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Create your own classroom

Years 11-13

If you are away from the formal classroom, you must accept the challenge of making this an opportunity to create your own classroom, as well as attending your school’s virtual teaching space. Here are some suggestions of free online content, including courses, that you can access. Take bullet point notes as relevant. We have also included some films we believe are ‘classic must-see’ experiences, both to educate and indeed entertain you.

TED Talks

TED Talks allow you to ‘stand on the shoulders of giants’ to see what they see, as they share their findings in short, jargon-free talks.

1. Science Talks

Science talks can supplement the scientific theory you learn in the classroom. Choose from the most popular Science talks.
2. AI

AI could be the future of technology and innovation. Choose from Artificial Intelligence (AI) talks.
3. Creativity

Soft skills, such as creativity, are invaluable in the workplace. Choose from talks to kickstart your creativity.
4. History

We can learn much about the present, and the future, from the past. Choose from talks on ideas about History.
5. Maths

Mathematics is not just ones and zeros – it very much applies to the real world. Choose from Maths talks to blow your mind.

Online Courses

Online courses, offered on platforms such as edX, are a fantastic way to learn something new from world-leading subject experts, all without spending a penny. Some alternatives to edX are listed in the Other Online Resources section (below).


1. Entrepreneurship

For those interested in Entrepreneurship:

  1. Launching a Startup with Babson College
  2. Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies with Harvard University (recommended by our former students)

 
2. Finance

Learn how to conquer Wall Street:

  1. Introduction to Investments with IIMB
  2. Introduction to FinTech with the University of Hong Kong
  3. Introduction to Corporate Finance with Columbia University:
  4. Blockchain and FinTech with the University of Hong Kong
  5. Risk and Return with Columbia University
3. Programming

Try your hand at some programming:

  1. Programming for Everybody (Python) with the University of Michigan
4. Environment

See how the environment influences our lives:

  1. Energy within Environmental Constraints with Harvard University
  2. Tropical Coastal Ecosystems with the University of Queensland
  3. The Health Effects of Climate Change with Harvard University
5. Engineering

Understand the basics of aerospace engineering:

  1. Introduction to Aerospace Structures and Materials with Delft University of Technology
6. Medicine

Become a budding clinician:

  1. Medical Terminology with Doane University
  2. Introduction to Clinical Psychology with the University of Queensland
7. English

Improve your English (native speaker or not):

  1. IELTS Academic Test Preparation with the University of Queensland
  2. How to Write an Essay with the University of California, Berkeley
  3. Shakespeare’s Hamlet: the Ghost with Harvard University
Ethics

Study what is just and what is ethical:

  1. Justice with Harvard University
  2. Bioethics with Harvard University
  3. Philosophy of Science with KTH

Famous Speeches

Listen to how great orators, from Winston Churchill to Martin Luther King, addressed the public throughout history.


1. Winston Churchill

Prime Minister Winston Churchill's famous wartime We Shall Fight On the Beaches speech, delivered on 4th June 1940 helped rally Britain in its fight against the Axis powers.

YouTube Audio

 
2. Martin Luther King

Dr Martin Luther King Jr's I Have a Dream address is undoubtedly one of the most influential American speeches of all time.

YouTube Footage
3. Ronald Reagan

President Ronald Reagan's Mr Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall plea called for the reunification of Germany.

YouTube Footage
4. Neville Chamberlain

Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's 1939 declaration of war marked the start of the Second World War following Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland.

YouTube Audio
5. John F Kennedy

President John F Kennedy's Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You remarks were delivered in his 1961 inaugural address.

YouTube Footage 
Franklin D Roosevelt

The Only Thing We Have To Fear Is Fear Itself, declared by President Franklin D Roosevelt at his inaugural address in 1933, became the rallying cry of the American recovery from the Great Depression.

YouTube Audio

Quality Newspapers

Keep up with current affairs by reading a reputable publication: these broadsheets* have non-paywall websites.

*The i newspaper is technically not a broadsheet, but is a reliable source of news; the BBC does not produce a physical newspaper.


1. BBC News

The BBC is an impartial, government-funded news and media organisation.

Website

 
2. The Telegraph

The Telegraph is a British broadsheet newspaper, which delivers reliable and accurate news.

Website
3. i

The i is a daily tabloid newspaper.

Website
4. The Guardian

The Guardian, or The Observer, its Sunday analogue, is a left-leaning international newspaper.

Website
5. The Independent

The Independent was a former British newspaper which now exclusively publishes online articles.

Website

Educational YouTube

Browse YouTube’s collection of educational content, including documentaries and analysis. Some of these channels have an associated website or magazine which you can access, although it may require payment.


1. National Geographic

National Geographic YouTube

 
2. HISTORY

HISTORY YouTube
3. Forbes

Forbes YouTube
4. TIME

TIME YouTube
5. New Scientist

New Scientist YouTube
6. The Economist

The Economist YouTube
7. Financial Times

Financial Times YouTube
8. Wall Street Journal

Wall Street Journal YouTube
9. The Times and The Sunday Times

The Times and The Sunday Times
10. The New Yorker

The New Yorker YouTube
11. Smithsonian Channel

Smithsonian YouTube
12. Oxford Union

Oxford Union YouTube
13. Vox

Vox YouTube
14. Cambridge University

Cambridge University YouTube
15. Harvard University

Harvard University YouTube
16. Princeton University

Princeton University YouTube
17. MIT

MIT YouTube
18. Nerdwriter1

Nerdwriter1 YouTube

Other Online Resources

Here is a list of other free resources which you can peruse at your leisure.


1. Khan Academy

Khan Academy is an online learning platform for students of all levels.

Website
2. Udemy

Similar to edX, Udemy allows you to take online courses (some of which are free).

Website
3. Duolingo

Duolingo offers free online language learning, presented in a game-like format.

Website
4. Babbel

Babbel is an online language learning tool, which offers some free lessons.

Website
5. Codecademy

Codecademy allows you to learn programming for free, although some features require payment.

Website
6. Google Scholar

Google Scholar is a database of free-to-access scholarly articles, which allows you to get a taste of university-level reading.

Website

Classic 'Must-See' Films

Delve into the classical movie literature to see how Hollywood* approaches key societal issues.

*La Dolce Vita is not an American film (it is Italian).


1. Citizen Kane

Year of release: 1941

Running time: 1 hour, 59 minutes

Language: English

IMDb rating: 8.3/10
2. La Dolce Vita

Year of release: 1960

Running time: 3 hours

Language: Italian

IMDb rating: 8/10

Full Movie

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