A Digital Edge: Essentials for the Online Learner

4.6 (178 reviews)

12,806 enrolled on this course

4 weeks
3 hours per week
Digital certificate when eligible
Open level

Find out more about how to join this course

Discover the skills and tools you need to learn online effectively

This course is designed to give students the digital edge to succeed as an online learner at university and set you on the path to achieving your learning goals.

Take the first step in your online learning journey

On this interactive course, you’ll discover what successful online learning looks like, and reflect on how you can contribute collaboratively online, and find your own online support groups.

You’ll identify the tools and resources you need to get the most out of your independent learning and studies.

As you learn how to develop and professionalise your online identity and safeguard your online presence, you’ll pick up the skills required to thrive as a lifelong learner in today’s rapidly changing digital world.

Study with online learning experts

Designed by leaders in online learning, drawing on UNESCO’s Learning Compass 2030 and the European LifeComp Framework, this course is co-facilitated by students. You’ll have the chance to learn about the challenges and opportunities of online learning from students who have experienced it themselves.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 7 seconds Learning online requires a new set of skills to master. It is not the same as learning in a physical classroom. This interactive course gives you the edge to succeed as an online learner.

Skip to 0 minutes and 26 seconds It equips you with the tools and know how to get the most out of your studies and thrive as a lifelong learner. Uniquely, this course is co-facilitated by students and includes the rich experiences of successful online learners.

Skip to 0 minutes and 47 seconds Make this course the first step in your online learning journey.

What topics will you cover?

Taking charge of your learning
Setting goals and establishing good learning habits
Creating the right places and spaces for learning
Managing collaboration and effective online relationships
Developing your online support network
Harnessing digital tools and online resources
Looking after your digital well-being and flourishing online
Managing and professionalizing your online identity
Generative AI and its role in Online Education
Academic Integrity

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Reflect on and apply different ways of thinking.
Develop good study habits and create your space for learning.
Engage more effectively with instructors and online content.
Contribute successfully to online collaborations with peers.
Identify digital tools and online resources relevant to your learning.
Identify and make the most of your wider support network.
Improve and manage your online identity.
Discuss your well-being and know how to flourish online.
Demonstrate an understanding of what academic integrity is and its importance in an academic and professional context
Identify situations of academic misconduct including plagiarism, collusion, contract cheating, and fabrication in academic practice.
Demonstrate techniques to avoid plagiarism.
Apply strategies to prevent academic misconduct in general.
Employ onsite and online resources to uphold the practice of academic integrity.
Understand the role of Generative AI in modern information search.
Consider the ethical implications of AI use in education.
Identify the best use of AI in education.
Acknowledge the limitations of AI in education.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for higher education students at all levels who’d like to enhance their online learning experience.

It’s also suitable for those who want to become more capable online learners for their chosen careers.

Who will you learn with?

Mairéad Nic Giolla Mhichíl

Associate Professor and Senior Researcher in Dublin City University. Head of the Ideas Lab in the National Institute for Digital Learning@DCU - @1MNGM

Alan Smeaton

I'm Professor of Computing for +20 years, I work in media analysis, developing machine learning & AI for analysing image & video and I have particular interest in using computing to support our memory

Samantha (Jiaxin) Xu

Academic Integrity Officer at Dublin City University. I'm passionate about sharing effective curriculum and assessment design to enhance academic integrity. I have also taught in HE for over a decade.

Who developed the course?

Dublin City University

Dublin City University is a young, dynamic and ambitious Irish university with a distinctive mission to transform lives and societies through education, research and innovation.

Endorsers and supporters

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Ways to learn	Buy this course	Subscribe & save	Limited access
Choose the best way to learn for you!	$89/one-off payment	$244.99 for a whole year Automatically renews	Free
	Fulfill your current learning need	Develop skills to further your career	Sample the course materials
Access to this course	tick	tick	Access expires 10 Nov 2024
Access to 1,000+ courses	cross	tick	cross
Learn at your own pace	tick	tick	cross
Discuss your learning in comments	tick	tick	tick
Certificate when you're eligible	Printed and digital	Digital only	cross
	Continue & Upgrade
		Cancel for free anytime

Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

Access to this course
Access to 1,000+ courses
Learn at your own pace
Discuss your learning in comments
Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$89/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

Access to this course
Learn at your own pace
Discuss your learning in comments
Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Continue & Upgrade

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

Access expires 10 Nov 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 31 October 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 31 October 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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