Basic science: understanding numbers
This free course Basic science understanding numbers explains how you can use numbers to describe the natural world and make sense of everything from atoms to oceans
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
02 Nov 2018
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Creative writing and critical reading
This free course Creative writing and critical reading explores the importance of reading as part of a creative writers development at the postgraduate level You will gain inspiration and ideas from examining other writers methods as well as enhancing your critical reading skills Examples will cover the genres of fiction creative nonfiction poetry and scriptwriting
Level: 3 Advanced
Updated on:
05 Sep 2019
Energy in buildings
Themes covered in this free course Energy in buildings include reducing heating demand in buildings heating systems and fuel emissions and reducing electricity use by appliances The course looks at the importance of energy in buildings in the UK investigate heat loss and how to prevent it ways of increasing building efficiency decreasing CO2 emissions of different fuels and the use of efficient appliances
Level: 3 Advanced
Updated on:
14 Nov 2018
The athlete’s journey: transitions through sport
By Candice Lingam-Willgoss, Dr Caroline Heaney
The athletes journey through sport can be characterised by several transitions and periods of change This course is designed to help you understand that journey whether in reference to a professional or recreational athlete and the nature of support they may need at different times The course also provides practical guidance whether you support athletes as a coach or parent or whether you are an athlete yourself and draws on a wealth of case study and audiovisual material to bring the athletes journey to life
Learn: The athlete’s journey: transitions through sport more
Level: 2 Intermediate
Updated on:
26 Oct 2020
Listening to young children: supporting transition
In this free course Listening to young children supporting transition you will explore ways of listening to children in order to support their experiences of changes or transitions Such transitions can involve many dimensions including familiarisation with new cultural practices the development of new relationships and potentially a shift in identity for example from being a nursery child to being a pupil During the course you will explore how listening to children as they go through such fundamental transitions can enable adults to personalise support and ensure children can become confident active participants in a new setting
Learn: Listening to young children: supporting transition more
Level: 2 Intermediate
Updated on:
11 Jul 2019
Aquatic mammals
Mammals come in a bewildering variety of shapes and sizes and yet all of the 4700 or so species have some characteristics in common which justifies the inclusion of diverse types within a single group Although mammals evolved on land a number of species have become adapted to spending part or all of their lives in water and it is these mammals that you are going to concentrate on in this course You will meet some aquatic mammals find out how we can study them consider their evolutionary history and read about human impacts on one iconic group
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
25 Mar 2020
Business communication: writing a SWOT analysis
This free course Business communication writing a SWOT analysis is designed to develop your writing skills for business You will be taken step by step through the process of writing a SWOT analysis with clear advice on selecting key information from a case study text making concise notes choosing an appropriate structure and using language effectively You will learn how to write a formal report including recommendations based on a case study analysis of the British company Brompton Bicycle
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
07 Jun 2018
Discovering music through listening
This free course Discovering music through listening will introduce you to the musical elements used by musicians to create a piece of music pulse tempo metre harmony structure texture timbre and dynamics Youll learn how to identify the different musical elements by taking a particular approach to listening to the music known as close listening Alongside developing your listening skills you will learn how to explain what you hear using technical language
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
22 Jul 2020
Accessibility of eLearning
It is part of a teaching professionals skills to understand the needs of a diverse population of students This free course Accessibility of eLearning introduces the challenges for disabled students who may use computers in different ways when taking part in eLearning or may need alternative teaching methods It covers the technology and techniques used by disabled students the adjustments to teaching methods that might be reasonable design decisions which affect the accessibility of eLearning tools and strategies for evaluation
Level: 3 Advanced
Updated on:
12 Oct 2018
Managing my money
This free course Managing my money allows you to gain the skills to manage your personal finances managing budgets debts investments property purchase pensions and insurance
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
12 Feb 2020
Exploring depression
This free advanced level course Exploring depression serves as an introduction to masters level study in neurosciences and mental health Focusing on depression you will consider key issues concerning diagnosis causes and interventionsYou will also begin to explore theoretical models biological and psychological explanations and look at a range of pharmacological and psychological therapies for depression
Level: 3 Advanced
Updated on:
19 Jul 2019
Mathematics for science and technology
Maths is intimately entwined with science and technology whether it is used to analyse data collected on plants in the Amazon rainforest to calculate the trajectory of a comet or design a bridge to connect two countries This means that science and technology go handinhand with maths and that a firm grasp of maths is crucial for studying any science and technology discipline This free course Maths for science and technology will help you build a stronger grip with the maths helping hand Youll learn about how the power of algebra the sense of scientific notation the beauty of basic trigonometry and why 70 db decibels is 10 times more powerful than 60 db As well as this you will delve into scientific measurement including the importance of units and the flexibility and practically of the SI the internationally recognised system of units based on multiples of ten
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
20 Jan 2020
Inclusive education: Knowing what we mean
This free course Inclusive education Knowing what we mean introduces you to the contested area of educational inclusion You will look at differing perspectives on inclusion in particular the way that medical and social models have influenced and shaped current thinking You will also think about barriers to inclusion and the difference between integration and inclusion In addition you will consider some of the key documents such as the Salamanca Statement that underpin current thinking in this area
Level: 3 Advanced
Updated on:
17 Feb 2016
Introducing social work: a starter kit
This free course Introducing social work a starter kitprovides a glimpse into some of the things that social workers do and looks at why and how social work is done The course is designed for people who might be interested in and curious about social work practice It will also be a useful initial resource for those who may be thinking about entering the social work profession at some point in the future
Level: 3 Advanced
Updated on:
15 Apr 2020
Coping in isolation: Time to Think
In 2020 as millions worldwide face prolonged periods of social isolation what can you learn about coping from Open University graduates who studied while imprisoned in the Maze and Long Kesh prison during the years of conflict in and about Northern Ireland In this free course David and Michael two Open University graduates reflect on the current COVID19 lockdown and their study experiences while imprisoned in the 1970s and 1980s and offer ways to adjust to the current pressures facing people across the globe
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
28 Apr 2020
Facilitating group discussions
Gain an insight into facilitating meetings and discussions in the workplace In this free course Facilitating group discussions you will look at some of the behaviours effective facilitators exhibit Informative and engaging videos will introduce you to examples of facilitation in practice
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
08 May 2019
Advanced French: At the science museum in Paris
Using the topic of science and technology in France this free course Advanced French At the science museum in Paris will show you how to structure arguments write a summary use the subjunctive report numbers and express wishes in French
Level: 3 Advanced
Updated on:
17 May 2019
Computers and computer systems
Computers and processors are ubiquitous in everyday life and theyre not only found in your PC This free course Computers and computer systems introduces the different parts of a computer system and their use of binary code Using the examples of kitchen scales a digital camera and a computer artwork the course with the help of flowcharts discusses how computers process data and instructions THIS COURSE WAS UPDATED ON 2072018
Level: 2 Intermediate
Updated on:
20 Jul 2018
The American Civil Rights Movement
In this free course The American Civil Rights Movement you will learn about the mass movement for racial equality in the United States that reached its zenith during the 1950s and 1960s During this turbulent period in United States history black Americans sought to overturn deeply entrenched systems of racial segregation and discrimination This course discusses the key events in this campaign for social justice drawing on a wide range of primary sources In doing so it assesses the achievements shortcomings and revolutionary qualities of the civil rights movement Use of racial language and terms This course deals with topics involving racial issues Since the societies being studied were characterised by deeplyheld and widespread racist views this course contains language that is also racist Although these may provoke a strong personal response we believe it is necessary to engage with such attitudes to reach a clear understanding of the past This OpenLearn course is an adapted extract from the Open University course A113 Revolutions
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
29 Sep 2020
What children and young people say
This free course What children and young people say looks at how practitioners and other adults talk to children and young people and considers how this influences what they tell us It identifies how children and young people would prefer to be engaged with what would encourage their confidence in authority figures and outlines the ways in which adults can improve on their listening techniques
Level: 2 Intermediate
Updated on:
16 Feb 2016
Speeches and speech-making
This free course Speeches and speechmaking explores an aspect of language use where voices and texts converge the art of speechmaking
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
07 May 2019
Learning how to learn
Learning how to learn a process we all engage in throughout our lives but no single method of learning guarantees success This free course Learning how to learn aims to make the process of learning much more explicit by inviting you to apply various ideas and activities to your own study as a way of increasing your awareness of your own learning Most learning has to be an active process and this is particularly true of learning how to learn
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
10 Jul 2019
Making sense of ourselves
This free course Making sense of ourselves introduces you to wellknown psychological topics by asking and answering everyday questions such as Why dont we like one another Why would I hang around with you Do you see what I see Whats the point of childhood Youll learn how psychologists can go about addressing these questions using different research tools and approaches
Level: 2 Intermediate
Updated on:
03 Apr 2020
Understanding children: Babies being heard
In this free course Understanding children Babies being heard you will find out some of the things that very young babies can do You will also discover how babies can contribute to family life and relationships from birth You will look at what they need from other adults and children and what they can learn
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
08 Apr 2018
Introduction to critical criminology
This free course Introduction to critical criminology provides a brief introduction to critical criminological thinking It defines the ways in which critical criminologists take a critical stance on the fundamental concepts practices and institutions associated with crime and criminal justice systems
Level: 3 Advanced
Updated on:
19 Jul 2018
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