We are coming to the end of this academic year and many people are left wanting to learn more. At UNED Abierta there are possibilities to continue studying And you can expand your education without having to travel, simply with an internet connection and a device to connect from. Currently, no fewer than 54.000 people have chosen to pursue their studies thanks to this platform provided by UNED, which also offers free online courses, making education accessible to a wide range of people.
So if you are one of those people who like to enjoy learning from the comfort of your home, UNED Abierta makes it easy for youOn this platform, you'll find a variety of free and open courses regularly, many of them specifically designed for June and summer, when people usually have more free time to learn. Today, I want to tell you about some of the courses offered during this time of year and explain how the platform works, its advantages, and other options if you want to continue learning beyond just one course.
In the 2016 edition, for example, both courses (apps and video games) started on June 15 and ended on July 31, with an estimated dedication of about 25 hours.
The MOOCs of UNED Abierta are based on the platform OpenedX, an open-source learning management system (LMS) that allows universities and organizations around the world to design highly engaging and customized online learning platforms. Open edX technology is designed to support a massive number of studentsTherefore, you can study with thousands of people, access quality content, participate in forums and interactive activities, and do it all flexibly, at your own pace, and from anywhere.
Introduction to the development of Android apps for non-computer scientists
You don't have to be a knowledgeable computer scientist to be able to develop apps for Android, if you like the world of applications and you are not a computer scientist then this course is for you. This course It begins in June and it usually extends over several weeks, with an estimated duration of about 25 hours of total dedication that you can organize flexibly according to your availability.
This is a course that is based on a tool known as App Inventor And it's accessible to everyone, allowing them to create Android mobile applications without needing to be a computer expert. You won't need any programming knowledge, as it uses a visual methodology that will help you develop your application efficiently by dragging and dropping logical blocks instead of writing complex code.
This course can open doors to a booming market with a bright future, as people like to download apps on their tablets or smartphones for almost any task: leisure, productivity, health, education, finance, etc. Training in mobile application development is one of the most in-demand skills. both for people who want to start a business and for those who want to improve their employability in the technology sector.
You will also be able to learn firsthand the basic skills required in app development And at the end of the course you will be able to create your own mobile application and put it on the extensive Google Play Store application market, following the guidelines explained on publishing, updating and maintenance.
One of the great attractions of this type of course at UNED Abierta is that, being based on Open edX, They include explanatory videos, self-correcting quizzes, help forums, and downloadable materials.This combination of resources makes it easy for even someone with no prior experience to follow the entire process of designing, building, and testing their first app step by step.
To get the most out of this MOOC, it's best to plan a consistent weekly commitment, for example, by dividing the 25 hours into smaller blocks. This way, you can gradually assimilate concepts such as the user interface, the app's logic, and the use of components like buttons, lists, sensors, and internet connections.
Introduction to video game development from scratch
If you're passionate about video games, then this course starting in June is also for you. Just like the previous course, this one too It begins in the first weeks of June And it spans several weeks, so you still have time to consider whether you want to dedicate approximately 25 hours of your time to learning about video game development from scratch. Perhaps by the end of this course you'll want to become a video game developer or, at least, have a clear understanding of how the games you love are created.
This is a course that is accessible to anyone who wants to learn, without requiring a complex technical background. If you want to familiarize yourself with creating multiplatform videogames (Mac, Windows, Android, iPhone and iPad, Xbox 360, Wii, etc.) No prior programming knowledge is required, making it truly easy and appealing for those who want to learn game development. You'll be able to use a visual methodology that simplifies game development through the tool. U, one of the most widely used engines in the independent industry.
The UNED Abierta platform will guide you step by step in aspects such as handling the Unity environment, creating scenes and characters, configuring basic physics (gravity, collisions, movements) and including interactive elements. The goal is for you to be able to put together a small, functional video game. combining graphics, sounds, and simple gameplay mechanics.
As if that weren't enough, during the weeks that the course lasts you will be able to enter a market that, just like with apps, is also on the rise and has a great future. Video games are popular, and this is increasingly evident in society.They are consumed on mobile phones, consoles, computers and cloud platforms, and generate job opportunities in design, programming, digital art, interactive storytelling or quality assurance.
By the end of this course, you will have learned valuable knowledge about video game development and will be able to incorporate various elements into a single scene to create interactive and engaging gameplay. You will be able to work with cameras, lighting, playable characters, enemies, collectibles, and basic menus. The feeling of seeing your own game working is very motivating. And it's common that, after this first contact, you want to continue training with more resources or advanced courses.
The MOOC methodology of UNED Abierta, based on Open edX, allows you to repeat videos as many times as you need, download supporting materials, and participate in forums where other students share questions, tips, and solutions. This social component is very useful for learning video game development, as you'll be able to see different approaches to the same design or programming problem.
Other courses started but open
In addition to the courses that specifically begin in June, there are also some courses that are currently underway but, as They are open-ended and do not have a closing date.This means you can start and complete them whenever it suits you or your schedule allows, without depending on a specific start date. These types of courses typically require a standard commitment of around 25 hours to complete, although there is greater flexibility and you can progress at your own pace.
In these open MOOCs it is common to find videos, recommended readings, practical activities and self-assessment tests. Since there is no closing date, you can resume the course whenever you need to.This is especially useful for people who combine studies with work, family, or other responsibilities.
Through these courses, UNED also complements its regulated offering (Degrees, Masters, Doctorate and Postgraduate Program with Own Titles) with shorter proposals that are highly focused on updating knowledge. The Postgraduate Program includes courses that lead to the award of a University-awarded degree granted by UNED., with different levels: Master of Continuing Education, Diploma of Specialization, Diploma of Expert/and Certificate of Teacher Training.
To access these postgraduate studies, it is generally required to hold an official university degree (Bachelor's, Licentiate, Diploma, Engineering, Architecture, etc.). However, In some cases, additional specific prior training requirements may be established. Alternatively, in exceptional cases, the Rector's Office may waive the degree requirement if relevant professional experience is demonstrated and current university admission regulations are met. In such situations, the training could be completed, but a certificate of completion would be awarded instead of the university degree.
Geological Mapping: Interactive Three-Dimensional Labs Guide
This course provides students with a tool designed to help them evaluate, understand, and synthesize basic geological information obtained from the field and from maps, so they can understand the basic geological characteristics of our planet. Geological mapping is fundamental to interpreting Earth's history, locate natural resources, analyze geological risks or plan infrastructure safely.
Throughout the course, the interactive 3D guide allows you to visualize geological structures in 3D, rotate them, zoom in, and understand how they are represented on a 2D map. All of this, along with a wealth of supplementary information, will enable you to understand many aspects of our Earth: folds, faults, strata, rock formations, erosion and sedimentation processes, and more. It is a very useful training for students of science, engineering, the environment, or geology enthusiasts. who want to delve deeper into reading and interpreting maps.
Road safety education: harmful substances in driving
There are substances harmful to health such as drugs and alcohol, and their consumption can produce stimulation, dependence, depression of the central nervous system, and influence people's behavior. In the context of driving, these effects drastically increase the risk of an accident.by altering reflexes, reaction time, perception of the environment, and judgment when making decisions.
This topic is very important for raising awareness about prevention in society. The course analyzes the main types of substances (alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, drugs that affect attention, etc.), their short- and long-term effects, and how they interact with driving. Legal issues, penalties, speed limits, and prevention strategies are also addressed, with the aim of reducing accidents and promoting safer and more responsible mobility.
Furthermore, road safety training is designed for drivers in general, as well as transport professionals, educators, healthcare workers, and agents involved in road safety. Understanding the real impact of these substances on the nervous system and behavior It helps to design more effective prevention campaigns and to make more responsible decisions when driving.
The courses offered by UNED Abierta, both those starting in June and those open year-round, are part of a continuing education model that allows anyone to update their knowledge, explore new areas of study, or strengthen professional skills. Thanks to the use of the Open edX platform, the free nature of many MOOCs, and the diversity of topics available, It's easy to find a course that fits your interests and your schedule.whether in the technological, scientific, humanistic, social or professional development field.
Choosing one or more online courses from UNED Abierta for the month of June is an excellent way to take advantage of the end of the academic year, keep your mind active and give a boost to your resume with online university training, flexible and accessible to everyone.