Why the university of the future will have no classrooms, no lectures, and lots of tech

By Alison DeNisco  | October 3, 2016, 11:48 AM PST

Former MIT dean Christine Ortiz is building a radical nonprofit research institution focused on the intersection of technology and humanity, to increase college access for underprivileged students.

Imagine a university without classrooms, lectures, disciplinary departments, or majors.

Such is the goal of Dr. Christine Ortiz, former dean for graduate education at MIT, who is using technology to build a new kind of residential research institution from the ground up. At IdeaFestival 2016, Ortiz explained that universities are not keeping up with technology advances, or adequately preparing students for life in the 21st century. She is laying out a plan to change that.

"Technology is accelerating, and modernization and expansion of the higher education system is desperately needed," Ortiz said. "Our higher education system is still stuck in the Middle Ages."

Our current university system has not changed significantly in over 1000 years, Ortiz said. So she and her colleagues are building a nonprofit university that:

• focuses on the transdisciplinary interface between

The Best Builds Of 2016 Redux: Call For Submissions

We kicked off our Best PC Builds feature last year and showcased what the Tom’s Hardware community could assemble within defined budgets and build scenarios. Not only did it let our forum members show off their skills at picking hardware for new PCs, it also gave novice PC builders a resource filled with quality computer components to choose from.

But the computer industry never sits still. While little has changed in the CPU world since we first published the Best PC Builds guide, the entire GPU market has been re-energized by a new wave of graphics processors.

The GPUs from AMD and Nvidia (Polaris and Pascal, respectively) contain numerous improvements, including architectural enhancements, the move to 14/16 nm FinFET transistor technology, and support for faster memory technologies, like GDDR5X and 8 GHz GDDR5.

These graphics processors are also fairly inexpensive, which has also forced the industry to drop the price on previous generation graphics hardware to keep it competitive and relevant.

In other words, the new GPUs introduce sufficient changes in performance and price that it’s now time to revisit all of our Best PC Builds.

Build submissions do not have to use one of these new GPUs, but in several places the latest offerings will dictate some changes, while price reductions on older hardware should give users more options on budget-oriented builds, including some wiggle room on other components.

We will accept build submissions until August 19. All builds must be submitted in one of the forum sections linked to below. We won’t consider builds that go over the budget. Please note that all parts must be selected from Amazon or Newegg, and must not include any limited-time pricing offers or rebates.

Best Build Under $500

Best VR-Ready Build Under $750

Best $1000 Build

Best $1000 Mini-ITX Build Under $1000

Best $1250 Build

Best $1500 Build

Best $2000 Build

Best VR-Ready Build Under $2500

Happy Building!

9 Essential Windows Apps for Students

checked out of the library. However, all is not lost if you find yourself in this situation — an app called OverDrive might be able to help you out.

Download the app and link it with your library card to gain access to a collection of thousands of eBooks. While some of the texts that you need won’t be available via OverDrive, it’s definitely worth having installed on one of your devices just in case.

7. WolframAlpha to Research Facts and Figures

Whether you’re studying maths, biology, physics, chemistry, history, computer science, engineering, or just about anything else, WolframAlpha has facts and figures that will make your life easier.20 Ways Everyday Life is Easier with Wolfram Alpha 20 Ways Everyday Life is Easier with Wolfram AlphaThere is something about Wolfram Alpha. It makes complicated computations cool again. Here are 20 ways to put the engine to everyday use.READ MORE

In development over the past quarter of a century, WolframAlpha has been compared to the ultra-smart computers used on Star Trek. The app puts a wealth of knowledge in the palm of your hand, answering questions ranging from “what is the capital of Peru?W to “how many meters are in a mile?”

WolframAlpha is an app that everyone should have access to — but if you’re a student, you’re sure to find it useful sooner rather than later.

8. Microsoft Office to Create and Edit Documents

Regardless of what courses you’re taking, it’s well worth having Microsoft Office (CA, UK) at your disposal. Word will help you produce essays with pristine citations, Excel is great whether you’re studying maths or just in need of an organizational spreadsheet, and PowerPoint should be the first port of call if you need to deliver a presentation to your classmates.

The advent of Windows 10 has made it easier than ever to use Office across all your devices. An active Office 365 subscription will let you install the suite of programs on your PC, your phone, and your tablet.How to Save Your Office 2016 Documents to the Cloud How to Save Your Office 2016 Documents to the CloudStore and organize your files in the cloud. Use cloud services like OneDrive,Dropbox, and Google Drive to make your files available anywhere and to anyone.READ MORE

Of course, a subscription that costs $99 per year might not fit into the budget of every student. Fortunately, Google Docs is an excellent, free replacement for anyone that wants to keep their spending to a minimum. There are also several ways to get a free version of Word if you don’t need the entire Office suite.

9. Netflix to Relax

Realistically, Netflix — or at least another comparable streaming service — is an essential app for just about everyone, student or otherwise.10 Niche Streaming Services for Those Who Hate Netflix 10 Niche Streaming Services for Those Who Hate NetflixMainstream streaming services carry mainstream content. What can you do if you want to watch something a little less conventional? You're better off checking out these alternative streaming services packed full of niche content.READ MORE

It’s important to make sure that your binge-watching doesn’t interfere with your studies. However, there’s certainly a place for recreation in a productive academic schedule. It’s OK to take breaks!

Doing something fun and relaxing in your downtime can help maintain your concentration when you’re in class or at the library.

Would you recommend any other essential Windows apps for students? Or are you looking for a piece of software to fit a particular academic purpose? Either way, why not join the discussion in the comments section below.