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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Becoming a changemaker: Introduction to Social Innovation by University of Cape Town

4.8
stars
1,527 ratings

About the Course

This course is for anyone who wants to make a difference. Whether you are already familiar with the field of social innovation or social entrepreneurship, working for an organization that wants to increase its social impact, or just starting out, this course will take you on a journey of exploring the complex problems that surround us and how to start thinking about solutions. We will debunk common assumptions around what resources are needed to begin acting as a social innovator. We will learn from the numerous examples of social innovations happening all over the world. You will be challenged to get out of your comfort zone and start engaging with the diverse spaces around you. By the end of the course, you will have formed your own approach to social innovation, and you will have begun to develop the concepts, mindset, skills, and relationships that will enable you to start and evolve as a changemaker. The Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship co-created this course with RLabs, a social movement ‘born-and-bred’ in Bridgetown, Cape Town that is now active in 22 countries. The movement empowers youth through innovative and disruptive technology by teaching them vital skills and providing much needed support and a sense of community. Advocating and supporting initiatives such as RLabs forms part of the Bertha Centre’s mandate. The Centre is a specialised unit at University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business, and is the first academic centre in Africa dedicated to advancing social innovation and entrepreneurship....

Top reviews

SI

Feb 10, 2018

Highly recommended for the change agents who have no background in social entrepreneurship. This course will walk you through step by step into changing the system for the better of humanity habitats.

SA

Jul 2, 2020

This course was great! I learned a lot through discussion and project submissions. I have not only learned how to create change in my community but I have taken the first steps to make it a reality.

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76 - 100 of 587 Reviews for Becoming a changemaker: Introduction to Social Innovation

By Maye R T

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Nov 6, 2020

I know of so many volunteers immersed in helping communities. The course is an avenue to go beyond the usual "help" and stretch it farther to greater heights! I found the entire course like an ART that even if you don´t know how to draw but mainly having that desire to draw; And with just a scratch paper and a pencil, something good can come out of it!

By Samir B

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May 26, 2020

Very inspirational. There are times I felt I am also part of RLabs. If I ever can visit Cape Town, I want to visit RLabs and probably spend a day or two volunteering some work. That would give me some alternative money to buy a coffee in the innovator's cafe. Finally, I really want to make something different, some small but positive change in the society.

By Felina M

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Jul 10, 2019

I am absolutely in love with the course curriculum and engagement of this class. I feel challenged by the quizzes and assignments. The lessons that I have learned from reading assignments from others participating in the class who reside in all parts of the world is invaluable. Thank you UCT for the time, effort and investment in creating this course.

By Daniel B

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Jul 26, 2020

The videos were very helpful in directing us to understand what was required by us. The social innovation allowed to go into environmental problems this was good for students who are Engineers, Architects or Building, great idea. The course was well structured it was incredible how the lessons were building blocks to creat the final plan or prototype,

By RAMESHWAR B

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Apr 18, 2020

This course is changed my life the way I thinking is changed now I feel more comfortable with people while I talk with them or explain something I want to be in touch with this organisation because I want to do more social works please guide me if something new is there I am very thankful to you thank you so much it was great honour to do this course

By Mitch C

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Aug 8, 2020

The lessons are informative but at same time, easy to comprehend. It will guide you from having a deeper understanding of the problem you want to address until coming up with a realistic and doable solution that is fitting in your social context. I recommend this course for those who want to start their social innovations for their communities.

By Misha

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Sep 8, 2019

I learnt so much from this course, especially in relation to practical implementation of ideas. It has also given me courage to go ahead and start something innovative (The course students and teachers know what im talking about!) on my own and do so with courage with a complete booklet of knowledge I need to take it one step ahead. Thank you!

By Ajayi O W

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Jun 30, 2020

This course is one of the best things to have happened to me during this global crisis. For someone like me who has been passionately helping for years and always seeking ways to get better, this course has opened my eyes to alot of things.. Like unused resources and i have gained more knowledge on how to make social impact work!

By Lynn W

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Oct 10, 2018

Excellent course! I learned a lot about social innovation and how to think not just outside the box but upside down, flipped around, and everything in-between. The lectures are easy to follow and the examples are solid ones. Would highly reccomend! Will take these lessons with me in every challenge I tackle. Very much appreciated!

By Daniel N A

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May 17, 2020

This course offers Virtually every individual needs to understanding Social Innovation. Elaborating on the different types of problems, Characteristics of wicked problems etc Bringing to light real life events and case studies. I must commend the facilators, Coursera and the team for putting together an interesting Course.

By Jessy T L

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Mar 22, 2021

Thank you to Coursera for providing such a wonderful course and learning experience which will help in personal and professional life. It gave me lot of insight ,leaning path which i will and can use in day to day life. Many Thanks to Coursera and i will recommend this to my friends and others. Thank you so much.

By Neli V

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May 20, 2020

Taking this course was an excellent decision on my side - everything in it was well-thought and selected on point: from the very competent instructors to the captivating real-life cases of social innovations. To all the people hesitating whether ot not to enroll: don't even think about it - you won't regret it!

By Loh Y L

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Aug 15, 2020

Other than teaching us how to kickstart a social innovation from scratch, I feel that this course also teaches us skills that can be applied to many aspects of life. For example, throughout the course you are encouraged to step out of your comfort zone and look at things in different ways. Highly recommended!

By Melanie H

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May 1, 2020

This is an excellent course, based in research and uses a wide range of materials.

The presentation is varied and provides theoretical and practical knowledge, with examples.

One is pushed out of your comfort zone to 'think further' and try ideas.

The peer reviews were valuable and provided some helpful inputs.

By Chris S

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Oct 7, 2019

Great introduction to social innovation and related concepts. I've recently started on a journey with a social innovation project and working through the course with this project in mind really helped me flesh out my ideas and give structure to my plan of action for it. Thanks so much for this course.

By Ashley O

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May 28, 2020

This course is exactly what I needed in order to learn the foundations of becoming a change maker. I feel like I now have the knowledge to tackle problems in my community, step out of my comfort zone, and create a positive impact . Great course if you want to step into the world of social innovation!

By Dr. A C

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Apr 24, 2020

This course is very much useful for aspiring social entrepreneurs. It gives a lot of insights into social innovation and all the faculty and guest speakers are highly practical oriented in the field of social entrepreneurship. Anybody willing to become social entrepreneur---Just go for this course.

By Christina G

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Oct 6, 2022

Taking Social Innovation course has opened up new avenues of resources, information, and organizations I never heard of. My challenges with the homeless population can be met by resources that are already in place and I don't have to reinvent the wheel. Just use the wheel that is already there.

By Nick C

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Jan 28, 2022

a wonderful course. I really enjoyed. it wasn't so easy as you have to write many essays. It was really interesting to see the work being done in S.Africa.The teachers were inspiring and fascinating to listen to.I recommend this course if you want to learn change the world. Best course on Coursera

By Michael H

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Feb 21, 2021

This was my first course on coursera and I'm just overwhelmed. Marlon, François, Warren and all the other people from RLabs or University of Cape Town are soooo inspiring! I've already started my own little project and I'm sure that's just the start of a very long, exciting journey! Thank you all!

By Brighton T

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Oct 30, 2017

Not only did I gain innovative ideas that will help transform my community but as I continued along doing this course, I also stumbled upon two big business ideas which hopefully are going to be life-changing. I don't know if that could have been possible without taking on this course. Thank you!

By Clara

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Sep 4, 2019

The alignment to a Social Innovation project that commenced in 2017 in CapeTown, before Social Innovation was a known entity for community benefits, with the academic insights and knowledge combine to make this not only valuable for learning about Social Innovation, but inspirational as well.

By Michal S

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Feb 26, 2019

It was a very well prepared and very practical course. I love the cooperation of the university and the social enterprise that gives the course a very practical point of view. You immediately see what are the learnings good for or where they actually come from. Thanks so much for this course!

By Linda S

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Jul 11, 2020

Awesome , Awesome, Awesome. Had so much fun doing this course whilst the Lockdown was on in South Africa.

Very informative, even used some of the skills I learnt to provide items to a NGO during their lockdown as they have a soup kitchen.

Networking is definitely key to being a changemaker.

By Mary N B

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Oct 21, 2019

This was an amazing course that helps you think past your own, isolated thoughts and self-limiting believes and helps you figure out how small changes can make huge impacts. If you’re looking for self-improvement & how to make your corner of the world better - this is the course for you!