Courses - May to June 2026
Jun. 18th, 2026 03:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smallhobbitFutureLearn
Plants to Products: An Introduction to Biorefining (Aberystwyth University)
Plants to Products: Biorefining Feedstocks (Aberystwyth University)
I knew very little about biorefining before I took these courses. I know something more now, although I struggle with the scientific side. It was, however, a really interesting course with presenters who didn't look at the subject from a purely theoretical standpoint.
Comparative Literatures & Cultures: An Interdisciplinary Introduction (University of Bristol)
The course begins by looking at literature and the dominance of the western viewpoint. It progresses into looking at soft power and the way it's used by different nations to promote themselves, ending with a look at visual culture. While both concepts are important I felt three weeks looking at literatures would have been far more relevant.
Food Science & Nutrition: From Farm to Fork (University of Leeds)
Very little of the farm, and a much greater emphasis on new developments and the marketing of new products by different companies. It included the possibility of using a 3-D printer to create foods, which seems a particularly wasteful use of resources.
Multilingual practices: Tackling Challenges & Creating Opportunities (University of Groningen)
Quite interesting, it included looking at multilingual families and schools. It's unlikely to have any personal relevance for me, but I do think it's a good idea where appropriate.
Critical Language Awareness in Action (University of Groningen)
This started well, by looking at the varied uses of personal pronouns and then the active and passive voice. However, it then started what to me felt like using the methods that the first week had warned against, and became very critical of animal farming in any form. This wasn't improved by the misunderstanding of some information.
OpenLearn
How Places Affect Well-Being
Nothing wrong with the course, but I don't think I learnt anything new.
Plants to Products: An Introduction to Biorefining (Aberystwyth University)
Plants to Products: Biorefining Feedstocks (Aberystwyth University)
I knew very little about biorefining before I took these courses. I know something more now, although I struggle with the scientific side. It was, however, a really interesting course with presenters who didn't look at the subject from a purely theoretical standpoint.
Comparative Literatures & Cultures: An Interdisciplinary Introduction (University of Bristol)
The course begins by looking at literature and the dominance of the western viewpoint. It progresses into looking at soft power and the way it's used by different nations to promote themselves, ending with a look at visual culture. While both concepts are important I felt three weeks looking at literatures would have been far more relevant.
Food Science & Nutrition: From Farm to Fork (University of Leeds)
Very little of the farm, and a much greater emphasis on new developments and the marketing of new products by different companies. It included the possibility of using a 3-D printer to create foods, which seems a particularly wasteful use of resources.
Multilingual practices: Tackling Challenges & Creating Opportunities (University of Groningen)
Quite interesting, it included looking at multilingual families and schools. It's unlikely to have any personal relevance for me, but I do think it's a good idea where appropriate.
Critical Language Awareness in Action (University of Groningen)
This started well, by looking at the varied uses of personal pronouns and then the active and passive voice. However, it then started what to me felt like using the methods that the first week had warned against, and became very critical of animal farming in any form. This wasn't improved by the misunderstanding of some information.
OpenLearn
How Places Affect Well-Being
Nothing wrong with the course, but I don't think I learnt anything new.
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