Endless Possibility: Discover Coursera's World of Online Learning
While social distancing has kept many of us indoors and disrupted our daily routine, it has also opened a window of opportunity for learning and mindful engagement. How often have we said, "If I only had time" or "I've always wanted to learn about..."? Now is your time. And thanks to Coursera, there are plenty of free and low-cost options.
Coursera offers high-quality, easy-to-navigate content from top university and industry partners across a wide range of topics — from data science and tech to business and personal development — at an affordable price.
Additionally, Coursera is among the top global online learning platforms by most metrics, including the number of courses and number of registered learners worldwide.
Learners from around the world are exploring avocational interests for pure joy, mastering skills, and even earning degrees to further their careers. Founded by two Stanford computer science professors in 2012, Coursera continues to be a leader in online learning, reaching 53 million people through its 4,100 courses.
In addition, Queersera, Coursera's LGBTQ+ employee resource group, actively participates in the LGBTQ community and employee engagement. Recent involvement includes participation in Silicon Valley Pride and volunteer days at San Francisco's National AIDS Memorial and the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center in San Jose.
"We've helped to advise engineers, product managers, and our people team on inclusive ways to ask about gender, making certain that that information is stored appropriately in databases, and ensuring that our benefits and health resources are inclusive of LGBTQ+ employees," says Data Science Manager & Queersera Co-Lead Kyle Shiells.
Inclusivity is an integral part of Coursera's learning model. From a technology perspective, mobile learning can be accessed through iOS and Android apps, while academic and technical support can be found through the Coursera Community. Coursera has also been designed for a global audience, with video subtitles in more than 30 languages.
Free versions of the courses provide access to on-demand video lectures, homework exercises, and community discussion forums. Paid courses provide additional quizzes and projects as well as a shareable Course Certificate upon completion. You'll have 180 days (6 months) to complete a paid course in order to receive the certificate. This provides the learner ample time to complete the quizzes and projects. Regardless of whether or not you complete the course, you'll have access to video lectures forever.
Ready to start learning? Here are nine of EDGE's top picks:
LGBTQ Enrichment
Queering Identities taught by University of Colorado System: Explore the history of LGBTQ identities, experiences, and activism. You'll learn about significant events in global LGBTQ history, investigate local histories of queer and transgender people and communities, and consider how LGBTQ histories have helped shape broader conversations about civil rights, equality, and justice.
Health Across the Gender Spectrum taught by Stanford University: Experience an intimate, story-based introduction to the lives of six transgender children and their families. Through illustrated stories and short teaching videos, learners will gain a better understanding of gender identity and the gender spectrum. Stanford physicians, K-12 educators, and transgender faculty members offer practical tips for parents, teachers, healthcare providers and anyone who wants to help create a more gender-expansive environment — one in which all people can live authentically.
Sexualidad...mucho m�s que sexo taught by Universidad de los Andes: Part of Coursera's continuing commitment to global learning, this Spanish language course explores different facets of sexuality. More than 100,000 learners have enrolled in this course.
La mayor�a de las personas, en alg�n momento de la vida, hemos experimentado inseguridad para hablar acerca de sexualidad con ni�as, ni�os, estudiantes, pareja o colegas. Al finalizar este curso ser�s capaz de hablar de la sexualidad de manera clara, directa, usando informaci�n actualizada y sin sentimientos de verg�enza. Adem�s, podr�s diferenciar la sexualidad de los conceptos de sexo, g�nero, orientaci�n sexual y genitalidad. Tambi�n describir�s con seguridad los procesos biol�gicos, psicol�gicos y socioculturales que intervienen en el desarrollo de la sexualidad a lo largo de la vida. Asimismo, vas a lograr establecer la relaci�n de la sexualidad con las decisiones que toman las personas en diferentes �reas, al igual que con su bienestar f�sico, psicol�gico y social.
Culture
Seeing Through Photographs taught by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): You'll look closely at images from the collection of The Museum of Modern Art and hear a variety of perspectives on what a photograph is and the ways that photography has been used throughout its nearly 180-year history: as a means of artistic expression, as a tool for science and exploration; as an instrument of documentation; to tell stories and record histories; and as a mode of communication and critique in an increasingly visual culture. More than 250,000 have enrolled in this course offered by MoMA.
Fashion as Design taught by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): Explore more than 70 garments and accessories from around the world, ranging from kente cloth to jeans to 3D-printed dresses. You'll hear directly from a range of designers, makers, historians, and others working with clothing every day—and, in some cases, reinventing it for the future. Studio visits, interviews, and other resources introduce the history and development of each garment and their changing uses, meanings, and impact over time.
History of Rock taught by University of Rochester: Part One of a two-course sequence, this course examines the history of rock from the days before rock (pre-1955) to the end of the 1960s, covering the music of Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Phil Spector, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and many more artists, with an emphasis both on cultural context and on the music itself. Follow the story of how the rowdy first wave of rock and roll (1955-59) was tamed in the early 60s but came roaring back with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and then went psychedelic by the end of the decade.
Self-Improvement
Science of Well-Being taught by Yale University: Nearly two million learners have enrolled in this popular course on happiness offered by Yale. Engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your happiness and build more productive habits. As preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change. You will ultimately be prepared to incorporate a specific wellness activity into your life successfully.
Learning How To Learn taught by UCSD and McMaster University: More than two million learners have enrolled in this course on productivity and mental tips. Gain access to the invaluable learning techniques used by experts in art, music, literature, math, science, sports, and many other disciplines. Learn about how the brain uses two very different learning modes and how it encapsulates ("chunks") information. The course also explores the illusions of learning, memory techniques, dealing with procrastination, and best practices shown by research to be most effective in helping you master tough subjects. Using these approaches, you can change your thinking and change your life. If you've ever wanted to become better at anything, this course will help serve as your guide.
Career Planning: Your Career, Your Life taught by Macquarie University: No matter where you are on your professional journey, careful planning will help you reach your goals. This course will help you adapt to rapidly evolving job markets by enhancing your self-knowledge and confidence to explore more extensive career opportunities. You will create a career development plan, encompassing your career goals, skills and knowledge development for your current and future jobs, and learn how to make the most of your strengths, talents, and experience. You'll receive valuable guidance based on practical suggestions, theoretical models and current empirical evidence.
Want to learn more?
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