Resources: Online Learning

Written by Maria-Komissa Kalafati

Continuous adult learning and lifelong learning are increasingly becoming highly regarded in modern day society. Fortunately, learning organisations are catering to this need and are providing educational opportunities for adults. Specifically, online learning opportunities have become popular especially during the pandemic. Online learning, in essence, encompasses communicating information and learning material over the internet. Therefore, this might take many forms, as per example online courses, online discussions, online workshops and seminars, online reading material, or even a simple Google search. Additionally, online learning is characterised by flexibility since it allows you to set your own study schedule and learn from the comfort of your own space. However, this plethora of learning opportunities is not always taken advantaged of, as it is known that adults moderately engage with lifelong learning opportunities.

This series of articles have attempted to curate and promote some adult learning opportunities; however, it is essential to stress that these are only a selection of the plethora of opportunities available. Consequently, this article will aim to encourage its audience to take the initiative to search for a learning opportunity and will therefore provide some tips on how to search and engage with online learning resources to suit your needs best. Everyone takes a unique approach to online learning and thus, personalising the process can be considered the most effective practice. Finally, I will share a selection of websites that I personally find useful when searching for such independent learning resources and opportunities.

Tips for Online Learning

Learning Online, has great affordances for the learner, as previously mentioned. However, some might find online learning intimidating, and this section of the article will focus on providing simple tips to encourage the audience to engage with online learning opportunities.

First of all, in order to successfully engage with an online learning resource, it is essential to define your goal from the very beginning. A goal may be, for example, to learn a new skill, gain more knowledge about a topic or improve job performance. It has been proven, that learners who begin a course with a clear idea of their goal are more likely to complete it.

Secondly, when selecting an online learning resource pay attention to the provider. Engaging with these learning opportunities, can enhance your CV and your career prospects however not all providers, and thus all learning, are regarded in the same manner. Hiring managers value the reputation of the institution that offer the courses or the resources over the specific credential that is earned from it. Since many highly recognisable, academically selective universities and companies offer these resources and courses for low or no cost, it is suggested to opt for these opportunities.

The last tip is to complete the course, finish watching the video resource or even finish reading the article. Learners who complete their engagement with the material are more likely to learn something new and improve performance. Certain courses or events do additionally offer certificates of completion that can be used as evidence of having successfully completed the learning in order to inform potential employers.

Online Learning Resources

Even though there are specific resources, courses and organisations that provide online learning opportunities, there are some providers that host a variety of online courses or online learning opportunities, in various subject areas. So, when searching for an adult learning resource it might be worthwhile first looking at providers as such. A selection of the providers that I personally find very useful, and that I often refer to when searching for learning opportunities will follow.

edX

Edx, is an online platform created by Harvard and MIT that offers massive open online courses, also known as MOOCs. It is a mission-driven organisation, working towards a vision of a world where every learner can access education to unlock their potential, without the barriers of cost or location. Therefore, edX courses take place online and some are offered at no cost. This has facilitated edX to be accessed by a worldwide student body, having therefore more than 33 million registered students. To meet the learners needs, edX currently provides more than 3,000 courses, covering a wide range of disciplines and subject areas.

Even though the courses are provided by independent organisations, they tend to consist of weekly learning sequences, which is composed of short videos and interactive learning exercises. EdX offers a variety of ways to take courses, including verified courses where students have the option to audit the course (no cost) or to work toward an edX Verified Certificate (fees vary by course). Moreover, XSeries Certificates are offered for completion of a bundled set of verified courses in a single subject. So, if you are searching for a free online course or if you are seeking a certificate of completion, edX might be able to cater for your needs.