How I Discovered OpenLearn and Why You Should Too

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well and staying safe during these challenging times. My name is Fajarudin Akbar and I am an English teacher and educational technology practitioner from Indonesia. In this article, I would like to introduce you to one of my favorite online learning platforms: OpenLearn.

What is OpenLearn?

OpenLearn is a free online learning site from The Open University, a world leader in open and distance learning. It offers nearly 1000 free courses in 8 different subject areas including languages, education, health, science, business, and the arts. You can study at your own pace and earn digital badges or certificates of participation to demonstrate your learning.

How I started using OpenLearn

I have been using OpenLearn for 3 years now and have learned so much from it. I first discovered it when I was looking for some online courses to improve my teaching skills. I was amazed at the variety and quality of courses available on OpenLearn. I found courses on pedagogy, curriculum design, classroom management, assessment, and online teaching. They were engaging, informative and practical. They helped me improve my teaching knowledge and practice, as well as my students' learning outcomes. For example, I took a course on inclusive education, which taught me how to design and deliver lessons that meet the diverse needs and abilities of my students. I also took a course on Open Educational Resources, which introduced me to different tools and platforms that I could use to create and share learning materials with my students and colleagues.

How OpenLearn has helped me grow professionally

As an English teacher and educational technology practitioner, I am always looking for new ways to improve my skills and knowledge and help my students achieve their learning goals. That's why I continued to explore other courses on OpenLearn that were relevant to my field and interests. I took courses on educational technology, open educational resources, online teaching, and assessment. They helped me to improve my teaching methods and strategies. They also introduced me to new tools and platforms that I could use in my online teaching.

Why You Should Try OpenLearn

If you are looking for a way to learn something new or improve your existing skills for free and without barriers, I highly recommend you check out OpenLearn. It is a treasure trove of learning materials that can help you achieve your personal and professional goals. You can choose from a wide range of courses to suit your needs and interests.

You can also share your digital badges or statements of participation on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter to demonstrate your achievements.

Conclusion

OpenLearn is one of the best online learning platforms I have ever used. It has helped me to improve my teaching and more for free. It has also helped me grow professionally and personally. It has opened up new opportunities and possibilities for me.

I hope you find this article useful and inspiring. If you are interested in trying OpenLearn, you can visit their website at https://www.open.edu/openlearn or follow them on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.