OpenLearn Newsletter September 2012

Having trouble viewing this message? View in browser OpenLearn | YouTube | iTunes U | Twitter | Search the OU | Contact Us               OpenLearn Edition, September 2012             Welcome Whether it's a five-minute exploration or a 50-hour expedition into learning, you'll find it on OpenLearn from the Open University. Below you can find some of the articles, podcasts, videos and free online courses we've recently added to the site. And it's all free. Until next time, The OpenLearn team PS: if you don't want to receive these emails any more, it's easy to unsubscribe.               Share this email: Why not send this to a friend or colleague?                           Image copyright The Open University, 2012               60 Second Adventures in Economics     Ever shaken an invisible hand? Been flattened by a falling market? Or wondered what took the bend out of Phillips' curve? If you've got a minute, we can explain economic theory. David Mitchell is waiting to explain six key economic concepts in sixty seconds apiece. Which is pretty economical in itself, if you think about it.     Watch online or read a related article                         Image copyright The Open University, 2012               Order your free Wartime Farm booklet     Broadcast on BBC Two     How did a hungry island remain fed during a long, wearying conflict? This new OU/BBC series finds out. Order your free Wartime Farm booklet to learn more.     Order online or read a related article                         Image copyright The Open University, 2012               Play the boardroom lottery     What are your chances of reaching the top of the career ladder based on your gender, age, ethnic group and more? Play our Boardroom Lottery challenge to find out.     Play online or read a related article                         Image copyright The Open University, 2012               Guide to diagrams     Drawing diagrams is a very different type of communication than most of us are used to—but it allows us to think in new ways and encourages us to approach problems differently. In this series of videos and animations you will learn five different diagramming types that you can use to help solve complex problems and explore issues.     Watch online or read a related article                         Image copyright Eye Of Science/Science Photo Library               Detecting Down’s syndrome in the unborn fetus     Down's syndrome is the condition that is screened for the most in pregnant women because of the higher risk associated with the increasing age of mothers. This free online course describes several bioanalytical tests, and how these are used in conjunction with scans to screen and diagnose the condition.     Study online or read a related article                         Image by Mark Ramsay, CC BY-ND 2.0               Games, Geeks and the Parent's Dilemma     Video games are an everyday part of our children’s lives today. But many parents have concerns about the time their children spend gaming, and sometimes perceive games as addictive and unhealthy. Others see games as a creative medium, with positive educational benefits. This free podcast explores many of the issues surrounding the subject of children and video games.     Listen online or read a related article               The pitfalls of trying to measure happiness     The first national survey on well-being suggests that the happiest people are healthy home-owning rural couples with jobs. Writing for the Open University's Platform website, psychology lecturer Meg Barker cautions against taking the findings at face value. Also on Platform: Steven Primrose-Smith, AKA The Unicyclist, is coming to the end of his second year of studying while pedalling his way around 50 European capital cities. Plus, a first-class law degree is just the beginning for Donna Nicholls who is looking forward to a new career now her children are older.     Visit Platform to read more from the OU community                     We hope you found this newsletter useful, and we hope to see you on OpenLearn soon.   Share this email:             The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England & Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302). While we will take all reasonable precautions to make sure that other organizations who we deal with have good security practices, we are not responsible for the privacy practices of those organizations whose websites may be linked to our service. Not happy and want to unsubscribe? | Want to update your details? | Having trouble viewing this message? View in browser