Courses - September/October 2025

[smallhobbit]

FutureLearn

The Power of Languages (University of York)
A look at how languages shape culture and identity.  Of reasonable interest, but I found I already knew quite a lot of what was said, having picked it up from other courses and elsewhere.

Critical Approaches to Film (Film Distributors' Association)
Although I don't go to the cinema very often, I do find the FDA's courses very interesting.  This one looked at film criticism, not just at the critics who recommend (or not) a film, but also the analysis of films.  My own feeling is that if I'm analysing a film as I'm watching it, it's not the film for me, but having a better idea of why certain things worked or didn't work when I look back afterwards is interesting.


OpenLearn

Getting Started with German 1
Basic revision prior to going on holiday next April.  It never hurts to be reminded of things.

Citizen Science & Global Biodiversity
An eight week badged course.  Having been doing a few things which can be called Citizen Science (bird counts and butterfly counts) I thought taking the course might be interesting.  There were a number of areas which would be more applicable if I had more time for commitment, but it was worth taking to understand the relevance of counts by citizen scientists.  And I joined Zooniverse, so I now participate in Penguin Watch - counting penguins via the computer.

Beginners' Chinese: A taster course
I have no wish to learn Chinese (far too complicated), but I have a course on China coming up, so I used this to provide background information.

Neighbourhood Nature
A really short course which was signposted from the Citizen Science one.  Really about the age of plants, especially trees, in various locations, and the importance ancient trees have in promoting biodiversity.


Deutsch fur dich

My main German studies have been concentrated on short teaching videos by the Goethe Institut.  I've taken 20 of these videos and have some more lined up for when I've finished the OpenLearn courses.

Comments

[thatjustwontbreak]

Well done! Penguin watch sounds fun.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. Counting penguins can be quite a challenge when there are so many altogether - especially when there are other birds with them.

[rusty_armour]

I always think it's wonderful how many FutureLearn and OpenLearn courses you take. It's too bad you weren't able to get more out of The Power of Languages, but I'm glad you felt that the Critical Approaches to Film (Film Distributors' Association) course was worthwhile. I'm a bit of a film geek, so I suspect that course would be right up my street.

It's good that you're brushing up on your German before your trip in April. I admire your courage in tackling Chinese! What a great idea to use that as preparation for your upcoming course on China.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much. It certainly helps keep my brain active and while not all of it is directly relevant, the more I do the more I find things which link together.