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Health, Sports & Psychology
Critically exploring psychology
This free course introduces you to critical thinking as a tool for psychology. As you work your way through the course you will learn what critical thinking is, and why it is important to use in the study of psychology. In particular, it will help you to think about how to use it when doing independent research. This OpenLearn course is an...
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Education & Development
AI matters
Artificial Intelligence (AI) represents great opportunity, but also significant disruption for modern societies and cultures. This free online short course investigates the historical, ethical and social issues surrounding this technology. It is aimed at people interested in understanding where this technology has come from, the kinds of ...
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Health, Sports & Psychology
So, you want to be a nurse? A brief introduction to nursing
This free course, So you want to be a nurse? A brief introduction to nursing, provides an overview of what nursing entails. Focusing on nursing in the UK specifically, but also looking at its place globally, you will learn about the four fields of nursing in the UK, what nurse training involves, as well as what makes a great nurse. This ...
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Languages
Describing language
This free course introduces you to the basics of describing language. Using examples from English, you’ll learn how words are built, how they fit together to make sentences, and what labels like noun, verb and adjective mean. You’ll see how language patterns in regular ways and how the meaning of a sentence is more than the sum of its parts. ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
What do scientists really do? My experience interviewing researchers
Inka Maskiewicz, a Year 11 student, interviews scientists at AstrobiologyOU and the School of Physical Sciences at The Open University. These videos explain what they research and do at the university...
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Health, Sports & Psychology
What do we need to know about our memory?
Our brain changes as we age, but are there any ways we can improve our memory and thinking skills? This article explores...
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Education & Development
Essential skills for OU study
Feeling prepared for your module? Our short collection of free courses covers the essential skills to get the most from your studies.
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OpenLearn Ireland
About Transition to Higher Education in Northern Ireland
Free resources from The Open University to help you take your first steps into higher education in Northern Ireland.
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Science, Maths & Technology
An introduction to computers and computer systems
This free course, An introduction to computers and computer systems, challenges how we view computers through the examples of processors in kitchen scales and digital cameras, as well as examining the work of art that, at heart, is a computer. You will also explore how computers are connected together to achieve even more than when working alone.
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Education & Development
How can I cope with exam stress
The exam period brings with it extra challenges - but if you manage your stress, you can make it through. Teena Clouston has some tips, and you may turn your papers over now.
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Health, Sports & Psychology
Innovation in health and social care practice
This free course, Innovation in health and social care practice, focuses on how digital technology and innovation changes the expectations and job roles for health and social care practitioners. You will learn about what these expectations might be on practitioners and also about common responses and criticisms that may arise from transforming ...
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History & The Arts
Sharpening Your Critical Thinking
What can you do to sharpen up your critical thinking? Mark Pinder and Paul-François Tremlett explain a few things to keep in mind when assessing other people’s arguments, and also when offering your own.