FAQs
1. What are the dates of the course?
This course is self-paced – you can enroll anytime, and complete the course materials any time before August 31, 2024.
A note on dates: edX suggests due dates to help you plan and pace your studies. You can submit assignments or exams any time up until the final end date of the course. Learn more about edX suggested due dates here.
2. I see that all the due dates are set in UTC. What is UTC?
All of the due dates and times are presented in UTC, which is Coordinated Universal Time, set equivalent to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). To convert the time in UTC to your time zone, please use a time zone converter, such as World Time Server.
3. How many hours a week will this course take?
Though it varies by person, this course should be on average 2-4 hours of work per week. This includes watching the lectures, completing the accompanying readings, doing the quizzes, and completing the activities. With this pace, you are able to finish the course in 10 weeks, but of course if you wish, you can also study in faster pace, for example 2 modules per week.
4. How can I assess my learning?
This course contains ungraded comprehension quizzes, reflection questions, worksheets and discussion activities.
VERIFIED LEARNERS: The final exam counts for 100% of your final grade. The Final Exam consists of information from all of the lectures. You must pass with a 70% or above to receive your Verified Certificate.
Whether or not you are pursuing a certificate, you are encouraged to complete all of the ungraded assessments, as they are your opportunity to gauge how well you understand the material. Each video chapter will have a series of corresponding comprehension questions.
Visit the "Assessments & Certificates" page for more information.
5. How do I receive a Certificate?
All learners, including the Verified Track and Audit Track, can receive a free UNESCO certificate upon completion of the course after submitting the post-course survey and passing the final exam with 70% or higher score. As UNESCO colleagues will be sending out course completion certificates manually, please allow some time to receive your certificate by email. Your email address will not be used for any commercial purposes.
For Verified Track, to receive a Verified certificate, learners must register via the edX platform, and obtain a proficiency score of 70% or higher in the final exam. Click here to learn more about edX Verified Certificates.
6. What is the difference between a Verified Certificate and a UNESCO certificate?
As a Verified Learner, your grades will be tracked and, once you complete the course with a proficiency score of 70%, you will receive the Verified Certificate awarded by the edX platform. Upgrading to the Verified Track costs $49 USD, and edX offers financial assistance for learners who qualify.
Learners who chose not to upgrade are Audit Learners. They have the opportunity to earn a free certificate of completion awarded by UNESCO, if they have audited the full course. To receive the UNESCO certificate, be sure to complete the post-course survey, upload proof of progress indicating the course completion percentage as shown below, and pass the final exam with 70% or higher score. You should automatically receive a certificate at the email address you provide.
7. Can I retake the final exam if I failed?
Yes, you can retake the final exam with the same Google link provided in the course. If the message "You've already responded" appears, please access the exam page again with another Gmail account.
8. Is this course free?
Yes, the course is completely free. There are no fees associated with enrolling in this course, and it is open to everyone.
9. Is the certification free?
The UNESCO Certificate of Completion is free for learners who successfully complete the course, pass the final exam, and submit the post-course survey. You do not need to pay for the UNESCO Certificate.
If you are interested in obtaining an edX Verified Certificate, you will need to upgrade to the Verified Track, and a fee will apply.
10. How do I apply for financial assistance?
EdX provides financial assistance to eligible individuals who want to upgrade to the Verified Track. To apply for financial assistance and pursue a Verified Certificate, please complete the edX Financial Assistance Application.
11. What resources will I need for this class?
Having a reliable internet connection will be helpful for the course. However, we will make an effort to provide materials that can be accessed even with slower internet speeds. The course is designed to work smoothly on the latest versions of most web browsers, with Google Chrome and Safari offering the best performance on the platform. You don't need any specific computer programs or books for this course. All the required readings will be provided as links.
12. What kind of background do I need for this course?
The course is open to all and does not require any prior background in the topics. It is designed to be accessible to students from various backgrounds.
13. Can I take this class for university credit?
No, this course does not offer university credit on its own. However, we encourage professors to consider incorporating the course material into their own curriculum.
14. Whom do I contact with questions?
If you have any further questions or need to contact us regarding the course, please email us at courses@sdgacademy.org. To ensure a prompt response, please specify that your inquiry is regarding the "Equitable Education" course, as this email is used for multiple courses.
For technical questions related to the edX platform, such as account issues and payments, please visit the edX Help Center.
If you have any questions about the UNESCO Certification of Completion, please email equitableeducation@sdgacademy.org. We are glad to assist you with any inquiries you may have.