Free Entrepreneurship Courses From September 2016 to December 2016
Decision Making in a Complex and Uncertain World, Start: 5 September, 2016
This course will teach you the first principles of complexity, uncertainty and how to make decisions in a complex world.
ABOUT THE COURSE
Leaders must be able to act in a complex world and under uncertainty. This course is a first step to develop yourself into one of the future’s key decision makers or to enhance your decision-making skills.
First, this course will address what complexity is and will define uncertainty. Next, we cover a number of tools and methods to understand and be able to navigate through the complex and uncertain world.
The need for a multidisciplinary approach will be emphasised throughout the course. Guest lecturers from different faculties will explain, provide applications and examples from their respective fields of study for a more comprehensive understanding of the different elements of complexity. For example, complexity can be beautifully explained by the use of insects and brains and many other natural and social phenomena. The same ideas can be applied to economic and financial systems.
After introducing the first principles, guest lecturers will cover interdisciplinary aspects of complexity. These are graph theory and networks, emergent behaviour, agent-based modelling, evolutionary dynamics, cellular automata and self-organisation, complexity in history, decision making under uncertainty, heuristics and biases and subsequently entrepreneurship. Finally, relating this all back together in two case studies will conclude the course. The first case study is financial stability and crises and the latter is growth and development of cities.
By completing this course you will have developed skills and knowledge that will enhance your decision-making skills in order to act in a complex world and under uncertainty.
This course has received a major update in 2016 with added content on agent-based modelling, entrepreneurship and city planning.
REQUIREMENTS
Anyone should be able to participate in course. However, basic knowledge of economic, financial institutions, mathematics and logic will be helpful. The course will be taught at undergraduate level.
Foundation of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in China, Start: 12 September, 2016
Discover how Chinese culture influences discovery, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship with this free online course.
ABOUT THE COURSE
China is a focus of today’s world economy, and its approach to innovation and entrepreneurship has an increasing global influence.
Explore the Chinese approach to innovation and entrepreneurship
This free online course will introduce the processes related to discovery, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship; the influence of Chinese culture on them; and the characteristics and thinking of Chinese innovators and entrepreneurs.
By the end of the course, you will acquire the skills and ability to:
- identify daily problems;
- generate new ideas;
- propose new products or services;
- analyse the feasibility of your ideas from an entrepreneurial perspective;
- and develop a business model and business plan.
Learn with entrepreneurship experts from CityU
This process will be guided by lead educator Dr Hongyi Sun’s PIPE model (Problem, Idea, Product and Enterprise) - a teaching model recognised with a First Award from the China Association of Higher Education under the Chinese Ministry of Education.
The course has been developed by CityU (City University of Hong Kong) - an institution that capitalises on its cross-East-West position and strong connections with the Chinese government, industry and universities, to develop innovation and knowledge transfer.
REQUIREMENTS
This course is designed for university students and anyone interested in innovation and entrepreneurship in Hong Kong and mainland China.
Exploring English: Language and Culture, Start: 12 September, 2016
This course for learners of English looks at British culture and examines English in use to help you improve your language skills.
ABOUT THE COURSE
This course is for people who are learning English and who are interested in finding out more about British culture and improving their English language skills.
The course will use short videos to present a different topic each week, including English as a global language, the environment, entrepreneurship and literature. Filmed in Great Britain, these videos will help you to develop your listening skills as you watch authentic examples of people speaking English. Our experienced tutor will examine some of the language used in the videos and will draw your attention to useful points that will help you improve your spoken and written English.
The course does not follow a language syllabus but takes authentic English in context as its starting point. Short quizzes and discussions will help you measure your understanding and practise your English throughout the course. At the end of each week you will be asked to describe your own feelings and experiences about that week’s topic in a short piece of writing.
The course draws on the British Council’s expertise in online learning. It is one of three courses from its Exploring English course collection.
You can find out more about this course in Chris Cavey’s post for the FutureLearn blog: “3 tips for getting the most out of Exploring English.”
REQUIREMENTS
What level of English language do I need in order to understand the course?
This course is aimed at non-native English speakers who have studied English to around intermediate level (approximately B1 on the CEFR).
Is the whole course really free?
Yes, it is free to take part in the whole course.
Is the course live or recorded? I am not based in the UK - will time difference be a problem?
You will be able to access every step of the course whenever suits you. The videos are recorded (not live) and will be available to watch at any time of day, wherever you live.
Do I need a web camera in order to communicate within the course?
You do not need a web cam as there is no ‘live’ video discussion.
I cannot stream the course videos. Can I download them?
Yes - if you have trouble streaming the videos in the course because your internet connection is slow, you can download them to watch offline. You will see a pink ‘Download this video’ under each one.
When are the classes going to be held?
The course is delivered fully online. Each activity is a series of steps which you can study at your own speed. Once the course starts, you can study at any time that suits you. You should allow roughly two hours per week to study all of the material.
Is the course equivalent to IELTS?
The Exploring English course is NOT an IELTS equivalent and there is no formal test at the end of the course. If you are thinking of taking the IELTS test, you might be interested in our free Understanding IELTS course.
How do I get a certificate after the course?
If you complete more than 50% of the steps in the course, you will be eligible to purchase a Statement of Participation.
Will online discussions during the course take place using written comments or face to face chat?
Discussions take the form of written comments on pages of the course, not face-to-face. Learners will be able to post comments and ask questions on most steps of the course.
Who will be monitoring the discussions? Will there be an English teacher observing and helping learners?
Online tutors from the British Council will be monitoring and guiding the discussion, responding to learners and answering their questions.
How old do I have to be to join the course?
You must be at least 13 years old to create a profile on FutureLearn. Parents may register using their own name and then supervise a child throughout the course using this profile.
Can English teachers join the course?
Teachers are welcome to join the course and participate in discussions with learners.
Will there be any opportunities to speak with native British people?
The British Council tutors on the course will be British native speakers and some of the learners on the course may also be native speakers. But you should take the opportunity to talk to English speakers from all over the world.
Social Enterprise: Business Doing Good, Start: 26 September, 2016
Learn about the diverse world of social enterprise in this free online course from Middlesex University Business School.
ABOUT THE COURSE
Can business do good? In this course, we explore different models of social enterprise and the local and global problems that they aim to address.
Where could this course take me?
This course is a must for anyone who wants to understand more about what social enterprise is and its relation to sustainable development. You will learn how to evaluate social enterprise in the context of global and local problems. If you work with social enterprise or are thinking about launching a social enterprise, this course provides a valuable foundation.
What and how will I learn?
Social Enterprise: Business Doing Good includes a mix of theory, practical information and case studies from around the world. You will assess different definitions and models of social enterprise and evaluate their social impact. Video interviews with experts and practitioners, articles and discussion steps will offer you the opportunity to learn and engage with other learners on key concepts and ideas.
By the end of the course, you will understand the key concepts related to social enterprise and how to assess the social impact of a social enterprise model.
Continue learning with the Social Enterprise program
This course is one of three in the Social Enterprise program prepared by Middlesex University Business School, in collaboration with researchers at the Jindal Centre for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship and the social enterprise Living in Minca, and with funding by the British Council.
The program will enable you to understand what it takes to launch and run a sustainable social enterprise. When you complete all three courses and buy a Certificate of Achievement for each, you will earn a FutureLearn Award as proof of completing the program of study.
REQUIREMENTS
This course is intended for anyone interested in learning more about social enterprise, including entrepreneurs, charities, working professionals and students.
Social Enterprise: Turning Ideas into Action Start: 24 October, 2016
Learn how to turn your social enterprise ideas into action in this free online course from Middlesex University Business School.
ABOUT THE COURSE
How can you turn a social enterprise idea into action? In this course, you will identify the problem your idea is trying to solve, design your social enterprise venture model and prepare to take it to market.
Where could this course take me?
This course is a must for anyone who wants to launch a social enterprise. It will help you understand the problem your social enterprise is trying to address, consider the level of innovation in your idea, and build your business plan and your team.
What and how will I learn?
Social Enterprise: Turning Ideas into Action includes a mix of theory, practical information, and case studies from around the world. You will also learn about the legal and marketing considerations as you prepare to take your idea to market.
By the end of the course, you will develop a plan for turning your social enterprise into action and there will be a competition to find the best learner-produced plan.
Learn more with the Social Enterprise program
This course is one of three in the Social Enterprise program prepared by Middlesex University Business School, in collaboration with researchers at the Jindal Centre for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship and the social enterprise Living in Minca, and with funding by the British Council.
The program will enable you to understand what it takes to launch and run a sustainable social enterprise. When you complete all three courses and buy a Certificate of Achievement for each, you will earn a FutureLearn Award as proof of completing the program of study.
REQUIREMENTS
This course is intended for anyone interested in learning more about social enterprise, including entrepreneurs, charities and students.
Social Enterprise: Growing a Sustainable Business, 21 November, 2016
Learn how to grow a sustainable social enterprise in this free online course from Middlesex University Business School.
ABOUT THE COURSE
Is your social enterprise sustainable? Is it scalable? This course helps you evaluate your model and develop a plan to take it to the next level.
Where could this course take me?
This course is a must for anyone who wants to understand how to scale and sustain a social enterprise. You will learn how to evaluate and diagnose your current business model, identify your challenges, and develop strategies to grow your social enterprise, and evaluate its impact.
What and how will I learn?
Social Enterprise: Growing a Sustainable Business includes a mix of theory, practical information, and case studies from around the world. You will learn how to map your stakeholders, consider partnership opportunities, and manage change. You will also consider different marketing and communications strategies, how to find talent, and different sources of funding and investment.
By the end of the course, you will be prepared to take your social enterprise to the next level.
Learn more with the Social Enterprise program
This course is one of three in the Social Enterprise program prepared by Middlesex University Business School, in collaboration with researchers at the Jindal Centre for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship and the social enterprise Living in Minca, and with funding by the British Council.
The program will enable you to understand what it takes to launch and run a sustainable social enterprise. When you complete all three courses and buy a Certificate of Achievement for each, you will earn a FutureLearn Award as proof of completing the program of study.
REQUIREMENTS
This course is intended for anyone interested in learning more about social enterprise, including entrepreneurs, charities and students.
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