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ExpertTracks are a longer and more in-depth learning experience than a standard short course and are accessible via a flexible subscription model.
Each ExpertTrack is made up of a collection of short courses. The short courses within an Expert Track are still split into weeks, activities, and steps.
Follow the design and build processes and guidance outlined within this partners site when developing an ExpertTrack. Specific features and unique processes for ExpertTracks are outlined below.
ExpertTrack features
- Monthly subscription with 7-day free trial, £36/m.
- Ideally, 3 - 5 courses (8 max) totalling 6-28 course weeks.
- Minimum 20 hours of learning, ideally over 40.
- Learning time of around 4 hours per week.
- On-demand and unfacilitated - learners can join at any point and start on any short course.
- Do not carry academic credit - but can be endorsed.
- Learners are encouraged to work through all the courses in the order provided but this is not mandated.
- Certificates are provided for each course and the entire ExpertTrack.
Learners must complete and earn a Certificate of Achievement on all the short courses within the ExpertTrack to gain an ExpertTrack Certificate. They automatically receive a pass email with a link to their ExpertTrack achievement page where they can download a digital and PDF ExpertTrack certificate.
Learners who don’t complete the whole ExpertTrack but do complete courses within it retain access to the short course Certificates of Achievement they have received, even after they stop subscribing to the ExpertTrack as a whole.
Course proposal for ExpertTracks
To submit a proposal for an ExpertTrack two tasks must be completed by a partner with organisation admin permission.
- Submit standard short course proposals for each of the courses that will nest within the ExpertTrack.
- Create an ExpertTrack shell (see below).
Submit these at the same time, and at least six weeks before your preferred launch date.
Our Copywriters use the information you input into the shell to write the ExpertTrack Course Description Page. The shell acts as the ‘course proposal’ for the overall ExpertTrack.
Create an ExpertTrack shell
Within Course Creator, select ‘create new ExpertTrack’ button within the 'programs’ tab.
Enter the required details and click submit.
- Title
- Url
- Launch date
- Description title copy
- Description copy
- Level - beginner / intermediate /advanced - (see below)
- Skills
- Requirements
- ‘Is this program right for you?’ copy
- Subject categories
Once your ExpertTrack proposals are approved we nest the short courses within the ExpertTrack shell for you.
If all or any of the short courses within your ExpertTrack already exist on the FutureLearn platform, there is no need to submit a new course proposal. We can help you create new runs and nest these within the ExpertTrack.
ExpertTrack levels
ExpertTracks should be assigned one of three levels to signify to learners what level of experience is required. On the Course Description Page prerequisites can be detailed. Include these within your shell.
Introductory (no prior experience required)
Learners on introductory courses may be brand new to the subject/industry or perhaps the learner has up to 1 year’s experience, training or education in the subject or more but it has been some time since they have engaged with it.
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Learners will typically take introductory courses if they have a personal interest in the subject or are at early stages of considering a career change.
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Courses mostly contain lower-order introductory learning outcomes and assessments.
Introductory level learning outcomes:
Collect… Record… Classify… Describe… Identify... Calculate… Solve… Explain… Interpret… Compare… Experiment… Explore…
Example: https://www.futurelearn.com/experttracks/data-analysis-fundamentals-with-excel
This ExpertTrack has been designed for learners who are new to Excel and to data analysis, who want to improve their skills. You may want to advance your career, perform tasks more efficiently, or test out whether a career in data analysis is really for you.
Intermediate (some related experience required)
Learners taking intermediate ExpertTracks will typically have 1 or more years of related industry experience, training or qualifications, perhaps in a formal education setting. They may have more but there has been some time since the learner has engaged with the subject matter.
- Learners are typically looking to update or consolidate their existing knowledge or skills or may be looking for a transition from a related subject or industry.
- Courses mostly contain middle-order intermediate learning outcomes and assessments.
Intermediate learning outcomes:
Investigate… Model… Synthesise… Summarise… Design… Develop… Apply… Demonstrate… Perform… Produce… Engage… Lead…
Example: https://www.futurelearn.com/experttracks/data-science-microsoft-azure-python-programming
This ExpertTrack has been developed to kickstart or boost a career in data science. In order to benefit from it, you should have basic knowledge of maths, some programming experience – ideally using Python, a willingness to learn through self-paced study.
Advanced (industry experience required)
Learners will usually have 3+ years’ recent work or study experience and will most likely be working in the field. Learners are looking to enhance their expertise through a structured course. In addition, learners are looking to benefit from growing their network or hear from industry/subject matter experts.
- Courses contain higher-order learning outcomes and assessments.
Advanced level learning outcomes:
Debate… Justify… Assess… Evaluate… Report… Collaborate… Contribute… Discuss… Improve… Modify… Reflect…
Main differences between an ExpertTrack and a Microcredential
Although Microcredentials and ExpertTracks are both made up of bundles of short courses, there are some key differentiators to be aware of.
- Microcredentials award academic credit and ExpertTracks do not
- ExpertTracks contain no facilitation; Microcredentials are expected to have a high level of facilitation
- Microcredentials must meet the requirements of the Common Microcredential Framework
- Microcredentials should generally contain a higher number of learning hours and more time allocated for independent research and self-study.
- Learners pay upfront for Microcredentials and learn in a closed cohort: whereas ExpertTracks are open to anyone, on a rolling intake and subscription basis.
To increase monetisation ExpertTracks should provide enough course content to last longer than the seven-day free trial.
To increase monetisation ExpertTracks should provide sufficient value to learners to encourage them to uphold their subscription.
Screenshots from Course Creator
Create an ExpertTrack shell in the 'Programs' tab:
Terminology on this page that you aren’t familiar with? Check out our glossary.
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