Dip a toe in the ocean of knowledge

Try an OU short course in 2002, says Margaret Johnson

Published: 05 February 2002

Those seeking to improve their German can now do so on a new residential short course run by the Open University in the town of Jena. Kapriolen: Action in German is open to all, not just current OU students, and follows the introduction of two other successful "freestanding" residential schools, Action in French and Enterprise: French for Business, held at Caen University, Normandie.

It is not for absolute beginners but for people who have learnt the language, roughly, to GCSE level – although formal qualifications are not necessary – and who wish to brush up their skills and soak up the local culture. The residential week is available on various dates in July and August 2002, with preparatory work beginning 5 May. Reservations for this year close in March.

Action in German is one of several new short courses from the OU this year, all designed to provide high-quality learning but without the commitment of a full course.

A new non-residential short course links to the BBC's oceanography series, The Blue Planet, broadcast last autumn. TV viewers inspired to learn more can now sign up for Life In The Oceans: Exploring Our Blue Planet, which includes footage from the series and uses the accompanying BBC book alongside OU material.

If you suffer from information overload a new short course called MOSAIC (Making Sense of Information in the Connected Age) could be just what you need. It provides a practical introduction to the skills involved in recognising when you need to search for information; searching for it systematically; looking at it critically; organising it efficiently; and presenting it clearly. Study involves about five hours a week online, with opportunities to experiment with electronic resources including databases and internet search engines.

There are more short courses in other areas of science and technology. Most non-residential courses can be completed in eight to 10 weeks, or taken less intensively over several months. For more information telephone 01908 653231 quoting ALCOE.