OpenLearn
OpenLearn is an open educational platform from The Open University that offers free online courses and learning resources across a wide range of subjects. The materials are designed for self-learners and educators to use.
open-source
free
online-learning
selfpaced
open-university
OpenLearn: Free Online Courses
Free online educational platform with courses on various subjects, suitable for self-learning and teaching
What is OpenLearn?
OpenLearn is an open educational platform developed and maintained by The Open University in the UK. It offers free online courses and learning resources across a diverse range of subjects at various levels, from introductory to advanced.
The goal of OpenLearn is to make education accessible to all by removing barriers like cost. All the materials hosted on the platform are released under Creative Commons licenses, allowing them to be reused, remixed, repurposed, and redistributed.
The learning resources on OpenLearn include full online courses, articles, videos, audio clips, quizzes, interactive games and more. They cover topics across science, health, business, education, languages, IT, math, arts and humanities, and social sciences.
The materials on OpenLearn are self-study resources developed by academics from The Open University. They are designed for individual self-learners who want to expand their knowledge as well as educators looking for open educational resources to integrate into their teaching.
In addition to the learning materials, OpenLearn also hosts user forums and study groups to support community learning. The platform also allows users to track their progress, earn badges and statement of participation for completing courses.
OpenLearn Features
Features
- Free online courses and learning resources
- Wide range of subjects including science, math, technology, health, languages, business, social sciences, education, law, history, and more
- Self-paced learning at your own speed
- No registration required to access most materials
- Materials designed for self-learners and educators
- Some courses lead to formal qualifications and badges you can display
- Discussion forums on some courses to engage with other learners and educators
Pricing
- Free
Pros
Completely free to access
No ads or paid upgrades
Created by experts from a reputable university
Good quality courses and materials
Very flexible - learn anywhere, anytime
Great for casual learners or continuing education
Cons
No instructor support or feedback
Limited assessment and tracking of progress
Less structured than formal online courses
Quality can vary across courses
Limited credentials offered compared to paid options
Official Links
The Best OpenLearn Alternatives
Top Education & Reference and Online Courses and other similar apps like OpenLearn
Here are some alternatives to OpenLearn:
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