In the spotlight
Take a MOOC this summer
Do you want to learn more about a healthy diet and lifestyle or about the ins and outs of biobased production, building with nature, sustainable cities or starting up a tech company? Or would you like to discover all there is to know about animal behaviour, breeding, sustainable soil management or food security? Then take a MOOC at Wageningen University & Research and get informed. More than 3,000 people have done so already.
What is a MOOC?
MOOC is an acronym for Massive Open Online Course: a free online course open to anyone, anywhere in the world. MOOCs help you to expand your knowledge in a simple, flexible and accessible way. After all, it's always good to learn something new.
All our MOOCs are on the edX platform, the largest platform in the world for free online education. Wageningen University & Research can be found under the name WageningenX on edX. Select a MOOC, click on ‘Enrol’ and follow the instructions. If you want to receive a certificate, you will have to upgrade to verified certificate. We also have online courses that combine to form a series or a micromaster.
I was surprised about how interactive the course was. It had an app and other different forms of participation.
Why does Wageningen University & Research create MOOCs?
We want to share our knowledge with as many people as possible, as we are working on topics that contribute to a better quality of life; many of which are also linked to the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. Together, we can help to make the world just a little bit better.
What are the requirements?
Wageningen University & Research creates university-level MOOCs. Anyone who has qualified for university can take one of these online courses. People who work or have worked in relevant fields, will also be able to manage the subject matter. It is definitely worth your while to try it. You are often capable of more than what you think.
I'm not highly educated and I'm retired. Thanks to the MOOCs about health and nutrition I have gained greater insight into my own health.
What does a MOOC cost?
MOOCs by Wageningen University & Research are free. If you want a certificate to prove that you have taken the course, you pay a small remuneration. These costs are clearly indicated for every MOOC. The standard cost for a certificate is 49 US dollars. You can pay using a credit card or with PayPal.
Can I arrange my own schedule?
You can flexibly manage your time. A MOOC often consists of short videos and several assignments. It is completely up to you what, when, where and over how long you take to do it. You can complete an entire course in just a few days or take it easy and finish it during the course of a few weeks. The estimated time that a MOOC will take you is indicated for each course. The only thing you should take note of is whether the MOOC has an end date, as some MOOCs only run for a certain period.
Can I put a MOOC on my CV?
If you took a MOOC by Wageningen University & Research, you should definitely put it on your CV. It shows that you have gained additional knowledge on a subject while also demonstrating that you are prepared to invest in your own development. After all, taking a MOOC requires time, input and drive.
It is to your benefit if you complete the course with a certificate. For most courses, you can decide up until the end whether you want to do all the assignments that entitle you to receive a certificate. This will also be clearly indicated on the start page of the course when you log in. If you get a certificate you will also get a unique link to put on your LinkedIn profile. Then someone can click on the link to check whether the certificate bears your name.
The most important thing I learned is that industrial biotechnology has to develop at a rapid pace to make the shift to a sustainable society that is not based on fossil fuels.
Why are the MOOCs in English?
The online courses are in English because we want to reach as many people as possible. English is also the official language of communication for science and academia. There are also English subtitles.
What if I have a question about the content during or after a MOOC?
Each MOOC has a forum where you can ask questions or discuss the MOOC with other learners. You might even be given an assignment to discuss something on the forum. Depending on your question you will receive a reply from fellow students, the moderator, edX or the lecturer.
When are new MOOCs released?
We continue to develop new courses. Register for our newsletter and stay informed about the courses we offer. MOOCs that are about to start are already on edX.