1 Before you begin your study

During the course of this course, your study will involve following links to external websites and resources. In places the material is open-ended in what it asks you to do. In addition, there are several optional activities that may interest you at the end of this part to allow you to explore this topic in more detail. Aim to spend about eight hours in total on the core material.

In places the material relies on your exploring a variety of online active tools for yourself. Some of the suggested tools may require you to register for an account. If you do register a new account on these services, take care not to share personal information you are uncomfortable with sharing, and do not reuse a password that you use elsewhere.

If a service requires an email verification before you can use the service, you could if you wish use a disposable email address (search for ‘disposable email address’ using your favourite search engine). These email addresses last long enough for you to pick up an email that is sent to them immediately, but then they disappear. Note that if you register with a service using a disposable email address and want to reuse that service at a later date, it will not be able to email you a replacement password if you have forgotten the one you originally registered with.

If a service asks for a date of birth for no particularly good reason, you could if you wish invent a ‘web birthday’ for yourself: a date you can remember that is not your real birthday.