* Online course just started

[davidf]

I notice the following (free) online course has just started:

Genealogy: Researching Your Family Tree

Develop an understanding of genealogy – how to research your family tree and share the results – with this free online course.

It is run on the FutureLearn platform by Strathclyde University - both established names. I have done a number of FutureLearn courses (most being very useful) and know of people who have done other Strathclyde University Genealogy Courses.

This free online course will help you develop an understanding of basic genealogy techniques and how to communicate your family history. We do not concentrate on a specific country’s records so it should be useful to anyone around the world.

We will consider how to effectively find and analyse sources and explore the potential of DNA testing as applied to genealogy. We’ll help you add historical context to your family history and discuss how to record and communicate research findings in a clear fashion. The course is primarily designed for people at beginner to intermediate level.

Estimated 4 hours per week for 6 weeks - although you can do it at anytime until a fortnight after the course officially finishes

[ColeValleyGirl]

I found it a useful refresher when I did it a few years back.

[tatewise]

I've added it to research:genealogy_presentations|> Genealogy Presentations.

[rfj1001]

Agree with ColeValleyGirl. May take 4hrs a week for a newcomer but as a refresher it takes far less time. Best part from a couple of years ago was some information on some of the NLS genealogy and map records

[ColeValleyGirl]

I wish they'd do a more advanced one... or a more detailed look at DNA.

[davidf]

... or a more detailed look at DNA.

Anyone know anyone in the likes of ISOGG? It's not just Universities who produce courses for Future Learn (and similar). Perhaps they might find the platform a useful education tool?

[ColeValleyGirl]

ISOGG is great, but very information-dense. Plus the key players tend to use blogs.... I thunk it needs to be handled by specialist educators (working with DNA specialists, not DNA specialists on their own.

[davidf]

I have tended to find the ISOGG wiki "heavy going"

That rather points the finger at the likes of Leicester University? (Who do do some FutureLearn Courses)

[tatewise]

Helen, have you requested FutureLearn to do a more advanced course, or a more detailed look at DNA?
They say they are open to suggestions.

I've added ISOGG to research:genealogy_presentations|> Genealogy Presentations.

[gwilym'smum]

Hi
I take Pharos courses, I know you have to pay but they are very helpful and can be assessed or can be taken unassessed. I have just started their DNA course.
I did the Future Learn basic course. It was helpful but the student contact was too much like Facebook comments as the student discussion was not directed. There were some quite scathing personal comments as from one chap who commented that the only way to keep your records was digitally and why would anyone want to keep my paper records when I am dead! (That is a polite record of what he posted), but you get what you pay for ... or not.
It is of course down to everyone's experience but not sure I would look again at Strathclyde courses.
Ann

[davidf]

... but the student contact was too much like Facebook comments as the student discussion was not directed. There were some quite scathing personal comments ...

This is a problem that I have seen with some FutureLearn courses (and more limited experience with other similar providers).

On some courses the course team actively contribute highlighting and expanding useful threads and occasionally challenging a contributor to expand on a point - on these courses the comments are worth scanning and reading as appropriate. On others they just soak up a lot of time and I end up almost totally ignoring them and doing the course very independently - treating the academic material as a set of lecture notes.

You could argue that in "today's world" being able to sift through countless comments of variable quality is an essential skill which universities and the like should teach so that we are able to use that skill in other contexts (!?). But it is a change that I noticed with regret whilst studying (degree level) with the OU; towards the end there was too much reliance on "student support" and you could get flame wars when someone dared to suggest that a contribution was way off the mark (even "incorrect"); but perhaps that is a context that we have to learn to live in?