During the Covid-19 pandemic millions of people are unemployed and abiding by the government stay at home orders. I did not want to waste my free time during this isolation, so I researched some on-line certification classes. Coursera had exactly what I was looking for; a seamless layout, a multitude of classes from many colleges and universities, and an inexpensive way to enhance my education. I am not the type that loved school or studying by any means. Signing up allowed me to choose a course that I was passionate about and fit my learning schedule. Some key reasons why Coursera was perfect:
1. The variety of classes are endless, with an easy search tool
2. Geography is not an issue, avoid the commute to school
3. Convenience and flexibility
4. Less expensive than tuition
5. The online classroom is good preparation for a possible changing workforce
Coursera provides hundreds of free e-learning classes. I chose to spend $45.00 on Strategy of Content Marketing because this allowed me to obtain a certificate of completion (below).
First, it takes about 5 minutes to create a login and profile on the site. Then begin researching the courses that interest you by using keywords. Make sure you read the prerequisites and the student ratings. If you like what you see enroll in the course and start learning. Coursera also has an easy to navigate app for great on-the-go learning.
The course I completed, taught by Sonia Simone, provided video lectures, audio interviews, as well as readings for each section. It was broken down into 5 weeks of lessons which I completed in 3.5 weeks. After completing video lectures a quiz was administered on the topics that you had been taught. Also to assess learning there were 2 peer-graded assignments and discussion forums on the topics at hand. This was the only part I disliked, as I wanted a true professional opinion of my work.
On-line learning is now easier than ever; allowing students the opportunity to plan study time around their day, instead of the other way around. The courses below are free until May 31, 2020, or until enrollment fills up.
How to enroll in Coursera courses for free:
Click on the class you'd like to take and there should be a blue promo banner at the top of the page.
Click the 'Enroll for free' button.
Select 'Purchase Course,' If the promo has applied, it should say "Your promotion will automatically be applied at checkout."
At checkout, the course should be free, $0.
With easy access to top quality lecturers online I am in search for my next learning adventure. Coursera's online education is affordable and flexible. Take advantage of your time and find a class that enhances your learning.
Health
COVID-19: What You Need to Know (CME Eligible)
Science Matters: Let's Talk About COVID-19
Psychological First Aid
Social Psychology
A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment
Introductory Human Physiology
Epidemiology: The Basic Science of Public Health
Essentials of Global Health
Ecology: Ecosystem Dynamics and Conservation
Epidemics, Pandemics and Outbreaks
Global Health: An Interdisciplinary Overview
Disaster Preparedness
Disease Screening in Public Health Epidemics
Communicating During Global Emergencies
Infection Prevention in Nursing Homes
Disease Clusters
The Challenges of Global Health
Animals
Dog Emotion and Cognition
Science of Exercise
Animal Behaviour and Welfare
The Truth About Cats and Dogs
Dino 101: Dinosaur Paleobiology
Bugs 101: Insect-Human Interactions
Arts & Humanities
Introduction to Philosophy
Fashion as Design
Making Architecture
Getting Started with Music Theory
Big History: Connecting Knowledge
Guitar for Beginners
The Language of Design: Form and Meaning
Business
Marketing Analytics
The Strategy of Content Marketing
Personal & Family Financial Planning
Managing the Company of the Future
Becoming a changemaker: Introduction to Social Innovation
Communication Strategies in the Virtual Age
Design: Creation of Artifacts in Society
The Science of Success: What Researchers Know that You Should Know
Teamwork Skills: Communicating Effectively in Groups
New Models of Business in Society
Data science
Probability and Statistics: To p or not to p?
Computer science
Introduction to Programming with MATLAB
C++ For C Programmers, Part A
Computer Vision Basics
Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming
Build Your First Android App (Project-Centered Course)
Algorithms, Part I
Algorithms, Part II
Analysis of Algorithms
Computer Science: Algorithms, Theory, and Machines
Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose
Industrial IoT on Google Cloud Platform
Google Cloud Platform Fundamentals for AWS Professionals
Introduction to TCP/IP
Cloud & Tech
Machine Learning for Business Professionals
Building Conversational Experiences with Dialogflow
Industrial IoT on Google Cloud Platform
Google Cloud Platform Fundamentals for AWS Professionals
Introduction to TCP/IP
AWS Computer Vision: Getting Started with GluonCV
Introduction to Cloud Identity
Cloud Computing Basics (Cloud 101)
Developing AI Applications on Azure
Getting Started with AWS Machine Learning
Language
First Step Korean
Chinese for Beginners
Tricky American English Pronunciation
Writing English at University
Math & Logic
Introduction to Calculus
Data Science Math Skills
Calculus: Single Variable Part 1 - Functions
Calculus: Single Variable Part 2 - Differentiation
Calculus: Single Variable Part 3 - Integration
Personal Development
De-Mystifying Mindfulness
Think Again I: How to Understand Arguments
The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs
Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential
Healing with the Arts
Introduction to Personal Branding
Creative Problem Solving
Exploring Emerging Technologies for Lifelong Learning and Success
Creative Thinking: Techniques and Tools for Success
Sit Less, Get Active
How to Write a Resume (Project-Centered Course)
Successful Career Development
Converting Challenges into Opportunities
How to Get Skilled: Introduction to Individual Skills Management (Project-Centered Course)
Applying to U.S. Universities
How to Apply to College
Physical Science
Fundamentals of Engineering Exam Review
Introduction to Sustainability
Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space
Introduction to Chemistry: Reactions and Ratios
Mountains 101
Introduction to Chemistry: Structures and Solutions
Mechanics of Materials I: Fundamentals of Stress & Strain and Axial Loading
The Science of the Solar System
Chemistry
Computer Architecture
Physics & Astronomy
How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics
Social Science
How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper (Project-Centered Course)
U101: Understanding College and College Life
