The Open University Courses

Introduction to Ecosystems

5

##If we don’t grasp why ecosystems function, it becomes harder to determine possible reasons for when they don’t, and makes it difficult to identify possible environmental threats to humans.In this course you will discover how organisms are linked together by complex interrelationships, how such links are studied and how the physical properties of a particular habitat interact with the organisms that inhabit it. Using case studies, you will come to learn how knowledge of ecosystems leads to understanding of their individual importance, and how they can be preserved.All Open University science courses presented on FutureLearn are produced with the kind support of Dangoor Education.Find out more in David Robinson’s post for the FutureLearn blog: “Why learn about ecosystems?”This course is intended for those with an interest in natural history, conservation or the environment and does not require any previous experience of studying these subjects.

Teacher Training: Embedding Mental Health in the Curriculum

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Growing numbers of students at schools and universities are experiencing mental health issues.The act of learning can be extremely positive for student mental wellbeing, but it can also exacerbate or even cause mental health difficulties. Though there have been calls for action on mental health made globally, there’s little guidance in this area.On this microcredential, you’ll learn how to embed mental wellbeing in your teaching. You’ll discover how to apply inclusive teaching strategies and learn how to design appropriate learning activities that are conducive to students’ mental health.The World Health Organisation reported that 10-20% of children globally experience mental disorders and half of all mental illnesses begin by age 14. Although 98% of surveyed teachers had come into contact with pupils experiencing mental health issues, only 46% received mental health training.Help young people develop resilience in the modern world, and get the training you need to support mental health in your classroom.

Teacher Training: Embedding Mental Health in the Curriculum

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Develop skills to design inclusive teaching, learning and assessment activities that enhance student mental health and wellbeing.

Business Management: Improving Organisational Practice

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Organisational practice is the examination of how the structures and culture of a company shape the actions and behaviours of its workforce. On this microcredential, you’ll learn how to become a manager who can increase productivity and efficiency to empower your workforce and benefit the broader environment.You’ll achieve this by exploring different organisational structures and learning how to adapt to change. You will also learn to recognise what is driving change in the contemporary world and how to adapt to it positively, in a way that’s inclusive, ethical, and promotes diversity.Understand organisational structure and how to apply key theories to your workEach week, using your current or previous experience of organisational practice, you will focus on areas relevant to you and your work.Using the latest academic thinking in this area, you’ll have the opportunity to familiarise yourself and experiment with different contemporary organisational models, tools, and frameworks to develop and improve your skills.From this, you’ll gain a strong understanding of different types of organisational structures and how they evolve over time.Develop your learning and leadership styles to improve your management skillsBy exploring different leadership styles, you’ll develop your managerial skills and find solutions to the everyday challenges that come with leading teams, including conflict resolution, and keeping your team motivated.You’ll consider the role of power and politics within an organisation and how to navigate it successfully for your own development and to support the team around you. There will be a focus on how to improve your own and your organisation’s approach to learning and how that positively affects culture and progression.You will also develop a range of personal study skills and techniques that result in improved critical thinking.

Business Fundamentals: Effective Communication

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Learn how to improve your communication skills in a professional contextFaced with a daily deluge of information, effective communication has never been more important.This online course offers you a practical grounding in using different types of communication media to boost your personal effectiveness, save you time, and reduce your stress levels.You will discover the principles of how to write emails, reports, and proposals. You will find new confidence in your ability to make convincing presentations and conduct productive meetings. And you will develop communication skills that are sensitive to cultural and personal differences.This business communication course is for anyone interested in how to improve communication skills in a workplace context.This could range from jobseekers to those seeking internal promotions to anyone interested in communicating better day-to-day.No prior communications skills training is necessary.For further information about registration, the final assessment course, your eligibility and the BA in Business Management, visit the Open University website.IMPORTANT! If you are aiming to use your study of courses in the Business and Finance Fundamentals program to obtain academic credit, please be aware that the final planned presentation of the Open University Assessment Course BXM191 Business and Finance Fundamentals in Practice starts October 2020. Please ensure that you allow yourself enough time to obtain all eight Certificates of Achievement from courses in the program before registering for the Assessment Course. Details of runs of the relevant FutureLearn courses in 2019 and 2020 are available here.

Low-Budget Video Production: Visual Communication for Small Charities

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Learn how to produce your own low-budget video to convey your charity’s messageSmall charities understand that to compete in a tough economic climate they should engage with digital media and video content. But a lack of staff, time, knowledge and resources can get in the way.This practical video production course is designed to bridge that gap and help small charities develop the skills they need for successful video production.Understand the strength of video in telling powerful human storiesYou’ll gain an insight into the strengths and weaknesses of video as a medium of communication, where and how to use it to powerful effect, and how to tie it in with your charity’s overall message and ethos.As part of the course, you’ll also have access to a well-researched collection of videos made by small charities, inspirational examples of the type of visual storytelling you could be able to achieve.Learn the production skills you need to communicate your work and impactYou’ll get to grips with creative thinking and visual storytelling, and work through the editorial decisions that can make your video stand out and deliver its message effectively.You’ll also master how to make a low-budget production using the technology you have readily available such as smartphones. You’ll develop practical skills to plan and structure a low-budget video production, shoot video in several different visual styles, and tackle a basic edit.Gain in-depth insight into video production from experts at The Open UniversityYou’ll be guided throughout by Tot Foster, who has just completed research to develop training and support in video production for small charities that takes into account their specific circumstances, together with Senior Lecturer in Design, Dr Theodore Zamenopoulos.This course is suited to anyone planning to produce videos who works within the small charity sector such as charity staff, volunteers and service users.It is also useful to those with existing production and video marketing experience who would like to work within the sector, or those from larger charities interested in a fresh approach to using video as a visual storytelling tool.

Introduction to Safeguarding in the International Aid Sector

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Learn about safeguarding policies and procedures in the aid sectorThis course will help those working in NGOs and development and humanitarian agencies to better understand the causes of harm, abuse, and exploitation.You’ll learn what power and responsibility you and others in your organisation have for addressing these issues, and how to help change organisational approaches to safeguarding.Discover the key principles of safeguardingA strong safeguarding policy is key for all international aid organisations and their staff working with and for children, young people, and vulnerable adults.On this course, you’ll learn about the different forms of harm, abuse and exploitation that may be suffered by those coming into contact with your organisation.You’ll develop your understanding of the associated indicators of these issues, and identify the safeguarding risks for those you work or come into contact with.Implement an effective safeguarding framework in your organisationUsing evidence-based safeguarding standards, you’ll learn how to put effective systems and structures in place to reduce the safeguarding risks associated with your work.By designing preventative, reporting and response mechanisms for handling safeguarding issues, you’ll build the skills to develop a culture of accountability in your organisation and in communities, that encourages people to report and respond to safeguarding concerns appropriately.Access safeguarding training from international development experts at the OUThis course is created by The Open University and led by a world-leading safeguarding trainer who has worked with many of the world’s leading international aid and humanitarian agencies.The course material was developed with advisors from BOND and the CHS Alliance, as well as with insights from a senior academic specialist in safeguarding.This course is designed for all staff in development and humanitarian agencies working in global development, most likely in international and national non-governmental organisations (NGOs).If you work in such an organisation in human resources, protection, compliance, or monitoring and evaluation, this course will support you in taking on the role of Safeguarding Lead or Officer for your organisation.It is widely acknowledged that there is no certified, advanced level, or comprehensive safeguarding training for Safeguarding Leads, and this course will support the career pathways for aid workers looking at becoming a safeguarding specialist.This course is intended for 18+ only.This online course has been funded by UK aid from the UK government; however the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies.Please note: this course is facilitated by Phillippa Ramsden, Hazel Sloan and Yianny Ioannou from 24 January until 6 March 2022.

Digital Photography: Discover your Genre and Develop your Style

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Created in collaboration with the UK’s leading photography organisation, the Royal Photographic Society, this microcredential will give you a broad overview of a number of photographic genres and the knowledge, skills, and techniques to create better photographic narratives.Build your photography skills and learn how to work to a briefThis course will encourage you to explore different areas of photography to help you identify where you want to develop your creative photography skills, confidence, and knowledge.  Some of the subjects covered in this course include: ‘Things’ – including product and food photography‘People and events’ – exploring portraiture, sports, and photojournalism  ‘Environment’ - looking at wildlife, buildings, architecture, and landscapesYou will learn how to work to a brief and how to prepare and take images to create a body of work within these subjects that tell a visually cohesive story. You will discover how your approach to taking or displaying an image can affect how it is understood and explore the conventions related to particular genres.Develop a photography project that realises its intentBuilding on your basic photography skills, you’ll start to understand what it means to be an intentional photographer as well as how to think about and write a Statement of Intent that explains the purpose and objective of your portfolio. This course is delivered on the FutureLearn platform and you will also access a third-party image sharing site, at no extra cost.This site is used to share your images with fellow learners and develop your photographic eye by learning and practising how to give feedback on each other’s images. Learn from experts, with The Open University and the Royal Photographic Society  Created by The Open University in collaboration with the Royal Photographic Society, you’ll learn from current thinkers and experimenters who specialise in particular genres and approaches to photography. You will share ideas and experiences with fellow learners, building skills, confidence and knowledge from peer to peer feedback and weekly challenges to experiment and explore your new creative approaches, techniques and practices, and the concept behind your intent.The FutureLearn social learning experience is designed to encourage learners to interact and benefit from a stimulating learning community.On-course mentors encourage collaboration between learners and offer guidance. Feedback on images throughout the course will come from your fellow learners. At the end of the course you’ll receive detailed, personal feedback on your assessment from academic and subject matter experts.This course replaces Digital Photography: Creating a Professional Portfolio (OU course code: TZFM200.) It is a completely new course, however, the assessment is similar in shape and level. If you have any questions please contact us prior to enrolling.

Introduction to Digital Marketing

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Gain in-demand digital marketing skills to get ahead in a digital worldBuild core digital marketing skills and knowledge to plan and implement first-class digital campaigns

COVID-19: Pandemics, Modelling, and Policy

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Discover the role forecasts and computer models play in understanding pandemicsWith the world in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a surge of interest in scientific modelling of the outbreak.On this course, you’ll explore the social, economic, and political factors in the spread of a pandemic such as COVID-19, examining how scientists try to forecast the spread and severity of epidemics, and what we can and can’t know.You’ll use interactive graphical programs to explore the dynamics of epidemics, learning how to critique the underlying models, and how science and computer models can support policymakers in times of pandemic crisis.This course is for anyone wanting to make sense of the conflicting information around COVID-19. This includes scientists, health professionals, policy planners, or just interested citizens.

Digital Photography: Creating a Professional Portfolio

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According to IbisWorld, the photographic industry grew by 2.1% between 2014-2019, and demand for professional photography and digital imagery is expected to continue to increase.Most people own a camera that would’ve been the envy of professionals 10 years ago, but it takes more than clicking to create amazing digital images.On this microcredential, you’ll explore the theory and practicalities of digital imaging, from how light refracts through a camera lens to what makes a visually pleasing scene.As well as theoretical work, you’ll tackle a series of hands-on assignments designed to progress your technical and artistic skill and share them with a supportive online community.You’ll experiment in applying a range of photography techniques to a specialist photographic genre–from nature and people to architecture and fine art–challenging you to step outside of your photographic comfort zone.Each week, you’ll learn from a different genre guide prepared by specialist photographers or leading industry partners, as you split your time between practical image capture and editing and online theory.You’ll also dedicate two hours a week to online peer review, in order to critique and learn from the work of others.You’ll use the diverse range of work you create to build a photography portfolio for professional work in photography.This microcredential meets the standards set by the Common Microcredential Framework.

Business Management: Financial Accounting for Non-Financial Roles

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Designed for non-financial professionals, this course will give you the confidence to analyse financial information and understand accounting terminology effectively. You’ll learn how to interpret the financial data of any limited company, empowering you to make well-informed decisions on whether a particular business might be a dependable customer, a consistent supplier, a responsible employer, or a sound investment.During the course you’ll develop skills to make sense of annually published financial accounting statements that are presented to internal and external stakeholders, such as statements of financial performance, financial position and cash flows, in order to help you measure and assess performance, financial health, cash, and working capital.Real-world insight from industry expertsThis microcredential has been created and written by highly qualified professionals with practical experience in business accounting. It uses realistic case studies and published financial statements that will bring your learning to life and ensure that the skills you develop can be applied in a practical way to a diverse range of sectors and organisations.You’ll learn at your own pace around other life commitments, with the time to reflect and put your skills into practice as you progress through the course. At the end, you’ll be able to immediately apply your newly gained knowledge and have the confidence to contribute to financial discussions and decision-making.Why are financial accounting skills important for your career development?Making good business decisions is vital for any successful organisation. This microcredential will support your development so you can do just that.Focusing on how to interpret financial reports, rather than how to construct them, this course will help you gain meaning from data so you can be sure you are making the best choices for your business to thrive.If you would like to further strengthen your financial knowledge, The Open University also has a microcredential on Management Accounting. This is a complementary course that will give you the expertise you need to be able to confidently prepare budgets and calculate costs to support your decision making.

Cyber Security Operations (Cisco)

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Cyber security is rapidly evolving, and professionals must keep up-to-date with the complexities of different cyber threats, as well as the different technologies under attack.On this microcredential, you’ll learn how cyber security professionals respond to an imminent, active or recent cyber threat. You’ll explore how to go about resolving attacks and how to complete legal investigations of any potential cybercrime.You’ll develop skills in this exciting area using up-to-date experience from the internationally recognised Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate Certification.Worldwide spending on cyber security is forecasted to reach £102.5 billion in 2022 and projected employment for IT security analysts is predicted to grow 32% between 2018 and 2028.Apply the skills learned in this microcredential to start your journey as a cyber security analyst, consultant, architect or engineer.This microcredential meets the standards set by the Common Microcredential Framework.

Learn to Code for Data Analysis

3.5

Learn to code in Python and analyse real, open dataThis hands-on course will teach you how to write your own computer programs, one line of code at a time. You’ll learn how to access open data, clean it and analyse it, and produce visualisations. You will also learn how to write up and share your analyses, privately or publicly.You will install free software to learn to code in Python, a widely used programming language. You will write up analyses and do coding exercises using the popular Jupyter Notebook platform. And you will look at real data from the World Health Organisation, the World Bank and other organisations.The course does not assume prior experience in programming or data analysis. Basic familiarity with a spreadsheet application will be an advantage.The course does not require any knowledge of statistics, but you need to have basic numeracy skills, like writing arithmetic expressions, using percentages and understanding scientific notation. If you wish to brush up on your numeracy skills, we recommend the FutureLearn course Basic Science: Understanding Numbers from The Open University.To study this course you will use specialist software. You can use the software online, via a free account on a website, or offline, by downloading and installing a free software package. You will receive instructions about both options via email before the course starts. The online solution requires a good internet connection and has some limitations.The offline software has no limitations and is the recommended option. However, you will need access to a desktop or laptop computer on which you can install software. The software is free and there are versions available for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms. You will need about 3 GB of free disk space to download and install the software, and to store datasets that will be provided in the course.Whether you choose the online or offline software option, you will need to be proficient in basic computer tasks, like creating folders, downloading files and copying them to specific folders, etc. In terms of accessibility, you will be asked to use your web browser and to type code.

Managing My Money

4

Get your personal finances in order with practical guidance and adviceWith real incomes falling and personal debt at a record high, it’s vital to improve your personal finance skills.This online course starts by giving you practical guidance on compiling a budget and using it to make good decisions about your spending.You’ll explore debts and investments, and how mortgages are used to finance home ownership. The critical issue of pension planning is explained, with guidance on different products.The course concludes by examining different types of insurance. It offers practical advice on how to make rational decisions about which insurance products to buy.This course is intended for those with an interest in developing their personal financial skills to make good decisions when managing their finances and buying financial products. The course does not require any previous experience of studying this subject.