

Economics 3rd ed: 5 - Also a fantastic series from a lectures from a great professor. I thought economics would be boring but now I know it isn't so

Contemporary economic issues: 4 - Very similar to the course above, same lecturer, great stuff.

Utopia and terror in the 20th century: 4 - Takes you through genocides and massacres in the 20th century which is always interesting, greatly recommended.

Philosophy of the mind: 5 - John Searle's course on the human mind is simply brilliant. Many good illustrative jokes.

History of the United States: 5 - A massive 84 lectures on the history of the united states. Loved the part about the civil war, but everything was great in this course.

United State and the middle east: 5 - Manages to guide you through a century of conflicts. Gives you the facts without taking sides which is an impressive feat in an on itself.

Here are a few other blogs that have written about The teaching company as well.


Creative think

Cool tools


Learn out loud

7 comments:

Doug van Orsow said...

I like the idea of using spare time to listen to these lectures, but personally I need to focus what little concentration I have to get the most out of them. Driving is too distractive and probably dangerous anyway, so I take notes and post them on my user forum:

http://teachingcompany.12.forumer.com

You may also find these useful, but just ignore the ads, they are so annoying!

Doug van Orsow

rasmussenanders said...

Thanks, I will take a look at the forum. I think youa are right about the focusing part, why I do not listen if I am doing something that is not automatic. The situation that I mentioned in my post I can all do, almost in my sleep...

tingotankar said...

I am a fellow addict of TTC. Why waste time idling about at only one task, when you can simultaneously listen to a lecture on Mythologies of the Ancient near East? Seriously, I love it and have done som shameless shilling on my own blog (in swedish)

My no 1 recommendation is Origins of Life with Robert Hazen - truly the best lecturer I've ever heard, sound effects and everything. A great series that explains how the science of understanding the very first appearancce of life on this planet. Riveting, whether you are a scientist or just an enthusiast.

rasmussenanders said...

Thank you for the comments,

I have just now finished Rufus Fears series on famous greeks. He is one of my top three lecturers so far.

Now I have started origins of life =).

Unknown said...

Robert Greenberg is the top professor of my list. Lloyd Kramer is amazing - barely looks at his notes. Pamela Radcliff's Interpreting the 20th Century is great.

Please check out our little Facebook group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2300154440

David

Dr. David Richards said...

I am also an TTC addict and am currently listening to "The History of the English Language" which I would give a 4/5. The best lecturer I have ever heard on TTC (or anywhere else) is Daniel Robinson. I have never heard anyone so able to distill that which is most relevant and beautiful into such memorable and entertaining lectures. From him I have Great Ideas in the History of Philosophy. This series I will give an honest 5+/5. I have probably listed to all 60 lectures at least 4 times and several are so good I never tire of them. I have probably 20 or so TTC products.

Anonymous said...

I have read that the teaching company is a well-established enterprised with clear goals! I am glad that this company is very successful because they work hard. I would like to see generic viagra within your favorite courses.