With many of us spending way more time at home during this COVID-19 crisis, it makes sense to use it as an opportunity to build our skillset and deepen our knowledge. Over the past few months, there’s been a sharp increase in the numbers of people turning to online learning platforms such as, Coursera and FutureLearn, which offer “Massive Open Online Courses” – or MOOCs.
Devoting some of our time at home to learning a new subject or skill makes sense. Besides helping to bolster your career during this economic uncertainty, learning a new skill can give you a sense of control that will help cope with any pandemic anxiety.
All you need to undertake a MOOC is an Internet connection. Unlike other courses they are free of charge and a typical MOOC lasts six to eight weeks. At the end you may choose to receive a certificate of completion for a small fee. Your study on a MOOC takes place entirely online, through videos, discussions, quizzes, and reading and research activities.
Choosing a course
To choose the right course for you, look for those covering the subject you are interested in or the skill you’re looking to develop professionally. If you are looking to gain credentials, many of the certificate programs are accredited by universities or organisations – look out for this information on the course information pages or check whether employers or institutions recognise the qualification before you sign up. Also, read through the course syllabus to make sure the course covers the topics you need, and check the difficulty of the course matches your level.
We have developed a wide range of MOOC’s too, bringing The University of Manchester’s teaching to a global audience – you can access them here through Coursera and FutureLearn