Discrete Math for IT (UMass Lowell; online)
“Discrete Math for IT just sounded intimidating. Like all advanced math, a strong base of math knowledge is critical, and this course forced me to leverage that base. It was quite interesting to connect logical math concepts with the IT world. My greatest benefit has been challenging myself intellectually and realizing my cognitive aptitude for new and different ideas is alive and well.”
History & Literature of Music 1 (Boston University Evergreen Program)
“This course was taught by a seasoned professor who combines his knowledge of the history and literature of music going back to the early part of the first century. As an amateur musician this was a terrific way to broaden my knowledge of music I have listened to and performed over the years.”
Fundamental Theology (St. John’s Seminary, Brighton, MA)
“Having this knowledge has helped make me a better Deacon as I attempt to serve. Thankfully, I am able to use this in listening, engaging, and caring for the various members of different communities—not limited to but certainly including the MIT community. The coursework I have completed has helped make me a better pastoral resource for students and staff.”
Commercial Honey, Wax & Pollen Production (University of Montana; online)
“Using the principles of honey bee ecology, I learned how to make creamed honey, process bees wax, and gained an understanding of food product safety and personnel safety in honey bottling and production.”
Intro to Cloud Computing (UMass Lowell; online)
“This course connected several missing pieces for the full understanding of what the cloud means as well as the technical components and functionality this type of service provides. This knowledge is directly relatable to my daily role and has benefitted me greatly professionally in working with the cloud.”
Principles of Macroeconomics (UMass Lowell; online)
“Principles of Macroeconomics was relatively new content for me and quite challenging. I found this course to be quite interesting and extremely helpful in understanding the economic changes occurring at the national level while the course was active. It’s very powerful to learn new content and be able to apply it immediately to daily events and occurrences.”
Computer Ethics (UMass Lowell; online)
“This course utilized case review to analyze various ethical situations based on ethical theories and standards. Comparing my beliefs and analysis with my fellow classmates proved to broaden my perspective on ethical approaches and human behavior. This was a welcomed lesson that I did not expect.”
Master Beekeeper Course (University of Montana; online)
“The Master course offered a detailed examination of Honey Bee flight, anatomy, and reproduction. The course provided basic principles for conducting my own experiment, and I was given the opportunity to participate in a literature-based research project and delivered a final technical report.”
Toastmasters International Convention (Toastmasters International, Anaheim, CA)
“I attended the ‘Negotiating Conflicts Confidently’ talk (which came in handy when my JetBlue fight home was delayed by four hours). The exhibits with the International Coaching Federation, Microsoft, Rotary, and the Speaker Lab were also helpful in seeing how our groups can collaborate. Networking with members from all over the world, and meeting folks I had previously only met on Zoom was a highlight of this trip.”
Mindfulness for Managing Pain (UMass Memorial Medical Center; online)
“In this course, I learned about the relationship between our minds and pain. I also had the opportunity to do meditations and body scans during class. I was able to connect with others in the class about their experiences and what they learned from the class. Befriending your pain was a key concept I learned and have benefited from. I continue to use the meditation and body scan recordings provided by the instructor, and I have found relief from both physical pain and the mental anguish that can accompany it.”
Advanced Education Policy Leadership Program (Rennie Center, Boston, MA)
“One key element that I learned from presentations by other teams was that issues related to assessment and career readiness relate directly to the field of parenting education. Employers want individuals with so-called soft skills, but these are difficult to measure. These skills are, of course, best learned at home. The executive director of the Education Commission of the States was a speaker at one session. We hope to involve that entity and others in bringing the issue of parenting educator licensing to public attention.”
Northern European Art (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)
"From this course, I learned a lot about the evolution of northern Europe through the paintings we visited during the course. I now have a good understanding as to why these artists' works are considered so important, both in terms of their skill and how they impacted the world of fine art."
Degas and His World (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)
"My ability to look at works of art from a wider variety of perspectives was enhanced and I now gain a lot more satisfaction out of viewing fine art in general."
International Human Rights: Victims, Violators, and Enforcers (OSHER Lifelong Learning, University of Arizona)
"The instructor and several of the class members had worked in NGOs in Africa and Asia, and this personal experience enhanced the classroom discussion. One particularly interesting guest speaker participated in the war crimes trials in Bosnia Herzegovina and the difficulty of prosecuting war criminals. Basically, I learned that although the UN is far from perfect, it has made progress since WWII in promoting human rights."
Code Girls & the Overlooked Women in Technology (OSHER Lifelong Learning, Brandeis)
"The course covered women's contributions to the development of modern computer technologies. It also looked at various ways people and Institutions are attempting to deal with the disparity between men and women's representation in technology even today."
The Neolithic Revolution (OSHER Lifelong Learning, Brandeis)
"Readings from leading archeologists, linguists, and geneticists helped me understand what sparked this revolution, and how early societies were organized and spread."
Churchill: Spymaster (OSHER Lifelong Learning, University of Arizona)
"It was a most interesting course, very well taught by enthusiastic Marshall Spatz."
Introduction to Financial Planning (Boston University)
"I came away with a much better appreciation of the knowledge and skills that a financial planner provides her clients."
Astronomy & Our Universe: The Big Picture and a Few "Hot Topics" (Arlington Community Education)
"If I already had an appreciation of the unimaginable vastnes and complexity of the Universe, my sense of awe was only increased. The class left me with a heightened sense of wonder, and even more curiosity about what's out there in space."