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Q3 2020 Coursera for Business Quarterly Product Release

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Q3 2020 Coursera for Business Quarterly Product Release
Shot of a young businessman using a laptop at his desk in a modern office

By Shwetabh Mittal, Senior Director, Product Management

The great lockdown caused by COVID-19 has accelerated the need for digital skills. Companies are reallocating their digital talent to stay competitive and dedicating more time and resources to helping their employees learn about digital technologies. The pandemic has had an even bigger impact on higher education: around 1.6 billion learners have been affected by school and campus closures. The growth of enrollments in online learning has gone up by 644 percent. 

COVID-19 is severely affecting the way our jobs are evolving, and it’s estimated that 149 million new digital jobs will be created within the next five years. The majority will be software development, cloud technology, data analysis, machine learning, and AI. Many workers now worry they lack the skills that will be most sought after when the economy starts back up. It’s our goal to enhance the Coursera platform in response and cater to the most in-demand skills. 

We recently touched on this in our Q3 update, where we explored the current skills landscape and how our latest content and product features will help you improve both skill development and measurement. Read on for all the details.

The current skills landscape: The backbone of the Fourth Industrial Revolution remains strong

At Coursera, we constantly analyze the data we get from our 70 million learners in more than 60 countries and match them to around 40,000 tagged skills. We use the insights we learn to help guide our customers and adapt our platform to reflect the skills landscape.

In our latest Global Skills Index, we found that industries with higher skill proficiencies, especially in technology, are seeing higher stock returns and less disruption from COVID-19. Investment in skills is crucial to remain relevant in today’s environment.

The most popular areas on Coursera are still data science, business, and technology – the backbone of the fourth industrial revolution. Python remains the number one skill, while there’s an increase in HTML, CSS, other web technologies, and the Internet of Things. On the data side, Microsoft Excel and SQL are on the rise. We’re seeing a decrease in general statistics, TensorFlow, and R programming because companies are increasingly focusing on basic data analysis. Finally, business skills that are going up are communication skills like negotiation and writing, and managing a supply chain. At the same time, Excel, project management, and leadership continue to dominate the top. 

For a deeper dive into talent transformation, download our Essential Skills Playbook as well as the Global Skills Index, and contact us to learn more about Coursera’s enterprise learning platform.

New content launches to drive skills development

We now have more than 4,500 courses on our platform, and four new ones launch every day. Our focus is on the most critical skills, and we are monitoring emerging and trending skills all the time. 

On the business side, for example, we’re investing in remote work, data-driven decision-making, and automation. In data science, we have a great data literacy course coming up, and in tech we’ll be expanding content in particular in cybersecurity and web development, covering the ever-evolving landscape of tools and programming languages. We’re also increasing our cloud computing content with a particular focus on certification prep, AWS, and Azure.

Here’s a quick overview of a few recent content launches:

By the end of 2020, we’ll have about 1,000 Guided Projects – hands-on learning experiences designed to be completed in less than two hours – on our platform. 

Introducing SkillSets, an intuitive way to build critical learning plans

In our conversations with companies about upskilling their employees, we’ve heard about four main challenges: it can be hard to build a learning plan that accurately reflects their needs, to find the right content and make it easily accessible, to maintain a high level of engagement after launch and foster a culture of learning, and finally to measure the value or ROI to know whether the program was successful.

To help you solve these challenges, we’ve created a new exciting Coursera feature called SkillSets – job-based learning programs that build critical skills proficiency.

SkillSets, currently in beta, enable learners and their employers to discover the future skills they need by role. Select from over 100 pre-made SkillSets that help develop critical and evergreen skills for key roles in your organization, so you can reskill and upskill team members efficiently. Alternatively, simply customize SkillSets or create them from scratch. 

This new SkillSets functionality is live on the Data Science, Cloud, and Software Engineering academies, with Leadership, Marketing, and Finance coming soon. To participate in the beta program, just talk to your customer success manager, and we’ll help you get set up. 

Streamlined Guided Projects authoring

We’ve also made it easier for businesses and universities to create their own Guided Projects. These are great opportunities for learners to practice their skills right in the browser. They don’t need to set up anything and just follow visual instructions in real-time.

The authoring experience has recently been improved to be much more seamless and intuitive for enterprise subject matter experts to tailor projects to their organization’s needs with minimal effort.

Making the most out of Guided Projects drives deeper mastery of the material and ensures learners really understand how they can apply their new skills within the context of the organization.

If you are interested in trying out our improved Guided Projects authoring, contact your Customer Success Manager for access. 

Transformative skills-first learning

Our latest enhancements to the Coursera platform will help you improve both skill development and measurement. Whether you’re looking to reskill or upskill your team, we’re giving you the tools to discover the content you need to achieve your learning goals, so you no longer need to worry about what the constantly evolving business landscape means for your organization. Our skills-first experience motivates learners and helps them boost their skills, while managers can ensure it’s tailored to their organization, plan learning objectives, and measure progress.

The world is going through constant change and disruption, which has resulted in a challenging transition for millions of workers. The good news is that online learning is easier and ever before. We’re excited about helping you plan for the skills of tomorrow, develop cutting-edge skills to stay competitive, and hire candidates with the right skill. 

To find out more about SkillSets, the streamlined Guided Projects authoring process, and everything else that’s now, watch our quarterly release webinar. Happy learning!

 

Coursera’s Enterprise Learning Platform Now Available in AWS Marketplace

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Coursera’s Enterprise Learning Platform Now Available in AWS Marketplace

By Leah Belsky, Chief Enterprise Officer, Coursera

Coursera’s enterprise learning platform is now available for purchase in Amazon Web Services (AWS) Marketplace. Starting today, technical teams using Amazon Web Services (AWS) can easily search and deploy online learning for their organizations using Coursera. Coursera’s robust enterprise offering includes access to courses from the world’s leading university and industry educators as well as an unmatched technology platform to manage skills development and derive insights. 

Being listed in the AWS Marketplace, which streamlines adoption of online learning, makes it easier for companies to take advantage of Coursera’s world-class online learning offerings and align learning and business goals for improved outcomes.

Accelerated digital transformation caused by the global pandemic has only heightened demand for reskilling in critical business, technology, and data science skills. Coursera’s 2020 Global Skills Index found that organizations effectively navigating COVID-19 are prioritizing training their workforces in critical technology and data science skills. 

Coursera equips thousands of leading organizations like Novartis, Capgemini, and Exelon with high-quality content and insights to drive lasting skills development. Our catalog of 4,300 courses taught by world-class educators like Yale University, AWS, and Google teach a range of job-relevant skills, including cloud computing, Python, neural networks, and web development. We also offer job-based learning programs for technical functions and teams like the Data Science, Cloud, and Software Engineering Academies.

We are grateful to AWS Marketplace for collaborating with Coursera to help organizations reskill their workforce for a competitive future.

Coursera’s enterprise offering can be purchased directly on AWS Marketplace here. Learn more about Coursera for Business here.

 

Rose-Carlette Aurélien: “Alison is known all over the world. People who get an Alison certificate will be able to work anywhere.”

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Rose-Carlette Aurélien: “Alison is known all over the world. People who get an Alison certificate will be able to work anywhere.”

“My name is Rose-Carlette Aurélien. I’m a medical technologist. I’ve been working in medical laboratories since 2013. I like to read and to acquire knowledge.”

How did you learn about Alison?

I learned about Alison online.

What was your first course on Alison, and why did you choose it?

My first course was an English language course. I chose it to improve my English.

 

What’s your favourite way to relax from studying?

I like to listen to music.

Where are you working now?

Currently, I’m working at GHESKIO Center.

 

What’s next for you, in terms of education or work?

I would like to study for a master’s in Health Science.

If you could learn absolutely anything in the world from an Alison course, what would it be?

It would be how to treat people who are suicidal or violent.

What would you say to someone if they asked you about Alison? Would you recommend it and why?

I have already recommended Alison to many friends. I told them that Alison is very interesting and helpful and that they could learn many things from it. Alison is known all over the world and has a good reputation. People who got a diploma or a certificate from Alison will be able to work anywhere.

Aurelia Faustina S: “Alison has kindled in me a love of learning.”

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Aurelia Faustina S: “Alison has kindled in me a love of learning.”

“My name is Aurelia Faustina S. I am a college student with good communication skills in English. However, I wanted to teach non-native speakers English and hence I thought learning an extra language would help me towards my goal. I heard about the various courses Alison offered and so I started learning French with Alison.”

What was your first course on Alison, and why did you choose it?

Diploma in French Language Studies. I wanted to improve my French skills and be an extra mile ahead of others.

What’s your favourite way to relax from studying?

Reading!

What are you studying at the moment?

I am currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree in English.

What’s next for you, in terms of education or work?

In terms of education, I would like to do my master’s in either English or French. Alison has kindled in me a love of learning French.

 

If you could learn absolutely anything in the world from an Alison course, what would it be?

I would love to learn more about various languages and also how to teach English.

What would you say to someone if they asked you about Alison? Would you recommend it and why?

I would definitely recommend Alison as you can do your studying from absolutely anywhere around the globe.

Sarah Gyenge: “Alison courses have helped me a lot in my job.”

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Sarah Gyenge: “Alison courses have helped me a lot in my job.”

“My name is Sarah Gyenge. I’m a health care assistant. I’ve worked in hospitals, care and nursing homes, and in mental health. I have National Vocational Qualifications in a number of areas, including Health and Social Care. I have Diplomas in Care and Nursing, End of Life Therapy, First Aid and Primary Nursing. At present, I do voluntary work at my local hospital doing ward work and end of life care.”

How did you learn about Alison?

I learned about Alison through facebook. My first courses were in health care.

 

What’s your favourite way to relax from studying?

I enjoy drawing, writing and gardening.

Where are you working and what are you studying now?

I’m doing my voluntary work at the hospital and also doing my End of Life training.

 

What’s next for you, in terms of education or work?

I’d like to do more care courses to help me with my job as a health care assistant.

If you could learn absolutely anything in the world from an Alison course, what would it be?

Anything linked to care work, including management skills in care work.

What would you say to someone if they asked you about Alison? Would you recommend it and why?

I would really recommend taking courses with Alison. They’ve helped me a lot in my job.

Teaching APA Style: 7th Edition Template Papers

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Teaching APA Style: 7th Edition Template Papers

Note, APA now has two separate title page formats: one for students and one for professionals. These templates reflect the format for students. For professional papers, a running head needs to be added (though the first page does not need to say “Running head” anymore… thank goodness!) as well as an author note.

When creating the reference page, you can have Microsoft Word create the hanging first line for you. I explain in the reference section, but below is a screenshot showing you how to do this (taken from my mac).

Film Club: ‘The Lonely Goalkeeper’

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Film Club: ‘The Lonely Goalkeeper’

Students in U.S. high schools can get free digital access to The New York Times until Sept. 2021.

“The Lonely Goalkeeper” is a four-minute film that touches on themes of competition, fear and self-belief. It profiles the British soccer legend Bob Wilson as he reflects on the “desperate courage” required to be a goalie.

What makes you feel most alone? Have you ever felt alone when you were with others? Are you surprised that a professional athlete would describe their job as lonely?

What gives you strength to withstand feelings of loneliness?

Students

1. Watch the short film above. While you watch, you might take notes using our Film Club Double-Entry Journal (PDF) to help you remember specific moments.

2. After watching, think about these questions:

  • What questions do you still have?

  • What connections can you make between this film and your own life or experience? Why? Does this film remind you of anything else you’ve read or seen? If so, how and why?

3. An additional challenge | Respond to the essential question at the top of this post: Have you ever felt all alone — even when you were with others?

4. Next, join the conversation by clicking on the comment button and posting in the box that opens on the right. (Students 13 and older are invited to comment, although teachers of younger students are welcome to post what their students have to say.)

5. After you have posted, try reading back to see what others have said, then respond to someone else by posting another comment. Use the “Reply” button or the @ symbol to address that student directly.

6. To learn more, read “There Is No Lonelier Job in Soccer Than This.” Andre Andreev, the filmmaker, writes:

Is there any lonelier position in sports than goalie?

In the film above, the legendary goalkeeper Bob Wilson reflects on the “desperate courage” required to serve as the last resort against an onslaught of unpredictable shots from his opponents. Originally a teacher who played as an amateur, Wilson moved up to professional soccer later than his peers — but spent 1963 to 1974 playing for Arsenal, a storied club in the English Premier League. In 1971, Arsenal honored him with player of the year following the historic season when it won both the league title and the FA Cup. He ranks among their 50 greatest players.

As Premier League clubs compete in empty stadiums this summer after a 100-day pause, Wilson’s memories take on new resonance. They remind us that even though their work is often undersung, those on the last line of defense can be the greatest heroes of all.

More?

• See all the films in this series.

• Read our list of practical teaching ideas, along with responses from students and teachers, for how you can use these documentaries in the classroom.

What Students Are Saying About Mental Health, Improving Sports and a Dusk-Lit Train

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What Students Are Saying About Mental Health, Improving Sports and a Dusk-Lit Train

My favorite sport, swimming, provides me with a sense of pride and joy. I relate to the professional swimmers I watch on television because I comprehend the amount of work they put into the pool to occasionally drop milliseconds of time in an event. It can be gruesome, but I find myself absorbed by the vital details that many sports lack- yardage, pace work, strokes, underwaters, etc. However, there are changes I’d like to see that would change the sport for the better, like mixed gender relays. This would mean two males and two females each swim an equal distance in a specific order while racing other mixed gender relays. I think this would add some diversity to the sport, as well as making great TV.

— Annie Andres, Glenbard West HS, Glen Ellyn

I personally think that in volleyball, there are too many rules with letting back row hit the ball. With the typical D Pike A formation, its simple, but once you add the rule that they have to stay behind the 10 foot line to hit, it becomes more of a hassle than just letting them hit by the net. It doesn’t make sense that the strongest passers have to also have the strongest swing, because if you stay behind the 10 foot line to hit, than you have not only make the ball go farther, you also need to way more power than someone who is a middle or an outside hitter. It also makes it harder on a setter to push the ball farther off the net than their regular set up by the net. In all, volleyball is my favorite sport to play and to watch, I just wish that some rules would be abolished from the rule books to make the game more enjoyable for the players.

— Grace V, IPoly High

As a figure skater, the start of quarantine was supposed to be the start of a new skating season …. Before the pandemic, for each competition you always had to arrive at least an hour before to check-in. I have always felt that an hour was too much and added unnecessary stress. Now to limit the people in the building coming in close contact for a long amount of time, the check-in is around 25 minutes and I am in the rink 20 minutes before my event. This way you have time to warm-up, check your hair and costume, tie your skates, and be ready to go on. Before this, you would always have around another 30 minutes of just sitting or walking around the rink stressing out. Another great change that has occur in figure skating competitions, is waiting for the results after the competition. After you have skated, you would wait another hour to get your results and critics. Now, results are posted conveniently online and you can see them on your way home. Overall, I think quarantine has evoked a much needed change in the way figure skating competitions are carried out.

— Elizabet Mikhina, Glenbard West High

I like watching hockey, but it would be much better if they removed all the boring figure skating and made it all about the combat.

— Stanley S., JR Masterman School, Philadelphia, PA

Most of the people who say cheerleading is not a sport are people who play other sports like basketball or baseball. I am an All Star cheerleader, but I have also done school competitive cheer where we go to nationals. In my opinion any competitive type of cheerleading is definitely a sport, but when it comes to sideline cheer I understand why some people consider it not a sport. In my opinion cheerleading is one of the hardest sports, and one of if not the sport that needs the most athleticism and stamina. I have played a lot of sports, and cheered since I was three, I feel like the hardest sport that I have ever done is cheerleading. I feel like if another sport tried to do my teams cheer routine they would not be able to push through it. Cheerleading requires a whole different group of muscles and strength then other sports. In conclusion cheerleading is a sport, and I believe people should look more into it before they say something.

— RC, J. R. Masterman School, Philadelphia, PA

Dance has always been a large part of my life. My mom put me in ballet class at age two, and ever since then I have had a growing passion for the art. I started competing when I was in fifth grade, and I am still on that same competition team to this day. What I believe makes dance so appealing and thrilling is the never ending challenges you face. You are always pushing yourself to perform better than the last performance, or train harder than the day before … However, one thing that is missing in the dance world is how others perceive the art/sport. I say “art/sport” because it really is both. Many people assume that dance is only an art because you are just spinning around on your tippy toes and never breaking a sweat. This is very false. All dancers can attest to the fact that behind closed doors, dance is a vigorous and physically draining sport. The beauty of dance is that we are able to stretch so far past the limits of a normal human body, while making it look pleasing and “easy” to the eye.

— Mary Crum, Glenbard West High School

_________

What’s Going On in This Graph? | Oct. 21, 2020

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What’s Going On in This Graph? | Oct. 21, 2020

Students in U.S. high schools can get free digital access to The New York Times until Sept. 2021.

This interactive map, showing the greatest climate threat by county in the United States, appeared elsewhere on NYTimes.com.

By Friday morning, Oct. 23, we will provide the “Reveal” — the map’s free online link, additional background and questions, shout outs for student headlines, and Stat Nuggets.

After looking closely at the interactive map above (or at this full-size image), discuss with someone what each of you notice in the graph. Then, answer these four questions:

  • What do you notice?

  • What do you wonder?

The questions are intended to build on one another, so try to answer them in order.

2. Next, join the conversation online by clicking on the comment button and posting in the box. (Teachers of students younger than 13 are welcome to post their students’ responses.)

3. Below the response box, there is an option for students to click on “Email me when my comment is published.” This sends the link to their response which they can share with their teacher.

4. After you have posted, read what others have said, then respond to someone else by posting a comment. Use the “Reply” button to address that student directly.

On Wednesday, Oct. 21, teachers from our collaborator, the American Statistical Association, will facilitate this discussion from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern time.

5. By Friday morning, Oct. 23, we will reveal more information about the graph, including a free link to the article that included this graph, at the bottom of this post. We encourage you to post additional comments based on the article, possibly using statistical terms defined in the Stat Nuggets.

More?

• See all graphs in this series or a slide show of 60 of our favorite graphs.

• View our archives that link to all past releases, organized by topic, graph type and Stat Nugget.

• Learn more about the “Notice and Wonder” teaching strategy and how and why other teachers are using this feature from our on-demand webinar.

• Sign up for our free weekly Learning Network newsletter so you never miss a graph. Graphs are always released by the Friday before the Wednesday live-moderation to give teachers time to plan ahead.

• Go to the American Statistical Association K-12 website, which includes teacher statistics resources, professional development opportunities, and more.

Students 13 and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Red and Blue

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Red and Blue

Students in U.S. high schools can get free digital access to The New York Times until Sept. 2021.

What message do you think this image is trying to convey? How does it relate to or comment on society or current events? Can you relate to it personally? What is your opinion of its message?

Tell us in the comments, then read the related Opinion essay to learn more.

About Picture Prompts

• Find all our Picture Prompts in this column.
• Have an idea for a Picture Prompt? Tell us about it.
• Teachers, discover more ways to teach with our Picture Prompts and learn how to use our free daily writing prompts for remote learning.

Students 13 and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

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