Introductions

Welcome to our course on mature learners.

Over the next two weeks we will be exploring the concept of what it means to be a mature learner, how that might have changed in recent years, and what you can expect if you’re considering returning to education, particularly within a university setting.

By the end of the course, we will have explored:

• The history of mature learners and who they are now

• What is involved in making the decision to return to education

• The range of support systems available to mature learners such as finance, child care, mature learning networks, academic skills development

• What a mature learner may need to succeed in the learning environment

My name is Julie Knowles and I will be your guide through this course, so please follow me by clicking the link above… and then coming back! As you progress through the following steps you will hear from me, and a range of other contributors as we explore the various facets of mature learning based on practices and research.

We look forward to learning with you over the next couple of weeks, and hope that you enjoy the course.

Please note that active tutor facilitation is limited to the number of teaching weeks from when the course run started. Please do not therefore expect any further tutor engagement from 29 June 2020, though you are very welcome to continue to work through the course materials in a self-directed fashion from that point.

Get extra benefits, upgrade your course

You can now get extra benefits by upgrading this course, including:

• Unlimited access to the course: Go at your own pace with unlimited access to the course for as long as it exists on FutureLearn.

• A Certificate of Achievement: To help you demonstrate your learning we’ll send you a Certificate of Achievement when you become eligible.