Understanding Information and Technology Today (FutureLearn)

Understanding Information and Technology Today (FutureLearn)

Non-technological ‘big picture’ of technology and information systems to help you understand what technology can do for you today. When we talk about technology and IS (information systems) we tend to focus on computers. Instead, in this course we examine the ‘big picture’ of technology, in order to gain a better understanding of what computers can do for us and when we should switch off our computers, smartphones, tablets and wearables.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

We cover some of the fundamental concepts of technology and IS but the aim is not to provide an in-depth understanding of specific applications, but to help you develop a context for the technologies you encounter and to help you understand the changes in the technology landscape.

What will you achieve?

  • Develop a 'big picture' understanidng of IS/ICT and its use in organisations
  • Evaluate where to put a database and where a knowledge base
  • Describe IS/ICT strategy as an aspect of corporate strategy
  • Explore basic concepts that you need to communicate with IS/ICT specialists.
  • Compare variants of cloud-computing.
  • Compare your experiences of using smart technology.
  • Discuss the possibilities and consequences of artificial intelligence.
Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Ubiquitous Learning and Instructional Technologies (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Ubiquitous Learning and Instructional Technologies (Coursera)

This course will analyze currently available technologies for learning. Areas addressed include: learning management systems, intelligent tutors, computer adaptive testing, gamification, simulations, learning in and through social media and peer interaction, universal design for learning, differentiated instruction systems, big data and learning analytics, attention monitoring, and affect-aware systems.

Jun 8th 2026
4 Weeks
Technical Support Fundamentals (Coursera) Coursera
Google

Technical Support Fundamentals (Coursera)

This course is the first of a series that aims to prepare you for a role as an entry-level IT Support Specialist. In this course, you’ll be introduced to the world of Information Technology, or IT. You’ll learn about the different facets of Information Technology, like computer hardware, the Internet, computer software, troubleshooting, and customer service. This course covers a wide variety of topics in IT that are designed to give you an overview of what’s to come in this certificate program.

Jun 8th 2026
5-12 Weeks
The Internet of Things (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
King's College London

The Internet of Things (FutureLearn)

Learn how IoT works, and how to create a successful product or company using it, with this free online course. Entrepreneurs love it, large corporations love it, universities and now even governments love it – welcome to the exciting and emerging world of the Internet of Things (IoT). Decades ago, we connected computers and got today’s powerful Internet. However, it’s only been over the last few years that we’ve started to connect everyday objects using machine-to-machine (M2M) technologies, to create the Internet of Things.

No sessions available
4 Weeks
Impact of Technology: How To Lead Classroom Discussions (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Raspberry Pi Foundation,National Centre for Computing Education

Impact of Technology: How To Lead Classroom Discussions (FutureLearn)

Learn how to keep 14-16 year-old students engaged in discussions while teaching computer science. Supported by Google. Discover how to keep discussions productive and meaningful in the classroom. On this course, teachers will explore the ethical, legal, cultural, and environmental concerns surrounding computer science. You will build the skills needed to hold relevant, open, and exciting discussions in the classroom.

Nov 1st 2021
3 Weeks
Emerging Trends & Technologies in the Virtual K-12 Classroom (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

Emerging Trends & Technologies in the Virtual K-12 Classroom (Coursera)

Welcome to Emerging Trends and Technologies in K-12! This course will help you evaluate and implement technology in the most useful way within your virtual classroom setting. We will discuss the possibilities and challenges of using technology in fully online environments, although many of the ideas can be applied to blended and traditional environments as well.

Jun 8th 2026
4 Weeks
Security Best Practices in Google Cloud (Coursera) Coursera
Google Cloud

Security Best Practices in Google Cloud (Coursera)

This self-paced training course gives participants broad study of security controls and techniques on Google Cloud. Through recorded lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on labs, participants explore and deploy the components of a secure Google Cloud solution, including Cloud Storage access control technologies, Security Keys, Customer-Supplied Encryption Keys, API access controls, scoping, shielded VMs, encryption, and signed URLs. It also covers securing Kubernetes environments.

Jun 8th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Frontier Physics, Future Technologies (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of York

Frontier Physics, Future Technologies (FutureLearn)

Expand your understanding of modern physics and discover how we can solve societal problems by developing future technologies. Explore the mysteries of the universe through cutting-edge physics. Physics is the most fundamental of the sciences. By studying the properties of energy and matter, physicists aim to explain the many mysteries of the universe.

Available now
3 Weeks
IS/IT Governance (Coursera) Coursera
University of Minnesota

IS/IT Governance (Coursera)

Firms make significant investments in IT. In the IS/IT Governance course we will discuss how to govern IT to make sure that the IT investments contribute to organizational goals and strategies. Firms need to formally evaluate significant IT investments. IT investments are also risky, so firms need to consider the risk associated with the investments to appropriately evaluate the investment. We will discuss how to evaluate IT investments.

Jun 8th 2026
5-12 Weeks
eHealth: Combining Psychology, Technology and Health (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Twente

eHealth: Combining Psychology, Technology and Health (FutureLearn)

How can technology make you healthy? Learn about the design, application, implementation and evaluation of eHealth. eHealth refers to the use of technologies to improve well-being, health, and healthcare. It is an umbrella term that captures concepts about the health context, technology, and people. In this free online course, we will provide you with insight into the domain of eHealth, describe methods to develop eHealth, and explain theories that enable behaviour change and facilitate implementation.

Available now
5-12 Weeks
Revolutionising the Food Chain with Technology (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Queen’s University Belfast,EIT Food,EIT

Revolutionising the Food Chain with Technology (FutureLearn)

Explore how technology and digitalisation can change how the food system operates, reducing waste and environmental pressures. Discover how innovative technologies could revolutionise the food sector. Food quality and safety is increasingly under threat as natural resources are stretched by climate change, hunger, and explosive population growth. On this course, you’ll learn how the food sector can respond to these challenges by adopting innovative tech.

Jan 2nd 2023
5-12 Weeks
Aspectos básicos de la asistencia técnica (Coursera) Coursera
Google

Aspectos básicos de la asistencia técnica (Coursera)

Este curso es el primero de una serie que tiene como objetivo prepararte para un rol como especialista de soporte de TI de nivel inicial. En este curso, serás introducido en el mundo de la tecnología de la información, o TI. Aprenderás sobre las diferentes facetas de la tecnología de la información como hardware y software informático, Internet, solución de problemas y servicio al cliente.

Jun 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks