Coursera- Free Courses for Parents

Have you heard about Coursera yet?

Coursera is on a quest to change the way that we do Education. And they have some REALLY neat classes coming up to broaden your "parenting" education :)

So what exactly is Coursera?
"We are a social entrepreneurship company that partners with the top universities in the world to offer courses online for anyone to take, for free. We envision a future where the top universities are educating not only thousands of students, but millions. Our technology enables the best professors to teach tens or hundreds of thousands of students."

Through this, we hope to give everyone access to the world-class education that has so far been available only to a select few. We want to empower people with education that will improve their lives, the lives of their families, and the communities they live in." (source)

How it works- According to them... and I quote:

"Choose from 300+ courses in over 20 categories created by 62 Universities from 16 countries.

Watch short video lectures, take interactive quizzes, complete peer graded assessments, and interact live with your new classmates and teachers.

Finish your class, receive recognition for a job well done, and achieve your goals, whether they be career, personal, or educational." (source)

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I perused their site and found some classes that might be of interest to any parent looking to broaden their education and understanding of their child or parenting in general.
Keep in mind- ALL OF THESE ARE COLLEGE LEVEL CLASSES TAUGHT BY TOP UNIVERSITIES (INCLUDING HARVARD, STANFORD, AND YALE...  THEY ARE ALL ONLINE...AND THEY ARE ALL FREE!


CHILDREN ACQUIRING LITERACY NATURALLY
Taught by Professor Dominic William Massaro
 UC Santa Cruz

Synapses: "This course will survey fundamental principles of language acquisition and learning to read. We will explore the possibility of becoming literate without formal schooling and instruction. No prior background in behavioral science, neuroscience, or technology is required."

Next Session: TBD

CHILD NUTRITION AND COOKING
Taught by Professor Maya Adam
Stanford Univesity

Synapses: "Learn the basics of child nutrition and how to make healthy meals for healthy children and families."

Next Session: May 6, 2013
5 weeks long, 2-4 hours a week

INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
Taught by Professor Steve Joordans
Toronto University

Synapses: This course will highlight the most interesting experiments within the field of psychology, discussing the implications of those studies for our understanding of the human mind and human behavior.  We will explore the brain and some of the cognitive abilities it supports like memory, learning, attention, perception and consciousness.  We will examine human development - both in terms of growing up and growing old - and will discuss the manner in which the behavior of others affect our own thoughts and behavior.  Finally we will discuss various forms of mental illness and the treatments that are used to help those who suffer from them.  

Next Session: May 5, 2013
8 weeks long, 4-6 hours a week

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Taught by Professor Scott Plous
Wesleyan University

Synapses:"Each of us is dealt a different hand in life, but we all face similar questions when it comes to human behavior: What leads us to like one person and dislike another? How do conflicts and prejudices develop, and how can they be reduced? Can psychological research help protect the environment, and if so, how? This course offers an introduction to classic and contemporary social psychology, covering topics such as decision making, persuasion, group behavior, personal attraction, and factors that promote health and well-being."

Next Session: Jul 8, 2013
8 weeks long, 4-8 hours a week

For more information about these classes, or to sign up- visit the links above, or go to Coursera.org

(this is not a paid advertisement, nor am I sponsored by Coursera. I just REALLY like their vision!)