# Ep. 12 | Why Open Online Courses Are the Future of Engineering Education feat. Anant Agarwal

- Show: [Moore's Lobby](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby)
- Published: 2020-11-06
- Length: 56m
- Episode: 12
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-11-06-ep-12-why-open-online-courses-are-the-future-of-engineering-education-feat-anant
- Listen: https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/tech-days/summer-2020/edx/webinars/anant-agarwal-why-open-online-courses-are-the-future-of-engineering-education/

## Summary

Anant Agarwal, Founder and CEO of edX and MIT professor, discusses the evolution of online engineering education, highlighting edX's growth to 33 million learners and the shift toward modular, stackable credentials like MicroMasters. He explains how top universities such as Purdue, Georgia Tech, and UT Austin now offer affordable online degrees and microcredentials, allowing engineers to upskill in specific areas like nanotechnology or data science without the cost and time of traditional degrees. Agarwal also details the use of virtual labs and simulation tools to replicate hands-on circuit design, citing a San Jose State University study where blended learning improved pass rates from 59% to 91%. The conversation covers the importance of hybrid skills, including soft skills like leadership and project management, which are increasingly valued by employers alongside technical expertise.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-11-06-ep-12-why-open-online-courses-are-the-future-of-engineering-education-feat-anant#t=1) Introduction and edX Growth
- [5:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-11-06-ep-12-why-open-online-courses-are-the-future-of-engineering-education-feat-anant#t=345) The Need for Modular Engineering Education
- [9:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-11-06-ep-12-why-open-online-courses-are-the-future-of-engineering-education-feat-anant#t=555) MicroMasters and Stackable Degrees
- [18:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-11-06-ep-12-why-open-online-courses-are-the-future-of-engineering-education-feat-anant#t=1133) Top University Credentials and Affordability
- [31:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-11-06-ep-12-why-open-online-courses-are-the-future-of-engineering-education-feat-anant#t=1915) Virtual Labs and Simulation Technology
- [37:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-11-06-ep-12-why-open-online-courses-are-the-future-of-engineering-education-feat-anant#t=2259) Blended Learning and Educational Outcomes
- [47:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-11-06-ep-12-why-open-online-courses-are-the-future-of-engineering-education-feat-anant#t=2846) Soft Skills and Career Advancement
- [50:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-11-06-ep-12-why-open-online-courses-are-the-future-of-engineering-education-feat-anant#t=3013) Q&A: Enrollment and Student Advice

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- edX (company)
- MIT (company)
- Purdue (company)
- Georgia Tech (company)
- UT Austin (company)
- San Jose State University (company)
- Rochester Institute of Technology (company)
- Stanford (company)
- Harvard (company)
- Mass General Hospital (company)
- University of Maryland (company)
- All About Circuits (company)
- EETech Media (company)
- CircuitLab (tool)

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- [The Walmart Greeter of Electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-09-18-the-walmart-greeter-of-electronics) (The Amp Hour)
- [227: Half of Everything Is Wrong](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-12-21-227-half-of-everything-is-wrong) (Embedded.fm)
- [237: How Higher Education Is Shaping the Future of Manufacturing with MIT's Dr. John Liu](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-05-20-237-how-higher-education-is-shaping-the-future-of-manufacturing-with-mits-dr-joh) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Dean Michael Jensen | Developing People, & How An Engineering Degree Can Be Used Beyond Engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-06-16-dean-michael-jensen-developing-people-how-an-engineering-degree-can-be-used-beyo) (Being an Engineer)
- [How Soft Skills Drive High-Impact Engineering Teams w/ Aaron Moncur](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-08-26-how-soft-skills-drive-high-impact-engineering-teams-w-aaron-moncur) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

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