MIT OpenCourseWare

MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW) offers homeschooling families and independent learners access to authentic MIT course materials at no cost. Parents who have incorporated OCW into their educational approach share mixed but generally positive experiences:

What Parents Appreciate

The quality and depth of MIT's content stands out as the primary benefit for advanced learners:

"What a gift that the OCW courses are available... As a homeschool parent this has been very helpful for our family." MIT OCW Impact Report

The breadth of available subjects provides opportunities for teens to explore specialized interests without financial investment:

"My son was homebound due to illness but was able to use OCW to explore advanced topics like a graduate-level origami algorithms class." Homeschool Parent, MIT OCW Impact Report

High school teachers and homeschool parents value the AP-aligned materials that bridge secondary and university-level learning:

"It is nice to have a place to turn where students can genuinely do independent study... I can rely on OCW materials to be good." High School Teacher via MIT OCW

The flexibility to incorporate specific elements into an existing curriculum is particularly helpful:

"The Kitchen Chemistry course helped my children get excited about science." Homeschool Parent via MIT OCW

Students and parents report increased confidence and motivation when mastering college-level material:

"We are doing MIT-level work!" Student via MIT OCW

Common Challenges

The primary drawback parents note is the lack of instructor interaction or feedback:

"You won't get to participate in class discussions. Nor will you receive constructive criticism on your work or be able to ask questions." HowStuffWorks

The materials require significant self-discipline and maturity from students:

"You have to discipline yourself to do the homeworks, since no one is setting up a course structure for you." College Confidential Forums

Some parents find the advanced level too challenging without sufficient background knowledge:

"Not all courses are posted in their entirety." HowStuffWorks

Students may hesitate to invest time in coursework that doesn't translate to formal credit:

"I won't get any credit for it and I don't want to look like a slacker." Student via College Confidential Forums

Best Fit Students

MIT OpenCourseWare serves specific educational needs particularly well. Based on parent feedback, OCW is most valuable for:

• Advanced high school students seeking college-level challenges
• Learners preparing for AP exams in Physics, Calculus, or Biology
• Self-motivated teens with strong independent learning skills
• Students with special interests in STEM fields
• Families seeking free enrichment beyond standard high school curriculum

OCW may be less effective for:

• Students who need structured support and accountability
• Learners without the necessary academic foundations
• Those requiring formal credit or certification
• Younger students still developing independent learning skills

Parent Involvement Required

Parents describe their involvement with OCW as primarily facilitative rather than instructional:

• Help select appropriate courses and materials
• Provide external structure (deadlines, check-ins) for accountability
• Source additional help when concepts prove challenging
• Document completion for homeschool transcripts
• Supplement with hands-on activities where appropriate

Most successful implementations come from families where parents take a coaching approach, supporting the student's self-directed learning while providing structure when needed.

Integration Tips from Parents

Experienced families suggest these approaches for optimal use of MIT OCW:

• Start with the "Highlights for High School" section that maps resources to AP exams
• Use OCW as enrichment alongside a core curriculum rather than a standalone program
• Create a clear weekly schedule with specific assignments to maintain momentum
• Identify forums or study groups where students can ask questions when stuck
• Document completed work carefully for homeschool transcripts
• Consider forming a small study group with other homeschoolers using the same materials

The Bottom Line

MIT OpenCourseWare offers homeschooling families an extraordinary opportunity to access world-class educational materials at no cost. The resource is most valuable as supplementary enrichment or for highly motivated, advanced students who are prepared for college-level work.

While it requires more structure and self-discipline than packaged curricula, many parents find that the depth and quality of learning make it worth the extra effort. As one independent learner summarized: "I think it's a beautiful and powerful concept... I've spent hundreds of hours learning... I've become addicted to MIT OCW."