This page covers four different categories, amongst others, of on-line learning facilities that are available :
- Massive Open On-line Courses (MOOCs)
- Technology, Education, Design (TED)
- The Great Courses
- Language Courses
The last section covers advice from the main U3A and also access to Case studies of using these on-line facilities by other U3As
Massive Open On-line Courses (MOOCs)
MOOCS offer university-level courses without the need to complete an entire programme of studies.
While most courses are free, some are fee-paying. Videos are normally short and much activity takes place on online discussion groups and forums.
Click on the MOOCs link to find out more.
In 2012 the Open University launched FutureLearn, partnering with more than 20 UK and international universities and other institutions such as the British Council, the British Library and the British Museum to provide on line MOOCs. FutureLearn is a private company which is wholly owned by the Open University
Click on the FutureLearn link to find out more.
Technology, Education, Design (TED)
TED is a non-profit organisation aimed at spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference on the convergence of Technology, Entertainment and Design. Today it covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages.
They also arrange TEDx events to help share ideas in communities around the world.
Click on the TED link to find out more.
The Great Courses
The Great Courses (TGC) is a series of college-level audio and video courses produced and distributed by The Teaching Company based in Virginia, USA. These course are not free. The company was founded in 1990 by Thomas M. Rollins, former Chief Counsel of the United States Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
The series differ from most online learning platforms in that they are produced for self-enrichment purposes only and offered without schedules, homework, exams, or certificates.
Click on the Great courses link to find out more.
There are many on-line courses available on-line.
Some are free and some can be quite expensive.
Many can be found by searching for 'language courses or 'languages online'
A link to a free example called 'Duo Lingo' is given below. Several members of the SU3A K2 Spanish group use it.
To reach the Duo Ling site which covers many different languages click on Duo Lingo and try it out for free.
General U3A Advice on on-line learning and Case studies from other U3As
The U3A has set up a website about on-line learning / MOOCS (Massive Open On-line Courses). It also provides case study information on how other other U3A groups have used these courses. They have been used in quite different ways. For example some Groups with interest in History, Science and Literature etc. have watched the courses as a group as part of their meeting or have alternatively watched them individually and then met to discuss the course.
Click on MOOCS and U3A case studies to find out more.