Building Human Connection in a Digital World (FutureLearn)

Over two weeks, you’ll build your skills in communication, collaboration and critical thinking, as you explore how technology can be used to solve the challenge of isolation.

How does the online world impact communication?

Alongside a global community of learners, you’ll examine the highs and lows of online communication – exploring how it can impact people’s well-being and the barriers that need to be overcome to create meaningful and truthful connections in the online world.

Using lockdown as a case in point, you’ll also have the chance to think about how technology can help to foster digital connections when physical closeness isn’t possible!

What’s the problem with fake news online?

Technology today means information can be instantly shared around the world at the click of a button.

Using COVID-19 as a case study, you’ll learn about the impact of online misinformation on our society.

You’ll consider how tech can instead be used to create fact-based online communities and in turn improve human interaction online.

Tackle social isolation with technology

The final step of this course invites you to innovate and create a product, service, or app that will help end isolation. You’ll be encouraged to think critically and thoughtfully about how technology might solve social isolation in the future.

You’ll also learn tips and tools that will help you to prepare your idea for entry into Samsung’s tech for good competition, Solve for Tomorrow, that’s open to all 18 to 25-year-olds in the UK.

What topics will you cover?

Week 1 covers a range of topics on the theme of using technology to overcome isolation in a digital world. These include: how Covid 19 has impacted social isolation, why being more digital means being more human, and the highs and lows of digital connections during lockdown.

Week 2 covers how we can connect truthfully online with Matteo Bergamini, how to change lenses in a digital world with Rachel Monteagudo, and hear thoughts from Lady Leshurr.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

- Reflect on how you use technology to connect digitally and how this makes you and others feel

- Identify tangible actions that you can take to contribute to overcome this challenge

- Develop practical skills on how to communicate effectively, collaborate with others, think critically and formulate a creative solution

Who is the course for?

This course is primarily designed for 18 to 25-year-olds interested in how technology can be used to put a stop to social isolation.

This course draws on teachings and conversation with Matteo Bergamini, Jag Minhas, Lady Leshurr, Liv Little, and Rachel Monteagudo, who are all passionate about building human connections using technology.

You’ll be encouraged to engage with the course experts on every step of the course and discuss as you learn with your fellow learners taking the course around the world.