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smallhobbitFour FutureLearn courses over the last couple of months:
Why Do People Migrate: Facts (European University Institute (EUI)) This course looks at the history of migration and then considers specific examples, both of refugees and labour migration. A reminder that one size does not fit all and that the choice to leave one's own country isn't taken lightly.
The History of Protest in Aotearoa New Zealand (Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa) A very interesting new course, looking at a variety of reasons for protest, including Maori land rights, civil rights in general, including women's rights and labour rights, to nuclear protests and various environmental protests. I particularly appreciated the way an extra week was added to the course simply to allow those taking part more than one week to cover the final week of the course.
Become a Better Presenter: Improve Your Public Speaking Skills (Royal Observatory Greenwich) I found I knew quite a lot of the content, although I liked the idea of telling a 'story' through the talk, which is something I shall make use of when I'm speaking on behalf of our charity. For me there was too much talk about how to speak and little demonstration of people actually doing this. Partly this was because it was created during lockdown, but I felt it needed revising.
A History of Tudor Entertainment (Historic Royal Palaces) Very much concentrating on Hampton Court, with a little from the Tower of London. I felt some of the discussion questions were designed for school children, e.g. 'what sports do you like to do'. This was a new course, plenty of videos but served to emphasis if you were the king/queen at the time you could do what you wanted.
I've taken the opportunity to slim down my wishlist, so I now only have 5 courses on it (3 of which aren't currently running), although I continue to keep an eye out for any new courses which become available.
Intermediate French: Understanding Spoken French (OpenLearn) The last of my French courses over the summer, which convinced me that this was as far as I wanted to go. I did use my French when on holiday, although my ability to order food in the evenings was rather limited. However, I impressed one of my fellow travellers by going into a boulangerie and checking we could eat there - and I managed to buy my lunches without difficulty, so a success overall!
Myths in Law (OpenLearn) A new course, looking at some of the truths and myths about law courts. It was a short course, but didn't hurt as a reminder that not everything is as seen on television.
I have selected four OpenLearn badged courses to work my way through until the end of April (which will tie up with one of my goals for this year). Each course lasts 8 weeks and really requires that amount of time to progress though all the information and make a good attempt at the weekly tests - not to mention to two compulsory tests in order to gain the badges. I enjoy doing them because it does mean I have to concentrate and think rather than skirt over the subject.
Why Do People Migrate: Facts (European University Institute (EUI)) This course looks at the history of migration and then considers specific examples, both of refugees and labour migration. A reminder that one size does not fit all and that the choice to leave one's own country isn't taken lightly.
The History of Protest in Aotearoa New Zealand (Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa) A very interesting new course, looking at a variety of reasons for protest, including Maori land rights, civil rights in general, including women's rights and labour rights, to nuclear protests and various environmental protests. I particularly appreciated the way an extra week was added to the course simply to allow those taking part more than one week to cover the final week of the course.
Become a Better Presenter: Improve Your Public Speaking Skills (Royal Observatory Greenwich) I found I knew quite a lot of the content, although I liked the idea of telling a 'story' through the talk, which is something I shall make use of when I'm speaking on behalf of our charity. For me there was too much talk about how to speak and little demonstration of people actually doing this. Partly this was because it was created during lockdown, but I felt it needed revising.
A History of Tudor Entertainment (Historic Royal Palaces) Very much concentrating on Hampton Court, with a little from the Tower of London. I felt some of the discussion questions were designed for school children, e.g. 'what sports do you like to do'. This was a new course, plenty of videos but served to emphasis if you were the king/queen at the time you could do what you wanted.
I've taken the opportunity to slim down my wishlist, so I now only have 5 courses on it (3 of which aren't currently running), although I continue to keep an eye out for any new courses which become available.
Intermediate French: Understanding Spoken French (OpenLearn) The last of my French courses over the summer, which convinced me that this was as far as I wanted to go. I did use my French when on holiday, although my ability to order food in the evenings was rather limited. However, I impressed one of my fellow travellers by going into a boulangerie and checking we could eat there - and I managed to buy my lunches without difficulty, so a success overall!
Myths in Law (OpenLearn) A new course, looking at some of the truths and myths about law courts. It was a short course, but didn't hurt as a reminder that not everything is as seen on television.
I have selected four OpenLearn badged courses to work my way through until the end of April (which will tie up with one of my goals for this year). Each course lasts 8 weeks and really requires that amount of time to progress though all the information and make a good attempt at the weekly tests - not to mention to two compulsory tests in order to gain the badges. I enjoy doing them because it does mean I have to concentrate and think rather than skirt over the subject.
