Diabetes Explained
Gain a solid understanding of diabetes as you learn to identify the types, risk factors, and signs of this chronic condition.
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
2 hours
Diabetes Explained
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Discover the importance of understanding diabetes
It’s estimated that over 400 million people worldwide are diabetic. Understanding more about this chronic disease is key in helping those who live with it and preventing other associated health issues such as heart attacks, amputations, strokes, and kidney failure.
On this three-week course, you’ll develop a strong understanding of diabetes to apply to your own life or to anyone you know living with the condition.
Learning from the experts at UCOL (Universal College of Learning), you’ll gain the knowledge to improve your own health and wellbeing and those living with diabetes.
Learn the difference between the types of diabetes
You’ll start by exploring the difference between type 1 and 2 diabetes as well as gestational diabetes to enhance your understanding of the conditions.
To develop your knowledge, you’ll then investigate diabetes on a global scale and within your own country to understand how it affects different people.
Explore the risk factors of diabetes
Next, you’ll learn more about the human body and food to understand the role sugar plays in the progression of diabetes.
With this knowledge, you’ll then be able to determine the risk factors of diabetes such as diet, family history, and cholesterol.
Learn to spot the signs of diabetes
Knowing how to spot the signs of diabetes is crucial for early diagnosis. On the course, you’ll learn to identify the different symptoms such as tiredness, frequent urination, and numb or tingling feet.
You’ll then unpack the complications of diabetes to understand the associated health issues to be aware of and the potential solutions to help minimise risk.
By the end of the course, you’ll have the in-depth knowledge to improve your own health and wellbeing, or anyone you know living with diabetes.
Syllabus
Week 1
What is Diabetes?
Welcome to the Course
Find out more about what you are learning, who the lecturers for the course are and why its important to know what diabetes is.
An Introduction
Its quiz time!! We give you the chance to find out how much you know about diabetes. Shohn also gives his perspective and an overview of what happens in the body when someone is diagnosed with diabetes.
Prediabetes
Although not a form of diabetes, knowing what prediabetes will help to prevent type 2 diabetes in the long term.
Types of Diabetes
Nicola differentiates between the types of diabetes, giving an overview of each.
Why is it Important to Understand Diabetes?
Nicola gives an overview of the alarming diabetes statistics and why its becoming a global health crisis.
What Does the World Say?
Nicola gives an overview of what type 2 diabetes is like in New Zealand. You will then be given an opportunity to find out what its like in your own country.
End of Week One
Its quiz time again!! Have a go and see how much you have learnt this week. Also take some time and share with us your thoughts and ideas in regards to content. Check out the prompting questions to help you out.
Week 2
Testing and Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes
Testing for Diabetes
Check out one way of how you can be tested for diabetes.
Changeable Risk Factors
In this activity you will explore some of the changeable risk factors linked to Diabetes.
Non-changeable Risk Factors
In this activity you will explore some of the non-changeable risk factors linked to Diabetes.
End of Week Two
Its quiz time again!! Have a go and see how much you have learnt this week. Also take some time and share with us your thoughts and ideas in regards to content. Check out the prompting questions to help you out.
Week 3
Sugar and the Complications of Diabetes
Sugar
Nicola explains how sugar can play a major role in the onset of diabetes.
The Human Body
Find out what happens to the body if Type 2 diabetes isn't controlled.
Tackling the Global Crisis
Its debate time!! You will be given an opportunity to debate the changes which need to occur on the personal, interpersonal and society level in regards to the Type 2 diabetes epidemic.
End of week three
Its quiz time again!! Have a go and see how much you have learnt this week. Also take some time and share with us your thoughts and ideas in regards to content. Check out the prompting questions to help you out.
Next Steps
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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...
- Investigate and analyse diabetes as a disease in your country
- Differentiate between the types of diabetes
- Identify the modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors of diabetes
- Describe the complications of diabetes
- Understand how the body normally controls blood sugar
- Debate the changes which need to occur on the personal, interpersonal and society level
- Understand a way of testing for diabetes
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about diabetes. It will benefit those who have either been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes or know someone that has it.
It will also be useful for healthcare professionals who want to increase their knowledge on diabetes.
Who will you learn with?
Nicola Goss is a lecturer in diabetes and health at the Universal College of Learning / Te Pukenga. She enjoys competing in indoor and outdoor rowing in her spare time.
Helping people understand diabetes better is my passion. While working as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist in NZ, I helped people from diverse backgrounds. I enjoy spending time with my wife and son.
Who developed the course?
UCOL (Universal College of Learning) / Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
An educational institution with a history dating back to 1896, UCOL Limited has a proud and well-earned reputation for supporting our community’s learning. This connection with community is crucial to what we do, and it ensures that our programmes help students develop in-demand skills. Many of our lecturers are practitioners as well as teachers, and our partnerships with industry mean that the majority of our students get hands-on work experience.
Learning on FutureLearn
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- 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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