Ready, Set, Future! Introduction to Futures Thinking
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.
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- Level Foundation
- Duration 11 hours
- Course by Institute for the Future
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Offered by
About
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.Modules
Welcome to the Course! Meet your Professor, Jane McGonigal
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4
Videos
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3
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Introduce yourself!
4
Videos
- Are you ready to learn how to think like a futurist?
- Welcome to the course! Meet your professor Jane McGonigal
- Give me some examples of futures thinking!
- Meet some professional futurists
3
Readings
- Take our 2-minute survey about the future
- What is Futures Thinking?
- Who Hires Futurists?
What is Futures Thinking?
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2
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- What is futures thinking?
2
Videos
- What is futures thinking?
- Mini-Masterclass: The Future Belongs to Everyone
1
Readings
- How to think like a futurist: The 5 key principles
When Does the Future Start?
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1
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- When does the future start?
1
Videos
- When does the future start?
1
Readings
- Why Companies Work With Futurists
What are the Benefits of Futures Thinking?
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1
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- What are the seven benefits of futures thinking?
1
Videos
- What are the benefits of futures thinking?
1
Readings
- Who Owns Your Future?
Example of a Futures Project: The Future of Food
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Future of Food
1
Readings
- Six Possible Futures of Food
Choose Your Own Future
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1
Videos
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1
PeerReview
1
Peer Review
- Choose your own future
1
Videos
- Choose your own future!
Introduction to Signals
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2
Videos
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- What's a signal of change?
2
Videos
- Introduction to Signals
- Examples of Signals
More Examples of Signals
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2
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Future of Work - Signals of Change
2
Videos
- Five Minutes in the Future of Food
- Five Minutes in the Future of Economic Justice
1
Readings
- Future of Work in 2030 - Signals Report
How to Interpret Signals
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2
Videos
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Your turn to analyze a signal!
2
Videos
- How to Interpret Signals
- Your Turn! Analyze a Signal
Where Do You Look for Signals? And Other FAQ
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1
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
PeerReview
1
Peer Review
- Collect and analyze a signal!
1
Videos
- Where do you look for signals? And other FAQ
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Readings
- More Examples of Signals of Change
Get Better at Noticing Change
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1
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- How have YOU changed over the past 10 years?
1
Videos
- Get Better at Noticing Change
1
Readings
- Excerpt: Hope in the Dark
How to Use the Tool: "Look Back to Look Forward"
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2
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
PeerReview
1
Peer Review
- Look back at your future topic.
2
Videos
- How to Look Back to Look Forward (Part I)
- How to Look Back to Look Forward (Part II)
1
Readings
- TOOL: Look Back to Look Forward
Let's Look Back Together
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2
Readings
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Who invented futures thinking, and why?
2
Readings
- The Future of Work is Task-Based, not Time-Based
- Who Invented Futures Thinking and Why?
What's your Future State of Mind?
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1
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Share your results from the four-square game!
1
Videos
- What's Your Future State of Mind?
1
Readings
- The Future as a Way of Life
The Four Types of Futures Thinking
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1
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
PeerReview
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Can you identify the four types of futures thinking?
1
Peer Review
- Help someone find their future!
1
Videos
- The Four Types of Futures Thinking
1
Readings
- A Guide to The Four Types of Futures Thinking
A Day in the Life of a Professional Futurist
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4
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Why do people use futures thinking in their work?
4
Videos
- Why I Future with Youth
- Why I Future with Musicians
- Why I Future with Incarcerated People
- Why I Future with My City
1
Readings
- How Professional Futurists Imagine the Future
Congratulations! You're Ready to Think Like a Futurist
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1
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- What's your biggest "a ha" moment from this course?
1
Videos
- Congratulations! You've finished this course
1
Readings
- An invitation to join our free Alumni Network
Auto Summary
Unlock your creativity and optimism with "Ready, Set, Future! Introduction to Futures Thinking." This personal development course, led by Coursera, dives into foresight techniques developed by the Institute for the Future. Over 660 minutes, you'll learn to anticipate disruptions and innovate in your company, industry, community, and life. With subscription options including Starter, Professional, and Paid, this foundational course is perfect for anyone eager to shape the future rather than just react to it. Join now and start making the future today!
Jane McGonigal