7 Free Online Courses in August
With a disastrous heatwave one must reconsider the idea of summer walks and sunbathing. I myself am a creature of the night – and August is a perfect month to admire night skies with the Perseid meteor shower (in my place it will be the night between 12 and 13 August, you may check your place here). But apart from stargazing, August is the month that gives you “back-to-school” feeling. I used to love it when I was a schoolgirl, it meant friends, longer evenings to whisper your secrets, bonfire time and calm. Alas, I grew up and there are no longer summer holidays for me – but August makes me feel somewhat eager to learn.
Let me take you on my journey through the interesting online courses where you’ll certainly find something interesting for yourself!
1 Astrobiology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life by the University of Edinburgh
Starts: 6.08.2018
Duration: 5 weeks
For whom: people who are looking for the truth Out There
If stargazing is a trifle too conventional for you, this course will be a perfect choice for you, as you will study the Unknown, the prospects for life on other planetary bodies in our Solar System and how do we go about searching for it. You might start looking for a good old E.T. and end up with finding the Funghi from Yuggoth, so be careful what you wish for…
2 Improve Your Intercultural Competence by Purdue University
Starts: 6.08.2018
Duration: 4 weeks
For whom: people looking to improve their intercultural skills
Being the teachers, good inter-cultural communication and an understanding of cultural differences are very important in our work. This course will help you develop the skills and acquire the knowledge needed to meet the global challenges. You will also learn to succeed in a diverse workplace and appreciate the value of cultural differences. It’s a great course not only for us to study but to pass it on to our students.
3 Presentation skills: Speechwriting and Storytelling by National Research Tomsk State University
Starts: 6.08.2018
Duration: 6 weeks
For whom: people who want to make their presentations and speeches coherent and logical
This course takes a systematic approach, focusing on the content of a presentation. You will learn how to structure your ideas, facts and data into a logical convincing story using a narrative structure. This course covers fundamentals of scriptwriting, packing, argumentation and language. If you think of joining TED-ed with your students, this course may be a great help.
4 Study UK: a Guide for Education Agents and Counsellors by the British Council
Starts: 6.08.2018
Duration: 3 weeks
For whom: people counselling students looking to come to the UK to study
If your students consider studying in the UK, you may find this course particularly useful. You will learn about the UK education and training system, student lifestyle issues, welfare and support for international students or application processes and entry requirements. You will also see different tools to support you as a counsellor.
5 How to Write Your First Song by the University of Sheffield
Starts: 13.08.2018
Duration: 6 weeks
For whom: people who want to sing a brand new song to welcome their students in the classroom 🙂
If you’re one of those people who have always played on the guitar trying to come up with an own song – here’s you chance to give it a go! You will explore the whole process, starting with setting words to music, working with melody until arranging your song. It may be a great idea not only for you, but also for your students!
6 The Music of the Beatles by the University of Rochester
Starts: 13.08.2018
Duration: 7 weeks
For whom: Teachers of EFL. Seriously.
If you’re not into songmaking, but still appreciate great music, this course is for you. There is probably no band or artist that has had more written about their music than the Beatles – and while the focus will be on the music, you will also explore the culture of the 1960s. You might not like the Beatles, but their impact on music and culture in general cannot be underestimated.
7 Introduction to Psychology: The Psychology of Learning by Monash University
Starts: 27.08.2018
Duration: 2 weeks
For whom: people interested in psychology
This course will help you understand how people learn different behaviours and how biology affects our ability to learn new things. You will explore the difference between learned and instinctive behaviours as well as learn about operant conditioning (learning behaviours based on positive or negative consequences), and observational learning (watching other people and imitating their behaviour). Sounds great for every teacher!
I hope you will like my recommendations – I know most of you is still enjoying the summer break (lucky you!), so I tried to find nice and light classes, but I’m sure they will prove useful and keep your brain challenged before September.
Enjoy!
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