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Languages
Exploring languages and cultures
Explore the multiple relationships between languages and cultures. In this free course you will learn about the benefits and challenges of meeting people from different cultures and the ways in which language and human communities shape each other. You will look at the role of intercultural competence at the workplace, reflect on the use of ...
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Money & Business
Empowering communities
This free course, Empowering communities, discusses the most common forms of community empowerment, and explores the barriers to community empowerment and ways that these can be overcome. It will conclude by looking at crime and criminality: a particular challenge that can arise if communities are not sufficiently empowered and supported.
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Digital & Computing
Digital thinking tools for better decision making
Ever since the very beginning of humanity, tools have played a pivotal role in who we are and what we do. Tools for recording, processing and communicating information have a time-honoured history – from the clay tokens used in Mesopotamia to mechanical calculating machines. The invention of the digital computer has boosted the scale, speed and ...
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Society, Politics & Law
How to read the news
Five tips to help you identify ‘fake news’ and think critically about our media-saturated society.
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level 1: introductory icon
Money & Business
Collaborative problem solving for community safety
This free course, Collaborative problem solving for community safety, offers a range of techniques for community police officers, other community-based public service professionals and members of community groups working to solve problems collaboratively and creatively. It examines some of the ways which OU specialists in creative problem ...
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Health, Sports & Psychology
Is my child being exploited? How to spot the signs
Learn to differentiate between typical child and adolescent development and what could be the signs of child criminal exploitation in this short animation and article.
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Society, Politics & Law
Applying social work law with children and families
This course will introduce you to the law as it applies to social work with children and families in the United Kingdom. You will learn about varying definitions of childhood and family and then explore underpinning principles of the law relating to child rights and parental responsibilities. You will look at the key legislation relating to ...
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Languages
Language in professional life
This free course explores English language use across a range of professions, drawing on audio and video interviews, video footage of different workplaces and short texts for analysis. Over the six weeks, you’ll look at how language is used in branding, English for academic purposes, organisational culture, health communication, speech and ...
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Money & Business
Working in teams
This course will help you consider your experience of working in teams and the different roles you play in them. It will increase your confidence in marketing this key skill to employers as well improve your ability to perform well in teams you are currently part of.
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Digital & Computing
AI Hub
Welcome to the AI Hub from Microsoft and The Open University. Explore free, accessible courses designed to build your confidence and skills in artificial intelligence. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your knowledge, the AI Hub supports your learning journey with expert-led, trusted, easy to-use resources.
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level 1: introductory icon
Digital & Computing
AI fluency
AI fluency is a beginner-friendly learning path designed to build confidence and understanding in artificial intelligence. Through a series of practical sessions, learners explore AI fundamentals, generative AI, responsible AI principles, and the real world impact of AI across work, accessibility, and society. The course also introduces ...
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Money & Business
Diversity and inclusion in the workplace
Do you feel concerned about a lack of diversity in your workplace? Is this something you want to address? Perhaps you’d like to feel more informed on a personal level before taking it further organisationally? This free course introduces you to the benefits and complexities of developing and supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce. It ...