MOOCs - Massive Open Online Courses... Free education!

[Cortone]

Well, I did think about posting about some of these earlier, but thought everyone would know about these. It seems that is not the case.

MOOCs are prepared mainly by academic institutions. Some are based around material that has been available e.g. on Youtube (like Michael Sandel's course on Justice, some of which was also on Radio 4). You can study these free, but you can often p*y a small amount to get certification for the work you have done. Many providers offer assistance if you have no money.

So, these allow you to at least build or gain insight, understanding, etc., and you can get free certificates of participation on some courses. However, those which offer a credit route allow you to be assessed to gain academic credits, which can go into a learning portfolio, but these are often chargeable. Often it is a small amount - £25 or so. But there are often scholarships. And you can view these all free. At least for the moment.

Now the reason for posting this was I thought people know about these. I have started several, but only completed a couple and none for academic credit. Some have been very good, others interesting or informative. Some are compelling, but others are not. Others have lost me intellectually, or with lack of interest in content.

The main providers are canvas, coursera, EdX, Futurelearn, MITx, Openlearn, etc. (google these and MOOC). (Indeed, Google MOOC, or these names)

I am doing one just now on Philosophy and film (under 50 participants, although there could be more lurkers like me) https://www.canvas.net/courses/philosophy-and-film - which is studying inception, the Birds, Hunger Games, etc. to look at the philosophical underpinnings of these (a bit beyond me!). My first MOOC - which I dropped out of in week 2, had 40000 participants. Some run continuously, but others have fixed start dates. Some offer subtitles or foreign language options.

For me, the best so far is https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/int ... ic-science which follows the dramatised murder investigation. ( Like a good murder investigation series.) I was hooked! But there are others which are necessary updating, not thrilling, but keep me current on key issues. I failed miserably to understand one on Film and education (too much into visual image for me), and gave up on one of the best rated (from Warwick University on Behavioral Sciences) because I thought it basic/simplistic/patronising, but I know others who have said it is their favourite. Another on sustainable green business bored me. There is one from (I think) from MIT on how to make an app, etc. so if you have an angry birds type idea, this is for you.

Well, that's it. Sorry it is a bit heavy, but I thought everyone knew about these, but am learning this is not the case.

I am sure everyone can find a mooc on something interesting, if they want to learn something new. Including bake off stuff!

Enjoy.... (or move on to something that you enjoy!)

[steve9872]

Interesting, I just registered for this https://www.coursera.org/course/bigbang as I know a lot already.

[Cortone]

Have to say that this was not one I would have chosen, but it looks ideal for you. :-)

Also thought maybe for allsinging's son - for another of your post-movie discussions! :-)

[SOLACE]

This is EXCELLENT Cortone ! I didnt know about this and have forwarded on to some people already, Thank you so much !

[Diane65]

Thanks for this Cortone. I have actually been to a lecture with Professor Jim Fraser from https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/int ... ic-science and it was scary stuff. We regularly check the wear marks on people's shoes to assess how they are walking/running but never actually related it to the scene of a crime and interestingly with digital technology it is a massive tool in solving serious crimes. A very captivating lecturer.

[Sunny Saver]

Yes, a criminal may wear another's shoes to try and frame them or just to hide shoe size, but from footprints/tread you can tell if it was really him wearing it. Just read the latest Peter James .

[weliveandbreathewords]

Many huge thanks for this post Cortone!
I've just signed myself up for "Start writing fiction"! Which starts at the end of October
cant do me any harm if it's free and i'm already writing! :))

[seven77]

Thanks Cortone ...I hadn't heard of some of those providers....just signed up for a futurelearn one....

[Rainey]

Open University offer some free courses too.

http://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses

[vw182]

Thanks Cortone! Just finished uni and not ready to give up learning yet so these will be brilliant to do on the side while i'm figuring out what to do with my life! Just signed up for 'Shipwrecks and submerged worlds' as well as Introduction to journalism!