Are you interested in “Learning for Life” ? The FutureLearn initiative, endorsed by the Third Age Trust, offers a diverse selection of free, high quality online courses over the Internet to audiences across the world.
Horsley U3A members have already completed several courses and you can read their reviews of courses on Cyber Security ("Essential cyber security knowledge and skills that help protect your digital life"), Astronomy ("Moons of the Solar system”), Psychology (“Good Brain, Bad Brain"), Forensic Science and Criminal Justice ("Sleuth School"), and the Environment and Sustainability ("Global Food Security").
FutureLearn courses are currently free to participants. Teaching materials (articles, presentations, and short videos) are displayed on the FutureLearn website, and participants use email, web logs (blogs) and discussion forums to interact with the course tutors and discuss topics with fellow participants. Courses are available on an eclectic range of subjects and usually run for 3 to 6 weeks at a time, each week’s study taking 2 to 3 hours of effort; the work can be done at any time of day or night to suit the student. Courses are delivered one step at a time, and are equally accessible by smartphone, iPad or Android tablet computer, or conventional personal computer or laptop.
FutureLearn is the brainchild of an international consortium of English-speaking universities and world-renowned institutions including the British Library, and the British Museum.
Course topics include the arts, life and social sciences, technology, and business.
Some courses are designed for individual study; others could form the basis for Activity Group learning and discussion. For further details go to: www.futurelearn.com.