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With thousands of free learning resources across OpenLearn – from quick quizzes and interactive games to full-length online courses – it can be hard to know where to begin. That’s where our Top 10s come in.
These lists give you a real-time snapshot of what’s most popular right now on OpenLearn. Think of them as your shortcut to the hottest topics and most in-demand courses, chosen not by us but by the learners already exploring them.
Whether you want to dip into a bite-sized activity or commit to something bigger, the Top 10s are a great place to start.
Top 10 articles, hubs, interactives and videos
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To lie or not to lie?
A lie’s a lie, right? But what if it wasn’t that simple? This game makes you think about your moral responses to different lies
Take part now3
Level: 1 Introductory
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DIY: Generate your own electricity
Do you want to make your own electricity? Here's a step-by-step guide to making your own generator.
Read now4
Level: 1 Introductory
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Sperm counts
How much sperm does a man make? Would you explode if you don't release your sperm? Explore the male reproductive system in this article and video.
Read now5
Level: 1 Introductory
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Investigating Psychology Interactive
Investigate the conceptual and historical issues in Psychology with this interactive feature.
Take part now6
Level: 1 Introductory
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Free online English Literature / Creative Writing courses
Discover these free English Literature and Creative Writing courses on OpenLearn.
Read now7
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12 famous Confucius quotes on education and learning
What's your favourite Confucius quote on education and learning? Look at these examples...
Take part now8
Level: 1 Introductory
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Which AI Tool Are You? Take Our Fun Personality Quiz
Artificial Intelligence is everywhere but which tool truly matches your personality? Are you a visionary like DALL·E, a chatterbox like ChatGPT, a logic-lover like Github Copilot, or a thinker like Claude? Take our short quiz to find out.
Take part now9
Level: 1 Introductory
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Could you be a code breaker?
Test your problem-solving skills and try to crack our secret messages using clues.
Take part now10
Level: 1 Introductory
Top 10 courses
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Exploring learning disabilities: supporting belonging
This course takes the real-life cases of a number of different people to explore what it is like to have the label ‘learning disability’. The course also considers how it feels to support someone with a learning disability, as a family member, a friend, an advocate or a paid worker. Through these human stories the course considers the ...
Learn more1
Level: 1 Introductory
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Everyday English 1
Improve your essential speaking and listening, reading and writing skills for work, study and everyday life.
Learn more2
Level: 1 Introductory
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Introduction to bookkeeping and accounting
Learn about the essential numerical skills required for accounting and bookkeeping. This free course, Introduction to bookkeeping and accounting, explains the fundamental rules of double-entry bookkeeping and how they are used to produce the balance sheet and the profit and loss account.
Learn more3
Level: 1 Introductory
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Information security
Information security underpins the commercial viability and profitability of enterprises of all sizes and the effectiveness of public sector organisations. This free course begins by explaining why information security and its management are important for any modern organisation and to every individual. You need to be familiar with an ...
Learn more4
Level: 3 Advanced
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Introduction to cyber security: stay safe online
Learn how to spot online threats, keep your information safe and understand key topics like malware, network security and identity theft - helping you stay secure at home, at work, and beyond.
Learn more5
Level: 1 Introductory
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Teaching mathematics
This free course, Teaching mathematics, has been designed for non-specialist mathematics teachers of 8 to 14 year olds, teaching assistants, home schoolers and parents and draws on the established provision of mathematics education at the Open University. It can also be used as Continuing Professional Development by individuals or groups ...
Learn more6
Level: 2 Intermediate
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The science of nutrition and healthy eating
Examine the science behind nutrition, covering aspects of biology, chemistry and physics as well as giving some insight into healthier eating. Reading food labels, choosing healthier foods, hydrating appropriately and understanding how we taste food will allow you to be more informed about the choices you make about the food you eat.
Learn more7
Level: 1 Introductory
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Understanding autism
Learn about autism, one of the most challenging long-term conditions of the century. This free course, Understanding autism, introduces the autism spectrum, how it is experienced by individuals and families, and why it has become a global concern. The course explains how understanding of the autism spectrum and approaches to diagnosis and care ...
Learn more8
Level: 1 Introductory
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Risk management
Recent decades have seen an array of news stories where risk management failings have undermined an organisation and dented the credibility of its management. These failings have led to the demise of some companies – for example Lehman Brothers, World-Com and Enron. Worse than this, in many instances the failings have resulted in deaths and ...
Learn more9
Level: 1 Introductory
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Can renewable energy sources power the world?
We ask the question ‘Can renewable energy sources power the world?’ as a response to the growing awareness that increased use of renewable energy technologies is making a major contribution to global efforts to limit anthropogenic climate change. The course begins by examining the environmental concerns that have caused a rise in interest in ...
Learn more10
Level: 1 Introductory
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