FutureLearn
|
FutureLearn company logo | |
Type of site | Online education |
|---|---|
| Available in | English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Chinese |
| Owner | The Open University |
| Website |
www |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Registration | Required |
| Launched | December 2012 |
| Current status | Active |
FutureLearn is a digital education platform founded in December 2012. The company is wholly owned by The Open University in Milton Keynes, England.[1][2] It is a massive open online course (MOOC) learning platform, and as of January 2017 included 109 UK and international partners, including non-university partners.[3]
History
FutureLearn was launched with 12 university partners, seeking those who "consistently rank at the top end of the…league tables".[4] The 12 founding partners are: The Open University, University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, Cardiff University, University of East Anglia, University of Exeter, King's College London, Lancaster University, University of Leeds, University of Southampton, St Andrews University, and University of Warwick.[5]
The launch was described as a move to 'fight back' and provide a space for UK institutions to engage in the MOOC space.[6][7]
Courses
FutureLearn's courses span a broad range of topics. The first course opened on 14 October 2013.[8] The first courses to be made available included "Web science: how the web is changing the world" (University of Southampton), "Introduction to ecosystems" (The Open University), "Improving your image: dental photography in practice" (University of Birmingham), "Causes of war" (King's College London), "The discovery of the Higgs boson" (University of Edinburgh), "Discover dentistry" (University of Sheffield), "Muslims in Britain: changes and challenges" (Cardiff University), "Begin programming: build your first mobile game" (University of Reading) and "England in the time of King Richard III" (University of Leicester). The first course to launch was "The secret power of brands", conducted by professor Robert Jones of the University of East Anglia.
Country restrictions
In April 2017, FutureLearn blocked their courses for users in Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria as a result of US sanctions to those countries.[9]
References
- ↑ Marszal, Andrew (14 December 2012). "UK universities to launch free degree-style online courses". London: Telegraph. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
- ↑ FutureLearn: About.
- ↑ "FutureLearn partners page". futurelearn.com. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
- ↑ Parr, Chris (20 December 2012). "Futurelearn picks league table stars for debut line-up | General". Times Higher Education. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
- ↑ Marszal, Andrew (14 December 2012). "UK universities to launch free degree-style online courses". London: Telegraph. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
- ↑ Claire Shaw (20 December 2012). "FutureLearn is UK's chance to 'fight back', says OU vice-chancellor | Higher Education Network | Guardian Professional". London: Guardian. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
- ↑ Parry, Marc (13 December 2012). "Leading British Universities Join New MOOC Venture - Wired Campus - The Chronicle of Higher Education". Chronicle.com. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
- ↑ Parr, Chris (19 February 2013). "PM hails new arrivals to Futurelearn | News". Times Higher Education. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
- ↑ "Restricted course access for learners in Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea or Syria".