The UK Government’s self-isolation guidelines recommend online learning as an effective way of maintaining well-being and good mental health.

In light of this, please find some information Alan has been sent about online learning from the Open University below.

“OpenLearn is the OU’s free to use learning platform with over 15,000 hours of online courses and content available to all.  Around 10 million people visit this site every year.

With over 950 short courses (varying from 1-1000 hours of study), learners can explore a vast array of subjects, get inspiration, build skills and confidence and earn recognition if they wish (via badged open courses), all for free.  Added to that there are thousands of articles, quizzes and interactive games. 

Specifically on Coronavirus, we have a dedicated page which contains information links to UK government advice as well as a dedicated section on supporting mental health and free courses on infectious disease.   This will be kept updated, with new content being developed aimed at the elderly (over 70s) on staying well in the event of needing to self-isolate.

For more information: https://www.open.edu/openlearn/

FutureLearn, founded by the OU in 2012, is now Europe’s largest social learning platform delivering short massive open online courses (known as MOOCs) as well as a range of other learning options such as microcredentials to help people up-skill and re skill and fully online degrees.  It partners with over a quarter of the world’s top universities as well as a range of organisations such as the British Council and Health Education England.  For more information: https://www.futurelearn.com/