Although several big companies dominate the online course market, some smaller providers also offer courses. Open2Study is based in Australia and features 49 free courses in a range of subjects. A free Certificate of Achievement is available if you gain the required number of correct answers in the weekly assessments.
As an Australian, I found Open2Study early in my online learning journey and avidly worked through several courses. I found them generally simple and felt they were little more than “taster” courses produced by Open Universities Australia (OUA). They were useful, though, to help me decide whether or not to pursue further learning in various fields. In this respect, the courses achieved their aim.
You can find my list of completed courses here.
“If you love this course,” OUA unashamedly recommend applying to enroll in a (paid) accredited online undergraduate or postgraduate course to learn more. You do not have to be in Australia to learn with Open2Study or OUA.
Format
All the Open2Study courses I have looked at use the same formula: 4 weeks; each week consisting of around nine or ten short videos with a simple practice question after each video, then an end-of-week assessment with five to ten multiple choice questions. You generally have three attempts at each assessment and the pass mark is usually 60%.
A few courses are self-paced and available constantly. The rest are available every five or six weeks, all starting at the same time. The current run started on September 10, 2018, Eastern Australian time. As with most online courses, you can start after the course has opened and catch up quite easily. The time commitment for Open2Study courses is generally less than for many other online courses.
You need to remember that Australian time is hours ahead of much of the world. Make sure the course does not close before you finish it. Do this by setting aside your time to complete the course a day earlier than the advertised closing date.
Certificates
Unlike the major course providers, the certificates offered by Open2Study are free. They are also unverified. You do not have to provide an identification document to receive a certificate. Certificates show the course, the date, your results, and your name. The fine print also makes it clear that they are not accredited and do not prove that the named student actually studied the course. As mentioned above, after completing a course, you are invited to apply to OUA to study the subject further and work towards an accredited Australian degree.
Platform
When you sign up with Open2Study, you can choose to personalize your profile with a photo, plus your employment, educational qualifications and interests. You can also link to your Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+ or Twitter accounts. Complete your profile with your birthday and location if you like. You also have the option to make your profile private or public.
Badges
Various levels of participation will earn Open2Study badges. Complete quizzes and courses, share with social media, participate in the discussion boards and other activities to earn them.
A Final Thought
If you want to try online learning or sample a particular subject, an Open2Study course may give you the start you need.
By Pat Bowden, published September 11, 2018.
