Technology has changed the way we learn. Through MOOC, you can take free courses from famous Israeli universities about archaeology, the state of Israel, religion, the Bible, history, Kabbalism, design… There’s so much to learn, and so many resources available!
📖 What is MOOC? Why is it Free?
MOOC stands for “Massive Open Online Courses”, it’s open courses for everyone. The philosophy is that learning should not be restricted by time, background, financial resources, environment etc. So many of these courses are offered by top US universities, such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, etc.
There are many platforms that inherit the MOOC concept, such as Coursera, Edx, Udemy, Udacity, FutureLearn, etc.
The courses are free, and you get a certificate after learning. But later on, a new product – “verified certificate” was introduced. It’s not compulsory, but if you want to have a certificate after taking a course, then you need to pay $29-$49 for it. Otherwise, consider yourself an “audit” student.
Coursera and edX Courses
Every course is a little bit different. Some may require 1-2 hours study a week for a duration of 5 weeks, and some may be more demanding. Expect to watch videos, do home work and take quizzes.
Coursera (https://www.coursera.org/) offers some courses about Israel. Simply search “Israel”, and see what’s available there.
🔖 These are some links to courses that I personally like:
- The State of Israel: https://www.coursera.org/learn/israel
- The History of Israel: https://www.coursera.org/learn/history-israel & https://www.coursera.org/lea…/history-israel-sovereign-state
- The Root of Holocaust: https://www.coursera.org/learn/holocaust-introduction-1 & https://www.coursera.org/learn/holocaust-introduction-2
- The Rise and Fall of Jerusalem: https://www.coursera.org/learn/jerusalem
- Talmud: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-talmud
edX (https://www.edx.org) offers a more complete course on IsraelX. The difference with coursera is that these courses are offered by Israeli universities.
🔖 These are some links to courses that I personally like:
-
Ancient Israel and Judah (3-4 hours a week, for 8 weeks): https://www.edx.org/course/biblical-archaeology-the-archaeology-of-ancient-israel-and-judah
Archaeology of Ancient Israel and Judah (2-4 hours a week, for 9 weeks): https://www.edx.org/course/biblical-archaeology-the-archaeology-of-ancient-israel-and-judah
Early Christian Outlook on Gospels and Acts (3-4 hours a week, for 9 weeks): https://www.edx.org/course/early-christian-outlook-and-its-jewish-matrix-narratives-of-gospels-and-acts
Kabbalah (3-5 hours a week, for 5 weeks): https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-to-kabbalah-1
Arab Islamic History (3-4 hours, for 8 weeks): https://www.edx.org/course/arab-islamic-history-from-tribes-to-empires-0
I Began Taking This Course…
I’ve always been curious about “Biblical Archaeology”, so when it’s offered free, I jumped on it! You can start your course today! (The Link)
Expect to watch some videos, short articles, and answer a few quizzes. It’s easy and fun!
For example, you might be shown a 3-D model of an object, scrutinize it and try to figure out what this it! (In this case…. an incense burner)
What Can I Get from this Course?
Well, you’ll have a ton of knowledge. And if you choose to pursue a verified certificate ($29-$49), and if you pass the course, then yes, you’ll have a certificate. But it really depends which part of the world you come from, and if people take this kind of online certificate seriously. (Not so worthwhile if you are in Asia)
Before the paying option emerged in 2014, I completed some courses and got a certificate (Statement of Accomplishment) like this, and I never had a chance to use it.
But I guess learning is about personal enrichment right?
