An “on-ramp” for knowledge: HarvardX for Allston

As Harvard continues to advance teaching and research on campus, online, and beyond through HarvardX, a University-wide initiative to enable faculty to create open online learning experiences, a new program is under way to combine online educational resources with in-person teaching components.

HarvardX for Allston will bring HarvardX content to the Allston-Brighton community and general public by offering programs that integrate the latest in virtual education technologies with opportunities for face-to-face interactions and discussion.

The nascent endeavor is part of the University’s community benefits program for the Allston-Brighton community in association with the institutional master plan for Harvard’s campus development in Allston. The program is being developed under the leadership of Robert A. Lue, faculty director for HarvardX and faculty director of the Harvard Allston Education Portal (Ed Portal).

“No matter what we create online, it is never designed to substitute for the in-person,” said Lue, who is also professor of the practice for molecular and cellular biology. “HarvardX for Allston provides a critical feature to bring people together—for members of the Harvard community, Allston-Brighton community, and learners around the world to come together around shared interests, ideas, and content.”

Lue sees the potential for the program to serve as an “on-ramp” for individuals new to the knowledge economy and as an opportunity for those already plugged-in to explore deep content from across Harvard’s schools, and engage with faculty and students.

Future events: April 14, 6:30 p.m.: Peter Bol on “China” (Register here); and May 14, 6:30 p.m.: Laura Nasrallah on “Early Christianity.”