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Playing the Paper

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Playing the Paper

People around the globe shell out billions of dollars each year on professionally manufactured games: According to a recent study, spending worldwide on playing cards and board games is expected to reach nearly $22 billion by the year 2025. But the truth is that you can turn anything into a game — even a newspaper! These fun hexagon tiles are flexible game components that allow for a variety of games and play styles. You can make your own by cutting up a newspaper and folding it using the instructions below.

The New York Times Games team has come up with a few games using the tiles to get you started, but you should think of them as starting points. Try your own variations, or make up something entirely new. Let us know what you come up with in the comments!

Two players, 5-10 minutes

Have the most tiles flipped to your orientation at the end of the game.

We recommend making 16 tiles, but any even number should be fine. Each player takes half the folded tiles. One player is the Hex player; the other is the Triangle player.

  • Alternate placing tiles with your opponent. Hex players go first, laying their tiles face up so the smooth side is visible. Triangle players lay theirs face down, so the folds are visible.

  • Tiles must connect to at least one other tile and match on all connecting sides. A match means that the sides that are connected have one of three components in common: text, images or white space. The components must be on the edge of the tile and be physically touching.

  • If a tile becomes flippable, it must be flipped. Tiles can be flipped in any order, and flipping a tile can cause chain reactions.

  • The game ends when all tiles have been placed, or when at least one player has no valid moves left. Each player then counts the tiles flipped to their orientation. The player with the most tiles wins.

Two players, 10-20 minutes

Get the most pieces to your opponent’s graviton.

  • Lay pieces out in a diamond shape, face up.

  • Place a piece face down at both ends of the diamond. This is your “graviton.”

  • Place four game pieces, of differing colors, on each graviton. You can use whatever you want to play: tokens from another game, coins, checkers, even M&M’s!

  • On your turn, you must move one of your pieces forward one hexagon. Pieces must always move toward the opponent’s graviton.

  • If there is an unoccupied space behind an opponent’s piece, you can jump over it. Jumping over a piece captures it, removing it from play

  • When one of your pieces reaches the opponent’s graviton, you can move the graviton anywhere along the edge of board. This changes the direction your remaining pieces move in.

  • Pieces that enter the opponent’s graviton are no longer in play.

  • If you cannot make a move, you must remove one of your pieces that is still in play.

  • The game ends when a player’s pieces have all been captured, or when they’ve all entered the opponent’s graviton.

Two players, 5 minutes

Guess your opponent’s secret tile.

Each player takes eight tiles.

Place the tiles in front of you, face up, so they are visible to both players. (Or, if you want more of a challenge, place them face down, with the triangles showing.)

  • Choose a tile on your opponent’s side, without telling them which one you’ve picked. This is your secret tile.

  • Flip a coin to decide who goes first.

  • Take turns asking yes-or-no questions to figure out which of the tiles in front of you your opponent has chosen as their secret tile. Each player can only ask three questions, so choose wisely! Good questions to ask might be “Does your tile have a headline?” or “Does your tile have images?”

  • You may put aside tiles that are not a match to help narrow down your choices.

  • After each player has asked three questions, count to three together and then slap your guess. Players score a point for each correct guess.

  • Shuffle the tiles and repeat these steps for at least three rounds. The player with the most points after three rounds wins!

What is cloud computing and Amazon Web Services?

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What is cloud computing and Amazon Web Services?

The advent of cloud computing has changed the organisational sphere beyond recognition, completely restructuring how we think about IT systems. As a result, cloud computing skills are in high demand across industries and geographies. The world’s biggest cloud computing platform is Amazon Web Services (AWS).

From 13 July, FutureLearn will be offering Cloud Computing Professional with AWS, a microcredential in association with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Coventry University. Alongside gaining a certificate of completion, learners will get the opportunity to earn AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification as well as earning 15 UK postgraduate academic credits.

Read on to discover more about the course, job opportunities with AWS certification, and what Amazon Web Services are exactly.

What is Amazon Web Services (AWS)?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a cloud computing platform, offering a range of different services to businesses and other organisations.

Over 175 separate services are offered through AWS’s comprehensive cloud service in total. These include storage and analytics, developer tools and games technology, blockchain and machine learning, and much more.

These services allow companies to replace capital infrastructure (that is, spending on physical/permanent assets) with on-demand, scalable services as they need them.

Cloud computing as a whole has revolutionised the way business is being done.

Organisations enjoy a never-before-seen degree of flexibility and scalability, by virtue of these remote, on-demand services. They considerably lower the barrier to entry for various new technologies, which previously would have required considerable investment even to experiment with.

Companies everywhere now have reliable access to the same level of service.

Amazon is the leader in this segment, controlling 33% of the global market. Or, to look at it another way, 76% of enterprises use AWS, with a further 5% planning to and 12% experimenting with it (93% of enterprises use more than one cloud service).

AWS has been the fastest growing and most profitable arm of Amazon for some years now. We can, therefore, expect AWS’s grip over the cloud computing market to remain solid in years to come, despite competition from the likes of Apple and Microsoft.

Apple is, in fact, a customer of AWS, as are many of the other most-recognisable organisations in the world. NASA, the UK Ministry of Justice, Change.org, Netflix, Verizon to name a few.

However, it’s not just the biggest names that use AWS.

The scalable, up-to-date, and on-demand nature of cloud computing services mean that they are used by businesses of all sizes; from start-ups and unicorns to mid-size enterprises, public sector institutions, and multinational conglomerates.

These are spread across every professional sector you could imagine and AWS services are available in 245 countries and territories within 24 regions.

It is likely, then, that you will be working with cloud computing services in the future, whatever sort of organisation you work for, and wherever you’re based. And given the current market, it is most likely that AWS will be the service you use.

What will you learn on the Cloud Computing Professional with AWS microcredential? 

FutureLearn’s Cloud Computing Professional microcredential is offered in collaboration with the AWS Academy, and is accredited by Coventry University.

It aims to address the increasing need for cloud computing knowledge in the industry, and to help professionals upskill to meet the demands of this new systems paradigm.

It is aimed at those with an entry-level understanding of cloud computing and its applications.

Learners will come out with a concrete grasp of the services offered through AWS and how cloud computing can be relevant to solving business challenges. They will learn how to spot opportunities to improve systems by using AWS, and strategically and operationally prepare their organisation for cloud migration.

The microcredential course is structured into two courses, each of which is six weeks in length. The first, entitled Cloud Computing Business and Technology Fundamentals, will cover cloud computing business and technology fundamentals to help build up base knowledge around key topics. 020.

The second six-week course, Cloud Computing Professional, will build on this, looking at more advanced concepts such as cloud architecture, networking, and databases, within an AWS cloud environment. 

While there are no specific entry requirements, due to its references and relevance to real-life business scenarios, this course is most suitable for business and IT professionals with some understanding of IT infrastructure or cloud systems.

Working knowledge of cloud computing will be advantageous, if not essential for all IT and business professionals, as well as those working for charities, education, NGOs, and public sector bodies in the near future.

Those working as business development managers, product managers, and business analysts can benefit in particular.

What certification will you gain after completing the microcredential?

Learners who complete the Cloud Computing Professional microcredential will be offered the chance to gain AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification.

This will be awarded on successful completion of a separate online test administered by AWS. The cost of sitting this test is covered by the course fee.

This certification demonstrates an understanding of AWS, what it offers, and how to navigate it. It also shows that you’ll be able to easily spot opportunities for which AWS could be the solution. 12% of US IT professionals intended to pursue this qualification over 2020, according to Global Knowledge.

The AWS Certified Cloud Computing Practitioner Certification is an entry-level qualification, though it has been found to be one of the highest-paying IT certifications on the market.

It might also pave the way to further certifications. The AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification is one of the most coveted in the industry – and is even more lucrative.

The microcredential is accredited by Coventry University, who have provided quality assurance that the course is of the standard of a UK postgraduate degree. The microcredential is worth 15 UK postgraduate academic credits. It stands as an accredited professional credential in its own right, but the academic credits earned can be put towards further education.

What are job opportunities related to this microcredential – and what do they pay?

The market for cloud computing jobs is growing rapidly.

Job offerings in the sector grew by 55% between 2015 and 2019, with worldwide spending on public cloud services predicted to double by 2023. Indeed identified AWS skills specifically as among the top-10 tech skills for 2020, with 14.2% of all tech jobs in 2019 requiring AWS skills.

LinkedIn identified cloud computing as the second-most in-demand hard skill of 2020, behind only blockchain. Those with cloud computing skills are set to be competitive in the jobs market in the near future. The coronavirus pandemic has seen demand for cloud computing services increase.

Cloud computing will not only be relevant to new positions but will also impact existing organisations, with current trends suggesting increased adoption of cloud services.

A grasp of cloud computing services will then be necessary for those at all levels who want to stay up-to-date and those interested in seeking ways to strengthen their organisation’s competitive advantage.

This microcredential is relevant to business development managers, customer success managers, and product managers, and business analysts.

To consider some of the salary levels on offer: an entry-level business analyst stands to earn from £30,000 ($37,000) rising to as high as £70,000 ($86,000) for a highly-experienced practitioner. Product managers in the UK earn an average of £54,000 ($68,000), while in the US this figure is as high as $109,000 (£86,000). Business Development Managers earn an average of $66,000 in the US (£52,000) and £40,000 in the UK ($51,000).

These are average figures, naturally rising with higher levels of skills and experience.

Focusing more on IT functions, there is a high demand for IT professionals with an understanding of AWS, with a notable skills gap emerging.

According to IT training and skills organisation Global Skills, holders of Amazon Certified Web Practitioner certification earn an average of $131,465 (£103,000), making it the eight highest-paying IT certification in the US.

Advance a little further to gain the AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification and this rises even higher to $149,446 (£118,000).

Roles you might pursue related to AWS include cloud architect, SysOps administrator, or cloud software engineer.

These roles will require further technical training, with AWS skills sitting alongside other IT qualifications. Those already in possession of such technical skills can certainly benefit from adding AWS to their existing skill set.

Find out more about this microcredential

How to transform your CX strategy with Salesforce

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How to transform your CX strategy with Salesforce

Customer experience (CX) has become one of the key differentiators between modern organisations. CX refers to the art of providing a personalised, relevant, and targeted experience to each current and prospective user. With so many voices vying for the modern consumers’ attention, CX is central to customer retention.

Customer relationship management (CRM) platforms are the software that facilitates this, keeping track of any given customer’s history with an organisation. Salesforce is the best-known and most widely adopted of these.

The Customer Experience and Success Management with Salesforce microcredential is designed to help those concerned with delivering CX to understand its core principles, why it is so important, and how to ensure that business strategy works to deliver it.

This will be underpinned by exploring how Salesforce can support CX goals, with learners getting the opportunity to gain practical skills, and Salesforce Administrator certification to prove it.

What is Salesforce?

Salesforce is the world’s best-known and most-used customer relationship management (CRM) platform.

CRM is an approach through which a company’s relationship with individual consumers can be managed.

Everything from social media engagement and purchase histories to data gathered from website signups goes towards building up a picture of each consumer.

The organisation can then use this information to provide the best customer experience by catering to their individual needs. It can also be used to anticipate future opportunities for engagement, and for the automation of certain processes (one defined action triggering a follow-up, for example).

The ultimate goal is to improve customer retention.

Salesforce provides an integrated service, intended to give all departments a single-view of each customer in order to provide a joined-up, customised service. It is a cloud-based service, allowing companies access to CRM solutions instantly and at a much-reduced cost compared to the previous high levels of spending required to build in-house CRM systems.

As of 2019, Salesforce commanded a 19% share of the $50 billion global CRM market. This is more than twice as much as second-place SAP. It reports over 150,000 customers, including 83% of Fortune 500 companies.

Using Salesforce can help companies to grow, contributing to wider economic growth, according to a study commissioned by Salesforce. This report predicts that the CRM platform and its network of partners and customers will contribute to $1.2 trillion of economic growth in the years 2019-2024, and the creation of 4.2 million jobs globally.

Of this, the Salesforce economy is predicted to bring $71 billion of growth, and 144,000 jobs to the UK, and $26 billion and 42,000 jobs to Australia.

The US will see the lion’s share of both, with $514 billion worth of growth and 869,000 new jobs (with a further $20 billion and 33,000 jobs in Canada).

What will you learn on the Customer Experience and Success Management with Salesforce microcredential?

Competition for customers is fiercer than ever and takes place over multiple channels. Businesses and other organisations must do everything they can to bring in and retain customers.

CX is at the heart of this. By providing a personalised, targeted, and efficient service to consumers, organisations can gain a market advantage. Failure to draw up a coherent CX strategy, on the other hand, is likely to end up in user attrition.  

The Customer Experience and Success Management with Salesforce microcredential is designed to help strategy, product, marketing, and business development professionals, as well as customer success and experience managers to deliver great CX, supported by Salesforce’s CRM platform.

Learners will have the option to gain Salesforce Administrator certification to evidence this.

Enrollees will learn how to design and implement CX, how CX should influence business decision making and strategy, and how to best use Salesforce to support these goals, gaining hands-on experience.

The microcredential is broken into two six-week courses. The first of these will be available from 13 July 2020 and is called Customer Experience (CX) Design for Customer Success. This covers the fundamentals of CX design, exploring why it is so important and developing CX-related skills.

The second course, available from 7 September 2020, is called CRM Fundamentals and Practice. This part of the microcredential focuses on how CRM technology can be used to drive customer success. Learners will explore how to establish and customise CRM platforms that align with business goals.

The course is most suitable for those who have gained some work experience in a relevant field, and have some understanding of CRM, customer success, and/or CX.

What certification will you gain after completing the microcredential?

Completing the microcredential entitles learners to sit a separate test to gain Salesforce Administrator certification. This test is administered by Salesforce. The cost of taking this test is included in the course fee for the microcredential.

The Salesforce Administrator test covers “the breadth of applications, the features and functions available to an end-user, and the configuration and management options available to an administrator across the Sales, Service, and Collaboration Clouds,” according to test administrator, Trailhead.

CIO is a little more specific, stating that holders of credential demonstrate that they can manage users in Salesforce, have an awareness of data security, know how to build customised reports, dashboards and workflows, and use the Sales, Collaboration and Service Cloud applications.

This is an entry-level qualification, designed for those who have experience of using Salesforce but would like to get more out of it and find new opportunities to employ it.

Those who would like to develop their understanding of Salesforce further can go on to gain the Salesforce Advanced Administrator certification. Other Salesforce certifications are available, related to marketing and consulting, as well as those of a more technical nature.

The microcredential is accredited by Coventry University, who have provided quality assurance that the course is of the standard of a UK postgraduate degree. The microcredential is worth 15 UK postgraduate academic credits, and learners can combine the course with others to build a custom degree.

It does, however, stand as an academic credential in its own right, for those who simply want to gain skills in one area as part of their continuing professional development or to get a job in a specific field.

What are job opportunities related to this microcredential – and what do they pay?

Job opportunities for those with a solid working knowledge of Salesforce are anticipated to be numerous and lucrative in coming years.

Jobs requiring skills related to the CRM platform pay more than $70,000 on average (£55,000) according to a study carried out by Burning Glass.

Talent International identified CRM skills as among the most in-demand over 2020.

We have also seen the emergence of a category of jobs which are not only supported by Salesforce but built entirely around the platform, as businesses focus increasingly on CX. This pool of jobs was described as “small but growing” by Burning Glass.

This microcredential would be particularly relevant to customer success and experience management professionals.

In 2018, LinkedIn identified customer success managers as one of its top-10 most promising jobs, mapping 91% growth in opportunities. The median salary for these roles stood at $82,300 (£64,600), according to this analysis.

Payscale sets the average starting salary of a customer experience manager at $49,000 (£38,500) rising to $57,000 (£45,000), after 1-4 years, and $65,000 (£51,000) in the 5-9 years’ experience bracket, and eventually to over $75,000 for highly-experienced professionals (£59,000).

The microcredential could also be a springboard for early-stage professionals seeking to move into CRM consultancy roles. As businesses seek to get more from their CRMs in order to deliver better CX, this is a field which is likely to see increasing demand.

Salaries here can rise to in excess of $100,000 (£78,500), with early-career salaries in the region of $60,000 (£47,000) in the US.

In the UK, figures are a little lower, starting at £32,000 ($41,000), rising to £52,000 ($66,000) at between 5 and 9-years’ experience, and up to £63,000 ($80,000) for those with a decade or more of experience.

Business development and sales professionals can update their skillsets by gaining a better understanding of using a CRM to improve CX.

According to Salesforce data, 72% of buyers expect vendors to personalise engagement to their needs. Knowing your way around a CRM can certainly give you an advantage in doing this. Sales roles that require Salesforce skills pay 8% more on average, reports Burning Glass.

Business development managers with Salesforce skills stand to make from $50,000 (£39,000) to $75,000 (£59,000), depending on the career stage.

Find out more about this microcredential

Top 25 online courses in Australia – June 2020

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Top 25 online courses in Australia – June 2020

Australia is the 3rd-largest destination for international students, after the UK and US. The climate, thriving cities, and employment opportunities draw people from around the world.

Whether you already live in Australia or would like to sample some of the universities before committing to a full degree, online learning is a great way to get certifications from Australia’s top universities and to boost your career prospects within the country. 

If you’re struggling to find the right course to suit your needs, here is a list of the top 25 courses among our Australian visitors.

 1. COVID 19: Tackling the Novel Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus has defined 2020, and countries around the world have struggled to prevent the spread of the illness throughout their populations. While some countries have been able to re-open and reduce their infection rate, it is still a battle being fought in both hemispheres.

This course was created in March by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to help both health workers and the general public understand the illness and prevent infections. It has been one of our most popular courses this year, and is rated 4.8 out of 5 by our global learners. 

Enrol today

 

2. Food and Mood: Improving Mental Health Through Diet and Nutrition

One in five Australians between the ages of 16-85 experience mental health issues in any year. While therapy and medication are common and important interventions to help reduce instances of poor mental health, there is also a link between diet and improved mood. This course explores that link and provides learners with the tools they need to improve their diets and their own wellbeing. 

Enrol today

 

3. Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance

A large proportion of Australians have reported that stress has impacted both their physical and mental health, with 72% saying that it’s had a physical impact according to the Australian Psychological Society. Mindfulness is a way to reduce stress and improve performance on a practical and daily basis. This course has been designed to help reduce stress, improve memory and learning, and even improve relationships through mindful daily actions. 

Enrol today

 

4. Online Jazz Piano: Begin with the Blues

Learning to play an instrument online is a flexible and far cheaper way to enjoy a fulfilling and creative hobby. Whether you are learning from scratch or rediscovering the piano after playing as a child, this course takes you through playing the blues in play-along exercises and teaches you how to improvise as well. 

Enrol today

 

5. Professional Resilience: Building Skills to Thrive at Work

Periodic stress is a normal part of any career, but resilience is what allows you to get through stressful situations without negative impacts on your overall wellbeing. Building resilience is its own skill, and requires thoughtful engagement with your situation and structured self-care to ensure that you do not burn out. This course has been created to give you the skills you need to build resilience and thrive within your career. 

Enrol today

 

6. Transforming Digital Learning: Learning Design Meets Service Design

Online learning is a growing field with huge potential for the future. Recent events have forced universities, colleges, and schools to move classes online, but what does that mean for the future and how will learning continue to be delivered in 2021 and beyond? This course provides a grounding in how people learn online and why, examining key roles in learning design and giving you concrete strategies to develop your online learning practice. 

Enrol today

 

7. Food as Medicine

Good nutrition is fundamental to good health, and can even control or alleviate chronic diseases. This course is designed to look at nutrition and how it affects the gut, the brain, fertility, pregnancy, and our genome. It’s suitable for the general public and for healthcare professionals who would like evidence-based information to support dietary recommendations for patients. 

Enrol today

 

8. How to Teach Online: Providing Continuity for Students

While different states have taken different approaches to schools closing or re-opening, a lot of teachers and lecturers have had to pivot online for safety and continuity. This course was designed by our online learning experts to provide practical guidance for educators in response to coronavirus closures and the urgency of moving online. 

Enrol today

 

9. A History of Royal Fashion

Royal dress may look quite conservative now, but for 500 years they have been at the forefront of influencing fashion trends. This course from the Historic Royal Palaces looks at 5 royal dynasties and their sartorial choices. You don’t need any prior knowledge or experience, just the time and an interest in the subject. 

Enrol today

 

10. Caring for Older People: A Partnership Model

Older people make up a significant and growing portion of Australia’s population, in 2017 15% of Australians were over 65, and this is set to grow to 18% in 2027. The challenges of caring for an ageing population are being felt the world over – this course reviews the options for effective care and helps to create practical strategies for respectful and collaborative models for care. 

Enrol today

 

11. Teaching English Online

If you’re looking for a new career option or would like to expand your teaching or tutoring options, online learning is a growing industry. Students worldwide are looking to improve their English to open career and movement opportunities, and you could help them. 

Enrol today

 

12. Teaching Students Who Have Suffered Complex Trauma

Complex trauma impacts the physical, emotional and psychological development of children. It’s important for teachers to have an understanding of these impacts and how to ensure that their classroom environment, teaching practices, and disciplinary tactics are designed to minimise harm. This 2-week course covers the ground you need to understand and adjust to promote positive learning and development. 

Enrol today

 

13. Leading Strategic Innovation: How to Lead with Purpose

Identify and define your leadership purpose and develop your strategic thinking to avoid drift. This course is helpful for anybody moving into or already within a leadership position and wanting to effect strategic change. 

Enrol today

 

14. Preparing to Succeed: A Quick and Easy Guide to Postgraduate Study and Life at Deakin

Deakin is in the top 1% of universities worldwide, and in MOOC rankings the university is 8th worldwide and number 1 in Australia. The university offers a range of courses online as well as pathways to study both online and on campus. This course is a great primer to help you succeed in your postgraduate study and gain a full understanding of the options at Deakin University. 

Enrol today

 

15. Fashion and Sustainability: Understanding Luxury Fashion in a Changing World

The Australian fashion industry is worth $28.5 billion Australian dollars and is home to a large range of luxury brands and labels. This course was created to provide learners with an introduction to the issues and agendas within sustainable fashion. Rated 4.9 out of 5, it is aimed at people working within fashion or in fashion education. 

Enrol today

 

16. Infant Nutrition: From Breastfeeding to Baby’s First Solids

New parents are often overloaded with information from multiple sources, covering everything from how you should quiet a crying baby (or not) through to swaddling. Few areas are as fraught as infant nutrition. This course takes you through babies’ and toddlers’ nutritional requirements and the different ways to meet them – whether that’s through breastfeeding or formula. It compares nutritional guidelines from around the world to give you a full picture of the current evidence, and walks you through the process of introducing solid food. 

Enrol today

 

17. COVID-19 Critical Care: Understanding and Application

Healthcare workers and patients around the world continue to fight COVID-19 as countries still work to contain the illness. This course is designed for healthcare professionals on the front line to guide them through COVID-19 specific critical care, the daily practice of care, and the importance of ongoing self-care and wellbeing while dealing with the pandemic. 

Enrol today

 

18. Logical and Critical Thinking

Logical thinking rarely comes naturally to people – learning this essential skill can help you in everything from assessing who to vote for, through to problem-solving at work. This course helps you to avoid thinking errors, build proper arguments for your position, and provides you with the tools to analyse arguments that you see and hear. Rated 4.8 out of 5. 

Enrol today

19. What is Leadership?

Leadership exists across different areas of life, but the qualities it requires can be difficult to define. This course looks at leadership, how it differs from management, and how to become an effective leader. 

Enrol today

 

20. Rome: A Virtual Tour of the Ancient City

While few have been able to visit the eternal city during the coronavirus lockdowns, a lot of our learners have chosen to tour the ancient city online. This course takes you through ancient Roman culture and how it’s reflected in the architecture, from religion and politics through to ‘bread and circuses’, and how entertainment reinforced power for Rome’s rulers. 

Enrol today

 

21. Understanding IELTS

The IELTS test is internationally renowned as one of the most widely-used English language tests. People from non-Anglophone countries often need to take this test to live, work, and remain in English-speaking countries. This program from the British Council reviews the reading, writing, speaking, and listening areas of the test so that you have the best chance of success. 

Enrol today

 

22. Becoming Career Smart: How to Sell Yourself

Selling yourself properly is a completely separate skill from being good at your job. People with these skills are more likely to be hired, promoted, and rewarded for their work because they know how to present it in a way that resonates with their audience. Whether you’re looking for a change or just recognition, this course can help you be noticed. 

Enrol today

 

23. An Introduction to Screenwriting

It looks like a lot of Australians want to see their work on the screen or stage – or just want a creative outlet. Whether you’re planning to take it further or just want to work through some ideas, this introduction to screenwriting will take you through everything you need to finish your first draft. 

Enrol today

 

24. The Scottish Highland Clans: Origins, Decline, and Transformation

Around 10% of Australians identify as having Scottish ancestry. Captain Cook, who made the first recorded European contact with Australia, was the son of a Scottish farmer so the two countries have a very long-standing bond. If you’d like to explore your Scottish roots (or if you’re just interested in history), this course is for you. 

Enrol today

 

25. Collaborative Working in a Remote Team

Working from home has been a boon and a bane for the last few months. While plenty of people have enjoyed the very casual dress and lack of commute, it has also been difficult to keep in touch with remote teams and a lot of people have missed the casual chat and catch ups that happen through close proximity. This course was created to help smooth out those cracks and learn strategies for better remote working. 

Enrol today

Top 25 online courses in India – June 2020

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Top 25 online courses in India – June 2020

Famed for being one of the most multilingual countries in the world and exporting the most doctors around the globe, it’s no surprise that online learning is booming throughout India. If you’d like to find a course to help you boost your career, improve your English, or start a new hobby, take a look at our list of the top 25 courses for Indian learners from June 2020.

 

1. COVID-19: Tackling the Novel Coronavirus

Fighting the novel coronavirus has been a world-wide-struggle, and courses such as this one from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (UK) have been instrumental in helping both health practitioners and the general public. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars, it has been one of the most popular FutureLearn courses each month since its launch in March this year. 

Enrol today

 

2. Basic English 2: Pre-Intermediate

Despite having 23 official languages and being home to many more, English is typically the language of Indian business. Improving English is an excellent route to more business and career opportunities, both within India and abroad. This pre-intermediate course was built for people who would like to improve their listening skills and develop their English for use across several different contexts. 

Enrol today

 

3. Communication and Interpersonal Skills at Work

According to the Indian Times, communication skills are the most important soft skill for professionals today. This course from the University of Leeds (UK) and Institute of Coding (UK) is designed to help you identify your personal communication style, manage challenging conversations, and apply your skills to workplace contexts. 

Enrol today

 

4. Language Assessment in the Classroom

Understanding how assessment works can make you a better teacher, student, and help you support your children through school as well. This course from the British Council is designed to guide you through the principles of language assessment and how it breaks down into the different areas of study. 

Enrol today

 

5. Understanding IELTS

Passing the IELTS test is essential for anybody in India who wants to work, study, or live in an English-speaking country. The British Council has put together a free progam of courses to help people prepare for the speaking, reading, and writing elements of this test and maximise their chances of a high score. 

Enrol today

 

6. Driving Value from Data

Data analysis skills are in high demand in India – the industry is currently worth $3.3bn and is expected to double by 2025. People with data analysis skills can command higher salaries across different industries, such as IT, law, retail, banking, and finance. Expand your career options today by taking a course that teaches you how to drive value from data. 

Enrol today

 

7. Digital Skills: Artificial Intelligence

Building national AI skills has been a government priority in India for several years. This course from Accenture (Ireland) is designed to provide a solid introduction to artificial intelligence, its impact on individuals, and how it can change the future. 

Enrol today

 

8. English for the Workplace

If you would like to specifically improve your vocabulary and English skills for the workplace, this course from the British Council has been designed to do just that. Rated 4.8 out of 5, it helps you through the vocabulary you need to succeed in a job interview and work with English-speaking colleagues. 

Enrol today

 

9. Digital Skills: Digital Marketing

The digital marketing industry in India is worth over $160 billion and is still growing through 2019 and 2020. Growing your digital marketing skills can help you find a career within the sector, or can help you inform decision making within sales, development, programming, and leadership roles across a variety of industries. This course from Accenture has everything you need to get started. 

Enrol today

 

10. How to Succeed at Interviews

If you’re just starting a job search or believe that you don’t come across as your best self in interviews, this course is for you. The University of Sheffield (UK) will guide you through everything from dealing with nervousness and practical details, through to what to wear and how to give a good presentation. 

Enrol today

 

11. English Pronunciation in a Global World

Improve your English pronunciation and confidence when speaking English with this top-rated course. You will set personal goals and work to achieve them with exercises in English accents, vowels and consonants. 

Enrol today

 

12. English in Early Childhood: Language Learning and Development

Whether you’re a parent or an educator, understanding language development is both interesting and useful for helping children progress in their learning. This course is designed for children who are learning English alongside their native language, and discusses emotional and linguistic development while providing guidance on how to encourage both. 

Enrol today

 

13. The Sharia and Islamic Law: An Introduction

Indian Muslims are governed by the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act. A deep understanding of Sharia law guides adherents in how they should pray, fast, and act in accordance with God’s wishes. This five-week course from the University of Edinburgh (UK) provides an excellent introduction to the roles of Sharia law in historic and contemporary Islam, and is a fantastic way to improve your understanding of Islam whether you are a Muslim or somebody who wants to understand the religion better. 

Enrol today

 

14. An Introduction to Screenwriting

India is one the largest cinema hubs in the world, with a film industry worth over ₹180 billion ($2.3bn). If you’d like to see your stories on the silver screen, this course from the University of East Anglia (UK) is perfect. The course gives you everything you need to help you start (and finish) your first ever screenplay. 

Enrol today

 

15. How to Teach Online: Providing Continuity for Students

Pivoting online during the coronavirus epidemic has been difficult for educators around the world, but it could mark a new approach to online learning for universities, colleges, and schools. This course was especially designed for educators who have had to move their teaching online during the pandemic and has been rated 4.8 out of 5. 

Enrol today

 

16. Teaching English Online

If you would like to expand your teaching career to take on online tutors, or if you are just starting your teaching career, this is an excellent course that can help you transfer your teaching skills to an online environment. Experienced teacher trainers from Cambridge Assessment English (UK) will take you through everything you need to plan and deliver your lessons online. 

Enrol today

 

17. Essential Skills for Your Career Development

Planning and achieving your career goals is a skillset in itself. If you would like to boost your career in 2020, this course will help you to create a career roadmap, build your professional network, and deal with upcoming change. 

Enrol today

 

18. Understanding IELTS: Reading

This course is part of the Understanding IELTS program above and focuses on improving your reading skills ready for IELTS assessment. Rated 4.9 out of 5, this preparation can make a big impact on your final score. 

Enrol today

 

19. Understanding IELTS: Speaking

This course is part of the Understanding IELTS program and helps you build confidence when speaking English, and discusses what you should expect on the day of your IELTS oral examination. 

Enrol today

 

20. Understanding IELTS: Writing

This course is part of the Understanding IELTS program and covers the writing part of the examination. You will learn techniques and strategies to improve your performance in the test and gain an understanding of the assessment criteria. 

Enrol today

 

21. HR Fundamentals

If you would like to begin a career in human resources, this course from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (UK) provides you with an understanding of how HR helps businesses to achieve their strategic objectives while building a solid understanding of core HR processes such as recruitment and retention. 

Enrol today

 

22. Teaching English: How to Plan a Great Lesson

Planning is the key to creating an engaging and successful lesson. This course from the British Council is for English teachers within primary, secondary, and higher education who would like to develop their lesson plans further. 

Enrol today

 

23. Start Writing Fiction

India publishes over 90,000 books per year, primarily in Hindi or English. If you’d like to see your own work on the shelves, or even if you just want to write for pleasure, this is the perfect course. Within this course, established writers talk about how they started their careers and how they conduct the research needed to write a great novel. You’ll learn good writing practices, how to create engaging characters, and the importance of feedback. 

Enrol today

 

24. The Power of Podcasting for Storytelling

India is expected to have 1 billion podcast listeners in 2020 – instead of competing for attention and screen time with your audience, you can share your story via podcasting instead. This course from the University of Wollongong (Australia) gives you all the skills you need to start a podcast, including how to grow your audience. 

Enrol today

 

25. How to Learn Online: Getting Started

If you’re keen to start learning online but you’re nervous about the format, teaching styles, or whether you can fit the course around your existing commitments, this is the perfect course for you. It’s an easy introduction to the world of online learning, created by the UK’s Open University. It will help you gain skills and confidence to start on your online learning journey.  

Enrol today

 

Top 25 online courses in South Africa – June 2020

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Top 25 online courses in South Africa – June 2020

E-learning is becoming increasingly popular to the people of South Africa. The country is home to the largest open distance e-learning university, and it’s hoped that digital learning can address some of the inequalities in education. Taking an online course can also help with personal and professional development. As such, we’ve outlined the 25 most popular online courses in South Africa among FutureLearn learners.

 1. COVID-19: Tackling the Novel Coronavirus

The headlines across the world are still dominated by the current COVID-19 crisis. South Africa has over 50,000 confirmed cases, making it very much a pressing matter still. Our course on tackling the novel coronavirus examines how the virus is impacting people, how it spreads, and what needs to be done to address it. It’s been one of our most popular courses over recent months and has a rating of 4.8 out of 5. 

Enrol today

 

2. Occupational Health in Developing Countries

Occupational health services are those that focus on keeping teams and people safe and well at work. It focuses on both the physical and mental aspects of health and can benefit both employees and businesses. However, it’s often neglected in developing countries. This course examines some of the key elements of occupational health, as well as some of the methods and measurements that can be applied in the workplace. 

Enrol today

 

3. How To Teach Online: Providing Continuity for Students

In the wake of the current pandemic, many schools and universities in South Africa have been closed. As such, both students and teachers have had to adapt to new ways of learning and teaching. Even the most experienced teachers are facing new challenges with this way of working. Our course is focused on giving teachers the strategies and skills to develop their lessons for the online classroom. 

Enrol today

 

4. Start Writing Fiction

South Africa began its coronavirus lockdown on March 27 and is only just starting to ease measures. With more free time on your hands than usual, you may have considered writing that story you always wanted to. Our course Start Writing Fiction is the perfect place to get you on your way. You’ll learn how to create characters, draw on sources, and read as a writer. 

Enrol today

 

5. Teaching English Online

Teaching English brings an array of work opportunities. It’s a skill that’s always in demand, and online teachers are especially sought-after at the moment. Our course from Cambridge Assessment English is designed to help teachers transfer their skills to an online context. You’ll study the skills and knowledge required to adapt your teaching methods and learn about the tools you can use to help you. 

Enrol today

 

6. Education for All: Disability, Diversity and Inclusion

Everyone should have equal access to education. However, this isn’t true for millions of children around the world. Learning should be an inclusive and universal right, and there are ways to make it more accessible. This course uncovers some practical ways to do exactly that. You’ll learn the skills and techniques to make your classroom a more inclusive place for everyone. 

Enrol today

 

7. Rome: A Virtual Tour of the Ancient City

If you’ve ever wanted to go back in time and visit ancient Rome, we’ve got the next best thing. This course gives learners the chance to take a guided tour of the city. Dr Matthew Nicholls guides you through a 3D digital model, exploring the history, architecture and culture of the eternal city. 

Enrol today

 

8. What is a Mind?

The mind is a puzzle that has long been debated by scientists, philosophers and scientists. In this age of technological advancement, we have more of an understanding than ever before. However, there are still questions to be asked and problems to be solved. In this course, Professor Mark Solms from the University of Cape Town introduces a range of ideas and theories about the mind. 

Enrol today

 

9. What is Leadership?

The concept of leadership is a complex one. However, those who can effectively lead are in high demand. This course explores some of the fundamentals of leadership, allowing you to examine and develop your own leadership style. The course, designed by Deakin University, has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 from over 150 learners. 

Enrol today

 

10. COVID-19: Diagnostics and Testing

Two of our most essential tools in the fight against coronavirus are diagnostics and testing. Many countries have been doing all they can to increase their testing infrastructure and capacity. Others have taken different approaches to tracking and tracing the spread of the virus. This course from the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics looks at the current recommendations for COVID-19 diagnosis and testing. 

Enrol today

 

11. Genealogy: Researching Your Family Tree

Genealogy is a fascinating and often rewarding field of study. If you’ve always wanted to research your family history, this course presents the ideal introduction to the subject. It looks at ways to find and analyse sources, and how DNA testing can help you on your search. You’ll also learn about some of the challenges that face genealogical research, as well as how to overcome them. 

Enrol today

 

12. Managing Mental Health and Stress

Our mental health is essential to our overall wellbeing. During these difficult times, it’s more important than ever to make sure you take care of your own. Stress can often cause mental health difficulties, so it’s essential you’re able to recognise and manage that stress. This cause looks at how you can stay on top of your mental health, as well as give you strategies to combat workplace stress. 

Enrol today

 

13. COVID-19: Effective Nursing in Times of Crisis

As healthcare workers are fighting on the front lines against the coronavirus, the systems they work in are going through upheavals. At such a time, effective nursing becomes more important than ever. This course looks at some of the issues faced by nurses working in crisis zones, and how we can apply these learnings to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Enrol today

 

14. Teaching for Success: Lessons and Teaching

For teachers of any subject, continuing professional development is crucial. It helps you develop your skills and knowledge, ensuring you fulfil your potential and help your students fulfil theirs. This course focuses on English language teaching and looks at how to plan and manage lessons, as well as how to take responsibility for your own CPD. 

Enrol today

 

15. An Introduction to Screenwriting

Writing a screenplay can be a rewarding but challenging project. They generally follow particular formats but are only limited by your imagination and creativity. This course explores some of the basic concepts and elements that go into a professional screenplay. It will also give you the opportunity to write your own first draft. 

Enrol today

 

16. English in Early Childhood: Language Learning and Development

English is the fourth most commonly spoken first language in South Africa. However, it’s also widely used and understood across the country, especially by the government and in the media. As such, it’s worth knowing how young children learn the language, as well as how you can help them on their learning journey. This course is created by the British Council to help parents and practitioners support children as they learn English as a second language. 

Enrol today

 

17. Extinctions: Past and Present

There have been five mass extinction events in Earth’s history, and each of these has shaped the biodiversity of the planet. Sadly, human activity is currently threatening a sixth extinction. This course examines the previous events and how they impacted life on the planet. It also explores some of the current threats to biodiversity, and what we can do to prevent another mass extinction.  

Enrol today

 

18. Understanding IELTS: Writing

The IELTS is a world-renowned exam that tests English language ability in four key areas. The writing section consists of two sections and takes 60 minutes to complete. This course is focused on helping you develop strategies to do your best in the exam. It looks at the types of essays you’ll need to write and gives you the tools and knowledge to reach your full potential. 

Enrol today

 

19. Understanding Autism

Autism is a developmental disability that impacts an individual’s communication and understanding of the world. It’s what’s known as a spectrum condition, meaning that different people are affected in different ways. However, there are some difficulties that everyone with autism share. This course, certified by the CPD Certification Service, explores some of the conditions and sensitivities that people on the autism spectrum often encounter. 

Enrol today

 

20. Bookkeeping for Personal and Business Accounting

Bookkeeping is a skill that’s relevant and useful to both your personal and professional life. The skills to manage your finances can be applied in the workplace as well as at home. This course helps you understand the maths you’ll need to balance the books. It also looks at concepts such as profit and loss and revenue and debt.  

Enrol today

 

21. Collaborative Working in a Remote Team

Since the start of the pandemic, people around the world have been working from home. In South Africa, it’s expected that a large number of workers will continue working remotely after lockdown is lifted. As such, it’s essential for people to understand how to work collaboratively and within a team, even when you’re not face-to-face with people. Our course on the subject, designed by the University of Leeds, explores the challenges and opportunities of remote working. It also helps you find ways to work collaboratively and successfully. 

Enrol today

 

22. Introduction to Forensic Science

Forensic science is a field that fascinates many people. This six-week course explores some of the most interesting aspects of the subject, looking at how crime scene evidence is examined. It follows a theoretical murder case and deals with a variety of different evidence types. No prior knowledge is needed, as you’ll learn many of the fundamentals as your progress through the course. 

Enrol today

 

23. Plagues, Pestilence and Pandemics: Are You Ready?

As we live through a global pandemic, the study of infectious diseases seems highly relevant. With this course, you’ll explore how infections are spread and how they can affect the body. It also looks at topics such as bacterial resistance, disease containment, and outbreak responses. The course was created by Griffith University and currently has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. 

Enrol today

 

24. Understanding IELTS: Speaking

The speaking section of the IELTS exam requires listening, comprehension, and speaking skills. For those English language learners taking the test, they’ll have to have a conversation with the examiner, which usually takes around 14 minutes to complete. The Understanding IETLS: Speaking course helps prepare you for the test. It outlines the four criteria you’ll be assessed on and provides tips and techniques to help you succeed. 

Enrol today

 

25. Understanding IELTS

This program consists of four courses, one for each section of the IELTS exam – reading, writing, speaking and listening. You’ll cover all of the essentials on how each area is structured, as well as what you need to demonstrate during the exam. It’s designed by the British Council and takes around 12 weeks to complete all four courses. 

Enrol today

 

UpSkilling – Change the Mindset

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UpSkilling – Change the Mindset

Remote workers.  Deskless workers.  Regardless of the preferred term, your employees, your customers are likely working from home.  They are not coming into your office or some other facility.  

And with that, becomes a challenge for L&D and Training. 

The Good Old Days  – As in early Feb. 2020

Let’s look into our crystal ball of the past and remember:

  • Physical ILT – in your conference room, in a training classroom, at a hotel, at a trade show
  • OJT – On the job training

On-site training at some level could be one on one – similar to coaching or it could be the manager training their staff on some thing.  How about those new employees?  The multi-day training of them, learning where folks sit, watching a video, reading the manual that nobody reads, are what seem essential.

And, well, that is all gone.

How, then can we train them on new skills, if we cannot physically be present and as of important what skills do they need to know in the current business situation?

Change the Focus

In the past, (like a few months ago), people were being trained specifically related to their job role.  If they were in consideration for leadership, they received leadership development training.   If they were looking at a new role in the company, they were provided (or should have been) content related to that new role.  Everything was job role based.  

Acceptable for sure. And when it came to onboarding the premise was provide them the information they need quickly, to onboard them quickly and have them into the fold.

Those days are gone.

Nearly “25 percent of workers reported that their skills were mismatched to the demands of their current job.” (World Economic Forum)

Think about that for a second. 

That stat was before the pandemic.  Imagine, what that is now?

Six Drivers

In the report, “Future Work Skills, 2020” they identify six drivers of change.

1. Extreme Longetivity – This is to say, that by 2025, 70% of Americans will be over 60 years old.

Add in the economic conditions that exist today and likely will for the next couple of years (according to some economists), people will continue to work, rather than retire.

Oh and add that for all the talk of “we can handle change”, people regardless of age in general, can’t.  Do you think, Carolyn, aged 62 is going to be thrilled that her role is going to require her to learn more skills, beyond what is she has been doing for 35 years?

2. Rise of Smart Machines and Systems.  –  Automation in the workforce will replace the need of humans doing those jobs.  We already see this happening, and occuring before the pandemic.  Robotics exists (you see in with manufacturing), now toss AI into the mix.  With a reduced need of humans for those roles, a company has two options – either re-skill them (ideal) or eliminate their role – i.e. lay them off or fire them. 

3. Computational World –  The world becomes one programmable system.  IT is in our lives.  The need for technical skills, even at the base level – learning Office for example, is an essential. 

4.  New Media Ecology  –  Powerpoint is dated.  Folks today must learn the latest forms of media including video and have the ability to dig deeper into the meaning of text and images, to extract essential knowledge.   Teaching your employees, Powerpoint – or how to create a deck in PPT, is the past, the new reality –  teach them how to shoot video and utilize it in an effective means for delivering knowledge, insight and communication.  

5. Superstructured Organizations – New forms of production and value via transformational social technology.  This was already taking place, pre-pandemic, but with the skills folks will need going forward will only expand. And you can be any size of business.

6. Globally Connected World. 

Reality Pre-Pandemic

  • One in four adults reported a mismatch in skills they have, and the skills they need for their current job (World Economic Forum)
  • Close to 30 percent (30%) of adults say they fear being seem as dumb or incompetent, if they ask for training in a skill that they should know or need to know for their job (Sitel, Future of Work and Employee Learning)
  • 46 Percent (46%) of full-time workers believe they have the skills that will enable them to compete, 10 years from now (Pulse of the American Worker Survey – Prudential)
  • It takes 36 days to learn a new skill (IBM Institute for Business Value
  • Depending on where/whom you read, the half-life of skills is five years, with it dropping down significantly for those in Engineering.  

The New Reality

You likely have employees working from home.  Even when the time comes to open up the office, the percentage of employees who will want to work from home, is likely to remain high (until a vaccine is available).    

As an employee working from home, you may prefer the office, just as some learners prefer sitting in a physical classroom to learn, even if they are not paying attention.  In other words, independent operation is similar to independent learning.   You either like it or you don’t. 

There are employees who need to be provided a daily task list or weekly for that matter, in order for them to feel comfortable, while there are others who would bristle at such a process. 

Those that need the daily task push (sure it is micro-managing, but look, there are people who prefer this), are now faced with a whole new dynamic paradigm, and one that is not favorable to them. 

Web conferencing is the rage.  Regardless if you use Zoom, WebEx or whomever, workers need to know how to use the application, and how to work with others in this new virtual setting.  

And with this comes new skills, they must learn.

  • Provide them with “how to” content covering whatever web conferencing solution you are using.  Include mini-quick reference cards.  3rd party off the shelf content does exist for some of these solutions.
  • Provide them with content on cross-collaboration, effective communication, emotional thinking, team dynamics and other soft skills that will be used in this new environment
  • Soft skills such as creativity, innovation (thinking out of the box) are crucial. 

Skills To Prepare

Your employee’s productivity is only as good as the level of training or learning you provide them, in their role.  If there was any form of learning that is ideal for your workforce, it is e-learning (i.e. online learning).

But with that, one must recognize the following:

  • Compliance training is one in and one out, this means that an employee will take the content/course right before it is due (the majority) or early on, complete and never return, thus usage of your learning system will be poor (if compliance is all you do)
  • Safety content is important, but if I am at home, and not on-site, then learning how to reduce chemical acccidents shouldn’t be at the top of the learn scale (not until, they return to their location on-site). 
  • Mindsets must change.  If you are providing any learning around safety, and those folks are all at home, is it still essential? At your location, absolutely, but will Dan need to know how to drive a forklift, if he isn’t going to be on-site, for the rest of the year? Can, you hold off on that forklift safety, until he returns to his location or until he gets close to returning?
  • If the percentage of your training/learning is job role specific, are you presenting your personnel with the skills content that provides new skills non-job related, but still of value to them?

There are a lot of distractions that come with working from home. Focusing on specific tasks if you will, may not be at the same  “let’s do it” mentality, because, they are home, away from prying eyes (at least you hope your employer isn’t using a keylogger or similar on that work laptop they provided you). 

Top Five Skills that are “MUSTS”

  1. Ability to not only know their own job skills, but learn at least some basics in other job roles and disciplines.  For example, an employee who is front-facing with a customer, should be provided content that breaks down some of the departments they may be asked upon.   Many of these employees, rarely receive customer skills training, communication and other soft skills that are relevant.   I remember back in the day, of having an employee ask if they could learn some of our content tied to our Ph.D. staff, because they were the first face folks saw when they came into a location and they were interested in learning about what folks were inquiring about.   I provided them and the rest of the folks in that group, with such information.  
  2. Differential Thinking – Thinking that is not dependent on “right now”, rather focuses on “what if”.  This requires content that isn’t just about their job role, it includes how to handle tasks that are not related to their role, but is essential in this new business environment.  Adaptability is a crucial skill set.
  3. Learning of new tools.  Bring out the content with Microsoft 365, toss in some content on MS Teams (if you use it) or Slack (if you use it).  Toss in articles or other forms of content to provide insight into the technological landscape, such as a machine learning or internet of things.   I’d definitely recommend content on how to use video as a form of “how to explain”.   The easy way is to just tell your employees to go to “YouTube”, but as someone in L&D, you shouldn’t go the easy way.  You should create content that pinpoints the tools you recognize are relevant to your employees, and will get them to access over and over again.
  4. Soft Skills – Now is the time to add this content to your learning system.  There are over 100 vendors out there who provide 3rd party content around various soft skills.  If your system does not offer soft skills content or offers it, but not with the vendor’s content you found, don’t fret.   You can still buy the content and have it integrated into your learning system via an API.
  5. Skills for tomorrow.  Too many folks focus on right now, and as a result you have people whose skills will become outdated, and/or jobs that did not exist in “right now”, that show up later on.

I recall a wonderful article that discussed all the new jobs in recent years within the gig economy. Nobody could foresee an Uber Driver, Doordash delivery person, personal shopper and so forth.  How many people recognized that data scientist would become a job in demand? 

Think of the global connected world.  Think about the millions of folks, perhaps yourself, that are currently learning a new language via an app on your mobile device or online.  Then ask yourself, why are you not offering the same opportunity to your workforce? Instead of just offering proprietary content, why not offer them 3rd party foreign language content?

Remember the distraction point? Or working from home?  To reduce indifference to using your learning system, because the only thing you are providing is “assigned”, tap into the interests. Learner-centric should now be the norm, not the “we never do that”, way. Training and Learning can be fun.  If that employee wants to have a family member take a soft skill course you have in your system, let them.   First off, they may be doing it already, and secondly, soft skills is about enrichment.

Be willing to re-skill your workforce.  We are very good saying “reskill”, as a country, but boy are we really poor at implementing it.  

 Leadership development must change.  A leader is one that just isn’t effective in their  job role, it requires so many more skill sets (soft skill wise) and even some multi-disciple too.  You can’t be observing someone any more, but you can observe the content that they are taking, and see where the gaps are.  

Future leaders in your company, will be those who adapted well during this time.  They are the ones who recognized and acted accordingly to the changes that have come about.  They will be skilled at communication, decision making, and collaboration with a remote workforce.

Bottom Line

vILT is hot and will continue to do so. But virtual ILT only works to a point. No one is going to retain any information by staring at someone’s face for an hour or two.  They need engagement and interaction, something that is beyond, typing in a chat room, or raising their “hand”.

Simulations should be something you should consider for your training.  3rd party content that goes beyond just text is something you should be offering.

And skills that are adaptable and available to all,

Must become the norm.

NEW: Here is the link to my webinar presentation on “How to Engage and Upskill with Training” 

E-Learning 24/7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Announcing the Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate from IBM

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Announcing the Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate from IBM

By Betty Vandenbosch, Chief Content Officer at Coursera 

With businesses rapidly moving their operations to the cloud and consumers demanding better data protection, the cybersecurity industry is facing a significant talent shortage. In fact, 3.5 million IT security roles are likely to go unfilled by 2021. 

To address this talent shortage, we are excited to announce the IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate, which will help learners launch a career in the field of IT security. The certificate is designed to help learners without cybersecurity experience become job-ready within eight months. Taught by architects, security operation center analysts, and security engineers from IBM, the courses draw on experts’ real-world experiences working on large-scale security systems at IBM and many of their clients. 

At $49 per month, the certificate offers an affordable stepping stone for individuals to enter the cybersecurity field. In eight courses, learners will develop the needed technical skills, covering a range of digital forensics concepts and cybersecurity analyst tools. To boost learner confidence before entering a new career in cybersecurity, the certificate includes a hands-on security breach project and 12 virtual labs featuring industry tools. Program completers are also eligible for the System Analyst Fundamentals IBM digital badge. LinkedIn profiles with IBM digital badges receive six times more profile views than those without. 

The IBM Professional Certificate comes at a critical moment for IT security, as enterprises and governments adapt to the impact of COVID-19. As organizations shift to remote work, they’re increasingly vulnerable to new cyber threats, and over half of cybersecurity teams are understaffed. The IBM Professional Certificate equips learners with the tools to help address malicious cyber activity while paving the way for a sustainable career. 

We’re proud to collaborate with IBM, the world’s biggest enterprise security vendor, to provide high-quality training to learners everywhere. Together, we hope to train thousands of IT security professionals to bridge a critical skills gap and help organizations around the world thrive in a safer digital ecosystem. 

Learn more about the IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate.

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Discover how the Google IT Support Professional Certificate helped Jason pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science

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Discover how the Google IT Support Professional Certificate helped Jason pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science

My name is Jason Niro, and I live in Las Vegas, Nevada. I graduated from Bay State College, in Boston, with a bachelor’s degree in entertainment management with a recording arts concentration. After graduation, I moved to Southern California to pursue a career as an Audio Engineer. While I was interning at a few record labels, I got an opportunity to work for Panasonic Avionics Corporation. My pursuit of a career in audio engineering soon ceased, and I ended up working at Panasonic for over seven years. During that time, I gained some knowledge about information technology and soon fell in love with it. 

I received hands-on experience with Linux servers, MySQL databases, networking, and a multitude of other proprietary technologies. I took a few classes at a local community college in networking and programming that were the equivalent of a CCNA certification, and also received a certificate in network infrastructure. In addition, I gained a basic understanding of the Python programming language. At that point, I really fell in love with all things technology. I kept learning at my job and on my own, but I really wanted to get a degree in computer science. I didn’t have the funds to go back to school, and so I kept looking for other opportunities to learn. 

I came across the Google IT Support Professional Certificate in 2018. Google was providing 10,000 students with access to this certificate program for free. I applied for the scholarship and was lucky enough to get it! I completed the Google IT Support Professional Certificate, and around that time, I saw that the University of London was providing a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science through the Coursera platform. I enrolled for the degree program in April 2019 (part of the first cohort of students) and am loving every minute of it!

The Google IT Support Professional Certificate helped me get a head start on my degree in computer science. I did not have to take the How Computers Work class, and my certificate was recognized as proof that I knew some of the basics. In addition, this certificate gave me the confidence I needed to apply for the degree program. 

“Knowing I could complete a certificate program provided by Google really inspired me to continue learning.”

The Google IT Support Professional Certificate also helped me on the job. While working at Panasonic Avionics Corporation, I was able to work with Linux in a more efficient and effective way. I was also able to help troubleshoot many issues that arose, from Linux servers to Mac and Windows Operating Systems. 

I recently left my position at Panasonic and am currently working at MGM Resorts International in Las Vegas, in their IT department. I am currently working in the IT Risk department, but I will be transitioning over to their Computer Engineering department (which is an advanced technical help desk position) in the coming months. In this position, I will definitely be using everything I learned from the Google IT Support Professional Certificate program. 

The reason I decided to get my degree in computer science through the University of London program was that it provided two things that were extremely important to me. I wanted to learn from the best, and I feel that the University of London has provided outstanding content from which I have gained a tremendous amount. Also, compared to other computer science programs, it was affordable, and something I could do from home on my own time. I am thirty-two years old with a wife and a one-year-old. I am currently the sole provider, and I needed to be able to work full time while obtaining this degree. 

While it is not easy for me to afford this program, it is a lot cheaper than many other available options. I know that getting this degree will enhance my career, and with it, my pay. Getting a degree in computer science is something I always wanted to do, and I just didn’t know how to do it until I found the London program. I really enjoy learning, and both the Google IT Support Professional Certificate and the University of London program have provided me with ample learning material that I will use for the rest of my life.

While I am in school, I want to work with as many different pieces of technology as I can. I enjoy “getting my hands dirty,” and I believe I am on the right track. My five-year plan is to complete my degree from the University of London and attain a career with one or both of the following organizations: Google, or the government (FBI or NSA). I truly believe that working for these organizations is a way I can use my skills in IT and computer science to make a difference in many people’s lives.

 

Graphs, Charts and Maps From Three Years of “What’s Going On in This Graph?”

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Graphs, Charts and Maps From Three Years of “What’s Going On in This Graph?”

Each of the graphs in this slide show was featured in one of our weekly “What’s Going On in This Graph?” discussions from 2017-2020. To learn more about a graph, including source information and related statistical concepts, visit the accompanying link.

Inside Footballs’ Campaign to Save the Game

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