I just realized today that it’s been three years since the 3D Interactive Graphics MOOC came out. It’s still chugging along, surprisingly enough, getting about 35 signups a day. Of course, completion rates are a small fraction of that – I’d like to know myself what it is. Me, I’m still answering questions on the discussion board.

It’s been a good week for positive comments from people taking the course. Who wouldn’t like reading posts such as this, “It is incredibly easy to learn and the examples are vivid and awesome. I wish the professors at my university were like you!” Which I take as more a reflection of the level of teaching at that (unnamed) university – I know there are more engaging and dynamic teachers than me. The takeaway is that videos and demonstrations that are just a link away can offer a fair bit, just as films have some advantages compared to live performances. Integrating these newer technologies into the classroom is the exciting challenge.

Another person gave praise to my short dot product explanation videos, even adding links to them on Wikipedia’s dot product page (which I just edited, removing my name). Looking at those videos now, hey, they’re pretty good! Here’s one showing how the dot product and cosine are related. Find the others here.

Remember how three years ago MOOCs were going to destroy the university system, and that everyone would get a cheap college education? The reality is that MOOCs are inexpensive (usually free) distance-learning systems for relatively well-off, educated people out of school who want to study a specific topic. You also have to be quite self-motivated to plow through a course, since the usual external motivators of a college education – getting a degree, keeping the parents happy, getting your money’s worth, and staying in school for the parties – are all missing.

I’d like to see are more graphics MOOCs beyond Ed Angel’s and mine. But the reality is that MOOCs are expensive and whether there’s a viable business plan blah blah blah.

Whatever the case, knowing that I’ve been able to help a number of people get some understanding of this great field of ours has been an unalloyed joy. Honestly, working on this course has been a lovely and lucky opportunity for me, and one of the best things I’ve done with my life.