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FutureLearn Under New Leadership Expands Paywall, Restricts Course Binging

 1 year ago
source link: https://www.classcentral.com/report/futurelearn-expands-paywall/
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futurelearn-expands-paywall-banner.png
An example of the course material release schedule on FutureLearn

FutureLearn was the first MOOC provider to add a time-based paywall in 2017, limiting access after a course ends for free learners. Class Central has discovered that now, this paywall has been expanded further.

Basic Access vs Limited Access

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FutureLearn: Buying vs subscribing vs free-auditing (Jan 2023 screenshot. Prices in Australian dollars.)

Previously, the free tier was called “Basic access” but now it’s called “Limited Access”. The key difference lies in the additional “Learn at your own pace” row in the pricing chart shown above.

I enrolled in a FutureLearn course with free limited access and discovered that the second and subsequent weeks of the course were locked and would only become unlocked on a weekly basis.

futurelearn-course-material-release-schedule.png
FutureLearn course materials release schedule in free-audit mode

When I tried to access the second week, an invitation popped up inviting me to pay for the course or join FutureLearn Unlimited (which is currently discounted until the end of February 2023).

So, if I want to binge the course (as I often do), I’ll have to pay for the privilege. Otherwise, I will need to take it week by week.

This is one of the first visible changes we have seen from FutureLearn’s new management. Last year, after facing a cash crunch, followed by layoffs, the company was acquired by Netherlands-based Global University Systems (GUS).

Pat Bowden Profile Image

Pat Bowden

Online learning specialist, still learning after 100+ MOOCs completed since 2012. Class Central customer support and help since 2018.

I am keen to help others make the most of online learning, so I set up a website:  www.onlinelearningsuccess.org


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