Free Online Genealogy Course with FutureLearn (Week 6)

[Gillg]

On the 2-week course I mentioned above ( WW1 Heroism: Through Art and Film) I simply read and watched the information given out online, but was too busy to do any of the suggested exercises.  At the end of the first week I received an email telling me that I qualified for a Statement of Participation.  At the end of the second week there was a quiz, in which I managed to get 95% of the answers correct first time.  I wonder what that's worth!

I think these certificates and statements are just a money-gathering exercise.  After all, the courses have to be paid for somehow.

Did we ever find out what the exciting changes to be made to the "Replies" button were?

[Romilly]

I'm doing 'Food as Medicine' with FL at the moment, - very interesting.

When you click on the 'Replies' button, - this message popps up:

'We’ll be removing the Replies tab soon and replacing it with something very exciting. You can still find your comments and replies on your Activity tab or Notifications page'.

Romilly

[KGarrad]

As far as I can see all the certificate proves is that you are gullible enough to fall for the hype.

I totally agree, jaywit!

It would appear that modern HR people (as opposed to old-fashioned Personnel?!) are seduced by diplomas and certificates.

[mare]

Also had all the followup emails, perhaps a little excessive but not bothered and had no intention of getting certs or aiming for a framed tree etc.

It has, if anything, been an introduction to FutureLearn as well and like others, now able to compare. As 3SD said about Hans Christian Anderson being like chalk and cheese, I'm finding the same with William Shakespeare. It's the 3rd year in a row they've repeated WS and still many are obviously enjoying course, as am I, participation pretty good too including some with the educator and mentor. As we're invited to follow those at the beginning of the courses, it did seem a little odd that this Geneaology course had 2 tutors and only one did a few posts over the 6 weeks.

Still happy to have been part of the exercise though 

[groom]

That about sums it up, Mare. The success of the course does depend on the content and the amount of participation of the tutors and moderators. I think that the Genealogy course tried to appeal to too many people, it might have been better if they had run several courses, aimed at different levels of knowledge.

I also felt at times as if it had been prepared weeks in advance and that during the actual course no tutor was even looking at it. On others that I've done, it is very obvious that the tutors are about all the time, as they pick up on comments and answer them and join in the discussions.

[Romilly]

I also felt at times as if it had been prepared weeks in advance and that during the actual course no tutor was even looking at it. On others that I've done, it is very obvious that the tutors are about all the time, as they pick up on comments and answer them and join in the discussions.

Yes, - this has been my experience too. Lots of imput, (in real time) and replies to comments, from the Course Tutors. However, the Genealogy Course attracted much higher numbers of participants than any of the other FL Courses that I have taken.

Romilly.

[millymcb]

This is interesting re the certificates. It looks as if a lot of people didn't think they actually showed much.

https://about.futurelearn.com/blog/introducing-certificates-of-achievement/

Definitely an improvement on the participation one.  I would consider buying a certificate if it actually meant something.  I just did a job application and put some online courses on it - but without a certificate it doesn't look as good. I won't get one for this course though...as I am still stuck on week three!

Milyl

[KGarrad]

If it's that important to have a diploma/certificate, then why not make one?!

It will be about as useful as the real thing!

[roopat]

After reading all the comments with great interest I'm so glad I didn't do this course.

I've only completed the Hadrian's Wall course which was outstanding, the certificate certainly wasn't pushed and it was nice to get an email recently from 'The Prof' giving updates on the digs and some insight into what people had gone on to do after the FL course to follow up their interest.

I started 'China' last autumn but family demands got in the way. Hoping to return to it this year.

I've just started 'Anxiety, depression and CBT' (yesterday) - so far it looks very professional and quite challenging but also very interesting and accessible.

So I hope no one is put off Futurelearn courses by that one bad experience.

Pat