Institute for the Future
Futures Thinking Specialization
Institute for the Future

Futures Thinking Specialization

Ready Yourself for a Changing World. Learn the skills and mindsets of the world’s top futurists, so you can forecast what’s coming, imagine new possibilities, and seize control of your own future.

Jane McGonigal

Instructor: Jane McGonigal

Included with Coursera Plus

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

(1,583 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 months at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

(1,583 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 months at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers

What you'll learn

  • Build your future forecasting skills.

  • Learn how to use Institute for the Future’s most powerful foresight tools, designed to help you spot new opportunities for innovation and invention.

  • Gain insight into the most important new technologies, global events and big ideas that are already shaping the future.

  • Think more creatively and optimistically about what’s possible in the future.

Overview

What’s included

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English
23 practice exercises

Advance your subject-matter expertise

  • Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
  • Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
  • Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
  • Earn a career certificate from Institute for the Future

Specialization - 5 course series

What you'll 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'll gain

Forecasting, Collaboration, Creative Thinking, Trend Analysis, Creativity, Strategic Thinking, Analysis, Systems Thinking, Emerging Technologies, Innovation, Leadership, Proactivity, Optimism, and Professional Development

What you'll learn

  • Collect and Analyze SIGNALS OF CHANGE

  • Identify and Analyze GLOBAL DRIVERS OF CHANGE

  • Combine Signals and Drivers into FUTURE FORECASTS

  • Write SCENARIOS that tell a story about your FUTURE FORECAST

Skills you'll gain

Forecasting, Creativity, Market Trend, Strategic Thinking, Adaptability, Innovation, Trend Analysis, Storytelling, Creative Thinking, Proactivity, Critical Thinking, and Visionary

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Creative Thinking, Virtual Reality, Strategic Thinking, Self-Awareness, Empathy, Innovation, Storytelling, Cognitive flexibility, Simulations, Visionary, Personal Development, Strategic Planning, Creativity, Decision Making, and Adaptability

What you'll learn

  • Design and run a multiplayer forecasting game

  • Game out hard-to-predict consequences in any future scenario

  • Anticipate long-term harms of new technologies and how to prevent them

  • Create diverse, inclusive futures thinking communities

Skills you'll gain

Empathy, Systems Thinking, Creativity, Emerging Technologies, Visionary, Cognitive flexibility, Brainstorming, Strategic Planning, Interviewing Skills, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Communication Strategies, Innovation, Dealing With Ambiguity, Creative Thinking, Collaboration, Game Theory, and Strategic Thinking

What you'll learn

  • Describe your preferred future

  • Create artifacts from the future

  • Build an action roadmap to change the future

  • Organize a community to change the future

Skills you'll gain

Creative Thinking, Action Oriented, Goal Setting, Optimism, Creativity, Planning, Systems Thinking, Visionary, Persuasive Communication, Cultural Responsiveness, Innovation, Leadership, Storytelling, Strategic Planning, Discussion Facilitation, Community Organizing, and Strategic Thinking

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Jane McGonigal
Institute for the Future
6 Courses75,062 learners

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