Recently, I came across the Future Learn site (https://www.futurelearn.com/), which promises to offer a diverse selection of courses from leading universities and cultural institutions from around the world. Each of their courses are delivered one step at a time, and are accessible on mobile, tablet and desktop, so you can fit learning around your life.
Future Learn are a private company wholly owned by The Open University, with the benefit of over 40 years of their experience in distance learning and online education in the United Kingdom and internationally.
They work with partners from the UK, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, which include many of the best UK and international universities, as well as institutions with a huge archive of cultural and educational material, such as the British Council, the British Library, the British Museum, and the National Film and Television School.
Additionally, they work with a range of internationally renowned organisations – from professional bodies such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), to businesses like the BBC and Marks & Spencer, to the UK Government.
The benefits that Future Learn offers are to:
- Learn online for free
Choose a high quality free course from a range of topics; from Science & Technology to Arts & Humanities, from Body & Mind to Business & Management. - Learn step by step
Their online courses are designed to fit around your life, with short activities and clear goals to encourage you to make progress at a comfortable rate that suits you. - Learn from the experts
Educators from top UK and international universities have created videos, articles and quizzes to inspire you, and will lead discussions and debates. - Learn from each other
Courses are designed to provoke questions and stimulate debate, so that learning becomes as easy and natural as chatting with a group of friends.
Currently, there are environmental and sustainability courses available under the Nature and Environment theme comprising:
Elements of Renewable Energy (Starting 12 January 2015)
Make an Impact: Sustainability for professionals (Starting 12 January 2015)
Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions (Starting 12 January 2015)
Shale Gas and Fracking: The Politics and Science (Starting 2 February 2015)
Introduction to Ecosystems (Starting 16 February 2015)
Water for Liveable and Resilient Cities (Starting 2 March 2015)
The providers of the above courses can offer certificates as a “Statement of Participation”, which recognises that you have taken a course on Future Learn.
To enrol on a course, you will need to click on the “Join Now” button at the bottom of any of the above courses & create an account using your email address.
Do try one of the above courses and I welcome your feedback on your experience.