This course is part of the Futures Thinking Specialization

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Jane McGonigal

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Futures Thinking SpecializationInstitute for the Future

About this Course

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Do you want to think about the future with more creativity and optimism? Do you want to see what’s coming faster, so you can be better prepared for disruptions and more in control of your future? Do you want to get better at changing what’s possible today – in your company, your industry, your community, and in your own life?
This course will introduce you to the practice of futures thinking, as developed and applied for the past 50 years by the Institute for the Future, a Silicon-Valley-based research and learning group founded in 1968. In this course, you’ll build your  understanding of what futures thinking is and what you can do with it. You’ll master essential foresight techniques. You’ll meet some professional futurists. And you’ll choose one or more future topics you want to investigate with your new foresight skills.

This course is for anyone who wants to spot opportunities for innovation and invention faster. You can gain the skills and confidence to help YOU become someone who makes the future, instead of letting the future happen to you.

Many thanks to the Enlight Foundation and the Enlight Collaborative, which provided a grant to support the creation of this course.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

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Course 1 of 5 in the

Futures Thinking Specialization

Beginner Level

This course is for everyone! No previous experience required.

Approx. 11 hours to complete

English

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What you will learn

Define futures thinking and give examples of futures projects
Collect and analyze signals of change
Identify historical change in the past to predict new changes in the future
Learn how to avoid future shock - and help others avoid it, too!

Skills you will gain

Foresight
Creativity
Strategic Thinking
Innovation
Leadership

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Course 1 of 5 in the

Futures Thinking Specialization

Beginner Level

This course is for everyone! No previous experience required.

Approx. 11 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.87/5 (394 Ratings)

Jane McGonigal

Research Director

52,624 Learners

6 Courses

Offered by

Institute for the Future

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating96%(6,964 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

3 hours to complete

Welcome to the Future

3 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 42 min), 7 readings, 4 quizzes

9 videos

Are you ready to learn how to think like a futurist?4mWelcome to the course! Meet your professor Jane McGonigal3mGive me some examples of futures thinking!3mMeet some professional futurists1mWhat is futures thinking?4mMini-Masterclass: The Future Belongs to Everyone8mWhen does the future start?6mWhat are the benefits of futures thinking?7mChoose your own future!2m

7 readings

Take our 2-minute survey about the future2mWhat is Futures Thinking?10mWho Hires Futurists?5mHow to think like a futurist: The 5 key principles15mWhy Companies Work With Futurists15mWho Owns Your Future?15mSix Possible Futures of Food20m

3 practice exercises

What is futures thinking?10mWhen does the future start?5mWhat are the seven benefits of futures thinking?10m

Week2

Week 2

3 hours to complete

Signals of Change

3 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 43 min), 2 readings, 3 quizzes

7 videos

Introduction to Signals6mExamples of Signals10mFive Minutes in the Future of Food4mFive Minutes in the Future of Economic Justice5mHow to Interpret Signals6mYour Turn! Analyze a Signal2mWhere do you look for signals? And other FAQ6m

2 readings

Future of Work in 2030 - Signals Report30mMore Examples of Signals of Change10m

2 practice exercises

What's a signal of change?5mFuture of Work - Signals of Change10m

Week3

Week 3

2 hours to complete

Look Back to Look Forward

2 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 17 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes

Week4

Week 4

3 hours to complete

Four Types of Futures Thinking

This week, you'll learn: What are the four different types of futures thinking, and when should you use each type? You'll also try out a fun futures thinking tool: the "Future Four-Square" game. This tool will help you dig deeper on your own future topic.... whatever you're interested in exploring the future of! Finally, get ready to help a friend or colleague think about the future. After all, the best way to learn something new is to teach someone else!

3 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 29 min), 4 readings, 3 quizzes

7 videos

What's Your Future State of Mind?6mThe Four Types of Futures Thinking9mWhy I Future with Youth3mWhy I Future with Musicians2mWhy I Future with Incarcerated People2mWhy I Future with My City3mCongratulations! You've finished this course49s

4 readings

The Future as a Way of Life10mA Guide to The Four Types of Futures Thinking10mHow Professional Futurists Imagine the Future30mAn invitation to join our free Alumni Network2m

2 practice exercises

Can you identify the four types of futures thinking?10mWhy do people use futures thinking in their work?10m

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About the Futures Thinking Specialization

Do you want to think about the future with more creativity and optimism? Do you want to see what’s coming faster, so you can be better prepared for disruptions and more in control of your future? Do you want to get better at changing what’s possible today – in your company, your industry, your community, and in your own life?

This Specialization will introduce you to the practice of futures thinking, as developed and applied for the past 50 years by the Institute for the Future, a Silicon-Valley-based research and learning group founded in 1968. You’ll master essential foresight techniques. You’ll meet leading professional futurists. And you’ll choose one or more future topics you want to investigate with your new foresight skills. The Futures Thinking specialization is for anyone who wants to spot opportunities for innovation and invention faster. You can gain the skills and confidence to help YOU become someone who makes the future, instead of letting the future happen to you. You'll develop a more future-oriented mindset to make positive changes in your own life, as you start to see new possibilities more clearly and craft the personal future you want. This specialization is based on the “How to Think Like a Futurist” workshops taught by Jane McGonigal, PhD for Stanford University Continuing Studies. By taking this specialization, you'll have access to key lessons and tools from the Institute for the Future’s professional “Foresight Training” certification program.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Ready, Set, Future! Introduction to Futures Thinking

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