With the availability of fast and reliable internet, online learning has become a popular approach in gaining new knowledge and skills. With people exploring means to carry out tasks at their own pace in a flexible lifestyle, this mode of learning has become more common. Now, as the current health crisis has predisposed individuals to stay at home, online learning has gained more prominence.
Even before the pandemic, online learning has been in existence as an option for students and professionals who prefer distance education. However, the outbreak has forced schools and academic institutions to shift to the virtual realm. Thanks to the internet, the process of acquiring knowledge and getting education remains unhampered.
What is an Online Course?
An online course is a way to learn new skills through a series of lessons delivered through a website and that can be viewed on your computer or a mobile device. The course may be taken for a fee or it may be offered for free. It can be accessed anytime and in any location. These courses are designed in a virtual environment for learning to be convenient.
Online courses can take many forms. These may include instructional videos or audios, educational documents, images, or worksheets. Several institutions or companies offering online courses have also established discussion forums, community portals, or chat groups to enable teachers and students to interact with each other.
Topics or lessons in an online course are usually pre-recorded before these will be arranged and uploaded on a portal or website as a collection of modules. These lessons are designed in a sequential order for students to take and follow. For some courses, there are methods that can assess or evaluate a student’s performance.
Rise of Online Courses in the Philippines
Online courses have become increasingly popular in the country. More Filipinos have taken advantage of taking professional development courses and training programs provided in digital platforms. Some may find these online courses as valuable, more practical, and less expensive as compared to face-to-face seminars or training.
Top Online Courses for Filipinos
If you are equipped with fast and reliable internet, you can explore various websites to check several courses offered by educational institutions, non-profit organizations, or companies. However, it is imperative that the online course you may want to invest your time and effort in should contribute to your life goals. Likewise, it should deliver quality content and clear outcome.
Here are some amazing online courses you may want to pursue this 2021:
1. Digital Marketing and Social Media Marketing
With the explosion of people joining digital media platforms, it is useful to take digital marketing courses offered online. In the field of mass media, public relations, and communications, the competency on digital marketing is now a prerequisite for high-paying jobs.
Through an interactive online course, you can also learn the core principles and effective strategies in social media marketing. This will be helpful if you intend to start a business venture by leveraging these social media platforms.
2. Computer science and programming
The tech industry is continuously growing. Computers, mobile gadgets, and electronic devices tend to occupy people’s lifestyle as more activities shift online. The demand for IT experts, programmers, and coders is still on the rise. As these jobs are hot commodities, you can also look forward to great compensation and benefits.
Fundamental courses that may interest you include introduction to computer science, programming, Java programming, iOS App Development, Android Basics.
3. Web development
Everyone will need a website. As the internet becomes a basic need, the demand for web developers will remain high. Web development entails building, creating, and maintaining websites. Different sectors in society will need people who are skilled in web design, web publishing, web programming, and database management.
As web development is expected to provide more jobs, this career path is definitely a good choice. It may be challenging and there can be stiff competition, but jobs in this industry pay well.
4. Data science and analytics
Data is crucial in business and technology. Companies depend on data insights and analysis prior to making big business decisions. Now, with the importance of social media presence, every firm will need skilled professionals on data analytics.
Online courses on data science and analytics will be useful for those who aspire to get a job within this field. Moreover, many industries are seen to be reliant on data, so deciding to pursue this career is precisely a smart move.
5. Photography
If you are into taking photographs and images, there are many online photography courses that may help you improve your skills in this craft. These courses are taught by world-class photographers.
The courses cover everything – from the fundamentals of how your camera works to how you will be able to take good photographs. Courses are also available for beginners who are exploring the basics of photography or for professional photographers who are seeking to learn more techniques.
6. Communication
An individual’s communication skills are primary consideration for any employer. Every organization wants their prospective employees to be able to speak, listen, and write effectively in a professional setting.
Fortunately, there are online communication courses that will teach you the essential skills in effective communication. These courses will demonstrate techniques and strategies in public speaking. Similarly, you will be taught on how you can improve your writing and listening skills that will give you the edge to prospective job opportunities.
7. Business Management
If you are managing a team or you are into a business, management courses will help build necessary skills to improve your leadership, time management, team dynamics, and even personal motivation.
Courses in these fields range from leadership principles, management essentials, and organizational communication, among others. Taking these courses will help you execute good ideas, introduce innovation in the organization. Moreover, through coaching and mentoring, you will become a better boss and an effective manager.
8. Languages
Most people used to think that speaking English is enough. However, as nations across the globe have become more interconnected, it is a plus factor if you are able to speak more than one language.
Through the power of the internet, your goal of learning other foreign languages is easily attainable. As companies and brands all over the world are also expanding their global presence, language courses that are offered online can give you the competitive edge.
9. Food and Beverage
Even in the midst of pandemic, food and beverage are considered essentials. You may find the right course for you to harness your passion for cooking. This shall entail basic cooking techniques which you can apply to prepare different dishes and sumptuous meals.
Some companies even have world-renowned chefs and food experts as your instructors.
10. Virtual Assistant Course
Online technology has paved way for people to be able to work from home. More companies and entrepreneurs seek for individuals who can provide administrative support virtually. Virtual assistant work is an amazing option for those who opt to permanently work from home. One advantage is that you can do it anywhere, you can spend more time with your family, and you can still earn a lot.
Moreover, courses are not only designed for those who would to be virtual assistants but also for those who would want to start a virtual assistant business.
Educational Websites for Online Courses
There are so many educational websites and online training institutions that provide virtual courses that can help you be equipped with your needed skills and competencies. You may be able to find the course you aspire to take from this list of online platforms and training sites:
1. Coursera
Coursera is an online platform that has partnered with more than 200 leading universities and companies in order to provide world-class, flexible, affordable, and job-relevant virtual learning to people across the globe. You can check their free courses or you may prefer to start with a free trial. You can also get on-demand lectures for desktop and mobile, on your available schedule.
It also offers a range of learning opportunities, ranging from hands-on projects and courses to job-ready certificates and degree programs.
2. EdX
EdX is a non-profit initiative that provides massive open online course (MOOC) created by Harvard and MIT. It hosts over 3,000 courses that seek to increase access to high-quality education for everyone, everywhere; enhance teaching and learning on campus and online; and advance teaching and learning through research. Using a single platform, EdZ enables online campuses, instructor-led courses, degree programs, and self-paced courses.
3. Udemy
Udemy is another popular and valuable online resource. It is even considered an online learning and teaching marketplace. This platform is also an MOOC provider with over 155,000 courses to choose from and 70,000 instructors teaching courses in over 65 languages. What’s good about this is that you can join this site for free. It is also offering free courses and you can also explore other courses for a fee.
4. Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a non-profit organization that aims to provide free and world-class training. It offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that enable learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. This organization offers courses including math, science, history, art history, and economics, among others.
5. Skillshare
Skillshare is another online learning community with thousands of classes for creative and curious people. Course topics can range from illustration to design, photography, video, technology and freelancing, among others. On Skillshare, you can learn competitive skills and find inspiration to pursue your creative pursuits.
6. Udacity
Udacity is an educational organization that provides accessible and affordable means for individuals to get higher education credentials. It is a remarkable platform to take online courses and competencies that are in-demand in various industries.
This platform is an excellent choice if you intend to take courses in Android, iOS, web development, and data science and analytics.
7. FutureLearn
FutureLearn is a digital education platform that offers online courses and degrees from leading universities and organizations. You can choose from short courses, specialist courses, microcredentials and programs, and online degrees.
This platform provides opportunities for learners to develop hobbies, new skills and career-changing expertise with flexible courses.
8. Codecademy
Codecademy is an online interactive platform that provides classes for software developers. It is considered one of the best sites for individuals who would want to learn ‘how to code’. This platform provides students with online courses in 14 different programming languages such as Java or Python.
TESDA Open Online Programs for Filipinos
In the Philippines, individuals can avail of online courses offered by the Technical Education and Services Development Authority (TESDA). As an open educational resource, the TESDA Online Program (TOP) seeks to make technical education more accessible to Filipino citizens through the use of information and communication technologies.
Through TOP, Filipinos can register for free and access in demand online courses that can help them find better employment opportunities. According to the agency, each online course comprises of core competencies provided in normal training sessions. For a list of courses they offer, you may visit their website.
The Importance of Fast and Reliable Internet to Online Courses
In this time when learning has shifted to the digital platforms, fast and reliable internet connection is essential for these online courses. Unlimited fiber internet is highly recommended to achieve an effective learning process and smooth web experience.
Here’s the amazing news! Streamtech, the country’s newest wave in fast fiber internet, offers a wide array of products and services that can help you realize your career aspirations and attain your professional goals.
Streamtech provides affordable fiber home internet plans, including unlimited fiber internet and cable TV bundles, that will definitely suit the prerequisites of online learning.
You may also avail of the DigiClass kit, which is a product designed to address the needs of individuals taking online classes. It is bundled with Streamtech’s affordable fiber internet services in collaboration with All Home.
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