The University of Sheffield is continuing to remove the barriers to higher education for people across the world with a new and exciting online dentistry course which is free and accessible to all.
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are transforming education giving everyone the unique opportunity to take part in a high quality, flexible and innovative learning experience.
The University has teamed up with FutureLearn, the first UK-led MOOCs provider of free, open, online higher education courses, to launch Discover Dentistry – an entertaining and illuminating course which explores the impact dentistry has on our lives. Discover Dentistry will enlighten learners with the truth about teeth – from the importance of a smile and how to fix broken teeth, to the letters and numbers called out by the dentist during a check-up and how dentures are made.
Participants will interact with experts from the School of Clinical Dentistry from the comfort of their own homes and learn about all aspects of the profession - starting with the public perception of dentistry, to the sometimes gruesome history of the job. The MOOC will give younger learners the unique opportunity to learn more about the subject which is not taught in schools, whilst an older audience have the chance to discover fascinating facts about their pearly whites.
Throughout the course innovative exercises will help to demystify the various roles and activities within a dental practice, and explore how common dental diseases and problems are treated by talking to professionals and watching them work. Dr Chris Stokes, from the Academic Unit of Restorative Dentistry who is teaching Discover Dentistry, said this course is for everyone.
"Whether you are an aspiring dentist, or want to learn about the interesting multidisciplinary world of looking after smiles, we are inviting anyone with an interest in the subject to join us for an entertaining and insightful exploration of your mouth and the people who care for it," said Dr Stokes.
"Lots of people would like to learn a bit more about what is happening when they go to the dentist. Running a course online means that we are able to offer this opportunity to people around the world – we are not limited by geography or class size."
A number of other intriguing MOOCs covering a broad spectrum of exciting subjects are already lined up for 2014. Marie Kinsey, Academic Lead for MOOCs and Director of Learning and Teaching at the Department of Journalism, said: "Discover Dentistry will be our first Massive Open Online Course with FutureLearn and has been a fascinating programme to work on. The University's MOOCs project will give more learners than ever access to some of the world leading research and teaching that goes on in the University and this is a great place to start." The course will start on Monday 3 March 2014 and run for six weeks. Learning time is three hours per week and there are no prerequisites for registering for the course and education or academic background is not important – budding learners simply need an internet connection.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching at the University of Sheffield, Professor Paul White, said: "The digital world is the future. Online education provides a means for the University of Sheffield to engage with learners from around the world and in circumstances we would otherwise never be able to reach out to. The courses are an important way for more people to access the high quality education that the University of Sheffield delivers." For more information or to register for the course visit https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/discover-dentistry
