Archæology: From Dig to Lab and Beyond

[ganimede]

A while ago I signed up for yet another MOOC on the FutureLearn site, this one is Archæology: From Dig to Lab and Beyond from the University of Reading. It's only a short course, just two weeks and three hours a week. It may be the last MOOC I do through FutureLearn as they've decided to introduce a charge. Previously, it was free to do any of

Comments

[hobbitblue]

I'd forgotten about that course - and £39 for a 2 weeker is insane, especailly as I doubt you'd find the certificate had much value in the real world (one of the other reasons I've never bothered in the past, had blanked on that objection when I was grumbling the other day...). Sounds like they're going in-depth about the background though, I'd not thought of it as a last resort thing much either..

[ganimede]

It's a ridiculous price just for two weeks. I don't think the certificates have any value at all, they're more just a proof that you've done a course rather than any sort of qualification. It looks like the option to upgrade a course is getting to be quite prominent though, the second task was an introduction to the course and the team, and at the bottom, there was a large section all about upgrading and why you should do it. There's also a largish banner at the bottom of each weekly task list too, so it's all a bit blatant for my liking.

I suppose I always thought of archaeology as saving things that would otherwise be lost, but obviously, you have to destroy their surroundings in order to get to them.

[hobbitblue]

That's my main objection, that the certificates have little real-world value, plus often although I've enjoyed a course I don't feel the content and what I've learned from it is something I can apply and say I'm qualified in, so why pay for a bit of paper? *sigh* I thnk they're really going to have to push the certificate/upgrade thing cos no bugger really wants them, annoying they're doing so though :(

Yes, very true.

[ganimede]

I think a lot of people have said the same about the certificates, that they have no real value. I know there are some people who are doing the courses in order to bolster their uni course or employment but they're very much in the minority. It certainly seems like most people doing the courses are just doing it for fun, or to give a new subject a try. Those are not the sort of people who want or need a certificate so FutureLearn is really going to struggle trying to make them purchase one! I know they've got some degree course thing going now as well, just makes me wonder if there's going to be any value to that in the real world :-/

[hobbitblue]

I'm highly sceptical of the degree thing too, I don't think it would really count compared to standard degrees, I know an OU degree is well-regarded but the level of Futurelearn isn't quite there yet, the OU ones are backed with books and videos and all manner of resources, not convinced FL can get to that level.

I can see why they want to get folk to pay but I'm sure some kind of subscription thing or a lower rate would work better, I reckon they'd have more luck getting many people to pay say a fiver for a course ratehr than just one or two forking out for the certificate route..

[ganimede]

With the way FutureLearn is going, I'm not even sure I'd trust them to stay around long enough to complete a degree that way! But I agree, I don't think a degree from them would have any value. I know they're connected to the OU in some way but if employers haven't heard of them, it's not really worthwhile.

A lot of people have said why don't they do a small monthly subscription rather than a huge cost per course. I think they'd have probably done better to have started off with the monthly subscription than to introduce it now but it would probably still be a better idea than paying stupid amounts for a two week course.

[hobbitblue]

Exactly, the OU has kudos, though the way the government has gutted their funding makes things harder, so I suppose FL works out cheaper but what's the point if nobody recognises its worth?

Usual thing, they assume everyone is affluent - clearly haven't been reading their user feedback surveys if they think that, mind you.