Online courses directory (801)

The free online course Physical Fitness - How to Avoid Injuries and Train Safely is designed to show you how to train safely in challenging environments, how to prevent and treat a range of injuries and what effects performance enhancing substances can have on your health. The course begins by focusing on three specific environments in which it is difficult to safely train: extreme heat, extreme cold and high altitude. You will learn the necessary precautions that must be taken in order to ensure that you stay safe in each environment. First you will learn how the body adapts to protect itself in each environment, next you will study the external factors that can make it difficult for your body to adapt to each environment and to conclude you will study a range of conditions that can be acquired from failing to take the necessary precautions to remain safe in each environment. The course then continues to examine something which individuals who regularly engage in physical training will experience, namely, injuries. You will learn how to identify common indicators of injury such as swelling, inflammation and reduced range of motion. Next, you will study the most common injuries that are experienced by those who engage in regular physical activity. Finally, you will learn how to prevent and treat a range of injuries including fractures, sprains and shin splints. The course concludes by examining the effects performance enhancing substances such as anabolic steroids can have on your body. You will study both the positive and negative effects of anabolic steroids and examine the legal implications of taking them. You will also examine a range of other performance enhancing substances including human growth hormone, erythropoietin and ephedrine. You will learn about the effects that they can have on your overall performance and long-term health. This course will be of great interest to anyone who wishes to gain a greater insight into the necessary steps that must be taken to remain safe while training. The course will also be of interest to professionals who work in the health and fitness industry or individuals who may be interested in pursuing a career in the health and fitness.<br />

Delivering Community Development is the second in a series of free online courses that will guide you in the delivery of a successful community development project. The course will also guide you on how to maintain momentum during a community development project and how to evaluate the effectiveness of the project. Using community health as a springboard for understanding community development you will learn about the key skills needed in delivering community-based projects such as effective communication and facilitation techniques, how to prepare presentations and key leadership skills. You will learn about media communication techniques such as writing a press release or how to answer a difficult question. The course also reviews how to work with other organisations in the community and you will learn how to identify the key factors that make a successful partnership. You will also learn about fundraising, the pros and cons of different types of fundraising and the phases of fundraising. Volunteers are a key resource in any community project and you will learn how to recruit them and what makes fora successful volunteer program. Finally, you will learn about the methods you can use to evaluate the community project and what you need to do to sustain progress in a community group. This course will be of great interest to professionals or volunteers working in community development and with community organisations and who would like to learn more about the key skills needed to deliver a successful community project.<br />

Inclusion of Minorities in Community Development is the third in a series of free online courses that will assist you in the delivery of a community development project and help you include the different minority groups in the process. Using community health as a springboard for understanding community development you will learn to identify diversity in the community and how to include minority groups who may have been overlooked in the decision making process. You will get an overview of the challenges of including minorities in a community development project, such as changing demographics and barriers to equitable access as well as getting an overview of why inclusiveness is important. You will also learn about the benefits that accrue to an organisation or community that is inclusive. The course then outlines the process for organisational change before going through the steps needed to affect change. Finally, you will be introduced to a number of tools and techniques, such as how to use a template for the terms of reference or how to conduct a focus group, that will help you implement inclusiveness. This course will be of great interest to professionals or volunteers working in community development and with community organisations. It will also be of interest to learners who would like to know more about community development and its role in changing and improving local communities.<br />

The free online course Study Skills provides detailed information on a variety of techniques you can use to greatly improve your study skills. The course also has advice on how you can identify and overcome common study problems, how you can manage your study workload and how you can develop good time management skills. The course begins by showing you how learning occurs most effectively in a cycle of four steps: Preparing, Absorbing, Capturing and Reviewing. Goal setting and planning ahead are also covered as well as the best ways to stay focused and motivated to reach your study goals. You will also learn about strategies for managing, prioritizing and dealing with time. Next, you will learn about learning strategies such as the process of storing and retrieving information, the use of mnemonics for memorizing lists and data, and the most effective ways to ask questions either in a classroom setting or in an online forum. The four main methods and formats of note taking are explained. You will also learn about the critical thinking process such as asking the right questions to understand a problem and considering the value of research material and deciding how to use it. You will learn effective strategies for studying online e-learning courses, and how you can stay motivated to successfully complete online courses. You will learn about the process of active reading, and the strategies used to engage with text-based materials. You will also learn about how to review and evaluate different types of texts with a particular focus on the methods used with math and science based material. Exam situations are also covered, explaining the different types of tests, how to combat test anxiety and how study groups can give you new perspectives on material and help you fill in gaps in your notes. Finally, you are introduced to the methods of academic writing such as how to produce a first draft and review it for errors, and how to present it in a professional format. The three stages in the writing process are explained: Preparing, Writing the draft and Revising and editing. You will also learn how writing skills are transferable and can be used in the classroom, in online courses or in exam situations. This course will be of great interest to learners studying a wide range of subjects as it will help you develop and implement very effective study skills that will increase your confidence and performance.<br />

The free online course Introduction to Journalism provides information on the basic principles and practices in journalism, such as how to identify a story, how to gather facts, how to perform interviews and research, and how to create news articles while maintaining the highest journalistic ethics. The course begins by introducing you to the key elements of journalism such as identifying what is and what is not newsworthy, how to identify stories which are new, unusual or significant, and how to distinguish between a big news story and a small one. Next, you will learn about organizing and writing the feature story itself: you will learn how to define a feature story, what the basic approaches to writing the feature story are and what different types of feature stories there are. The basic processes and approaches involved in getting the required information for a feature story and putting it into an easily understood form is also explained. You will also learn about the four parts of an editorial, the different approaches to editorial titles and the three types of conclusions most commonly used in editorial writing. You will also learn about the different roles and responsibilities in a newsroom and how to use story weighting to assess a story's value and newsworthiness. Finally, you are introduced to the methods that address ethical issues which might arise during the course of journalistic activities with people, businesses and institutions. You will also learn how journalists must live up to the highest standards of integrity such as truth, fairness and sincerity, and you will learn why journalists must avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest. This course will be of great interest to professionals who work in the areas of communications and reportage and who want to learn how to tell stories in a way that will inform people in society. It will also be of great interest to all learners who would like to learn more about the key practices and procedures in journalism and who may want to pursue a career in journalism.<br />

The free online course Journalism in the Digital Age provides information on the varying web tools and practices used by journalists online, from the use of social media to online safety to ethical issues faced by professional and citizen journalists.<br /><br />The course begins by introducing the online risks and threats affecting modern journalism. You will learn about the digital dimensions of journalistic safety such as awareness raising, digital security, safety assistance and research. You will also learn about online security and how software viruses have the capacity to collect, analyze and store digital communications. You will learn how journalists and others who contribute to journalism are now experiencing threats on multiple platforms such as online abuse, cyberstalking and harassment, and how relatively easy it is for an attacker to collect details about a person online.<br /> <br />Next, you will learn about new reporting methods and how journalists need to become as efficient as possible by embracing technology and using the power of the online community to help with their reporting. Different tools such crowdsourcing, distributed and open source reporting, and the use of social media are explained. You will also learn about the basic processes and approaches involved in online blogging and how to cultivate a community with readers to test ideas, receive feedback and publish in the timeliest manner possible. The use of good graphics, photos and video and how they add visual appeal, attract readers attention, and make stories more understandable, as well as the tools involved, are also explained.<br /><br />Finally, you are introduced to the essential elements of a news package and how to set a news agenda online. You will learn about utilizing online research methods and strategies such as taking user surveys and using focus groups to provide information. You will also learn about broadcast and script writing techniques, and how these create the framework for your words, sound and video to tell the story.<br /><br />This course will be of great interest to journalists and students who want to improve their understanding of the use of the web and online digital tools for journalism, as well as emerging online safety issues and digital developments.<br />

In this free online course Diploma in Software Testing you will learn about strategies that are used for testing software. You will learn about the verification and validation processes of testing and the difference between the two. You will learn about the different levels of testing. You will learn about system testing and its categories and strategies. You will learn about integration testing, when it is applied and how it works. You will learn about the difference in testing an Object-orientated program compared to the traditional procedural program.<br /><br />The course begins by introducing you to software testing concepts. You will learn about the effort involved in testing and where during the software development life cycle testing starts. You will learn about the verification and validation processes of testing, and about the different testing levels and what the different levels test. You will learn about the pesticide effect for software testing, and the software development life cycle V model, and its strengths and weaknesses. You will learn about the fault model and how it outlines the types of faults in a program. You will learn about test cases, design &amp; planning and strategies for test cases. You will learn about unit testing, what it is and what parts of the program it tests.<br /><br />Next, you will learn about Black box testing strategies. You will learn about equivalence class testing and how it works. You will also learn about special value testing, combinatorial testing, decision table-based testing, and pair-wise or all-pairs testing methods. <br /><br />You will learn about different white-box strategies. You will learn about coverage based testing techniques and which is the strongest and weakest of these techniques. You will learn about the Modified condition and decision coverage testing also known as MC/DC testing. You will learn about path testing and about creating control flow graphs. You will learn about dataflow testing to test variables in your program. You will learn about introducing faults into a program for mutation testing. You will learn about how mutation testing works, its drawbacks and terminology. You will learn about integration testing, what it is and different approaches to this type of testing. <br /><br />Finally, you will be introduced to the levels of testing above unit testing. You will learn about different types of system performance testing methods and how they work. You will learn about regression testing, when it is performed and why. You will learn about testing Object-Orientated programs and features of OO programming such as inheritance and polymorphism. You will learn why some testing methods for procedural programs will not work with OO programs. You will also learn about the different integration testing strategies for testing you OO program.<br /><br />This course will be of great interest to any programmer who wishes to learn about testing methods that can be used to test software programs they have written. <br /><br />

The free online course Media Studies – Entertainment and Broadcast Media guides you through, and discusses the pros and cons of the media types; music, radio, movies, and television. The course also looks at the challenges facing each type of media, and the impact which the emergence of new technology has had upon them. <br /><br />This course begins by developing an understanding of music. In particular you will look at the development of different music genres, and examine the impact each genre of music has had on culture. You will also look at the popular trends in the music industry, and production systems. Finally, you will look at the impact which technology has had upon the music industry.<br /><br />Next, you will be introduced to the radio industry, and its development throughout history. In order to achieve this, you will look at the evolution of radio broadcasting. You will also gain insight into the different formats which radio stations can adapt, and their impact upon popular culture. You will also examine the technological advances and future direction of this medium. <br /><br />You will also look at the impact which movies have had upon culture throughout their history, and the continuous interaction between movies and culture. You will examine some of the issues and trends which have been prevalent in the movie industry. The influence of new technology upon the industry will similarly be inspected, which will help you appreciate how the industry is changing. <br /><br />Finally, you will examine the place which television holds within history. You will examine its impact on culture, while also learning about the interaction between television and culture. The issues facing television, as well as its prevalent trends will also be examined. The discussion surrounding the impact of new technology will help you to better understand today’s television industry.<br /><br />This free online course will be of great interest to professionals working in the areas of media or culture, and would like to learn more about the field. It will also be of interest to learners would like to learn more about entertainment and broadcast media. <br />

Community Development - Planning Promotional Programs and Seeking Funding is the last in a series of free online courses that will help you plan promotional programs for your community project and assist you in getting funding for the project. <br /><br />Using community health as a springboard for understanding community development you will be taken through the process of planning a health promotion program. Starting with a situational assessment and goal setting you will learn how to create specific promotional objectives and outcomes, choose appropriate strategies and resources, and set indicators for measuring the success of the promotion. <br /><br />The course then takes you through the process of seeking funding for your community development project. You will learn to how identify possible sources of funding and develop a project plan to use as a basis for applying for that funding. You will also learn how to manage the process of developing the funding proposal, how to package the proposal, how to submit it for consideration and how to follow up after submission. Sample documents and worksheets for the various steps are included with the course. <br /><br />This course will be of great interest to professionals or volunteers working in community development and with community organisations. It will also be of interest to learners who would like to know more about community development and its role in changing and improving local communities. <br />

The free online course Introduction to C# Programming presents the basics of programming in C# using the Visual Studio Express from Microsoft. The course begins by showing you how to download and install Visual Studio Express, which is a free software package available from Microsoft, in a step-by-step manner. You will then be guided around and shown the features and functions of the Visual Express Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The .NET Framework is the software framework developed by Microsoft that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows and you will be shown how C# can be used to create .NET applications. You will learn how to correctly format code in C# and how to use the IDE to review C# code for errors. You will learn how programs written for .NET Framework execute in a software environment known as Common Language Runtime (CLR) and how the CLR provides services such as security, memory management, and exception handling. Finally, you will learn how to declare variables and assign values in C#, and how to create branches with the if .. else ... then decision statement and the conditional operator. This free course on C# Programming will be of great interest to all learners who would like to learn more about C# programming and how to use Visual Studio Express for programming software applications.<br />

The free online course Diploma in Community Development introduces how community development can bring significant positive changes to a local community, and reviews the techniques needed to run successful community projects.<br /><br />The course begins by introducing you to what is needed to get a community group started and how to organise a community group to take action. Using community health as a springboard for understanding community development, you will learn about the values, concepts and practices commonly found in the community development sector. You will learn how to define the community and its characteristics, and identify an issue to be actioned within the community. You will look at the various roles within a community group and the strategies it can use to further its objectives.<br /><br />The course then guides you on how to maintain momentum during a community development project and how to evaluate the effectiveness of the project. You will learn about media communication techniques, how to work with other organisations in the community, how to recruit community volunteers and what makes for a successful volunteer program. You will also learn about the methods you can use to evaluate the community project and what you need to do to sustain progress in a community group.<br /><br />You will get an overview of the challenges of including minorities in a community development project and you will learn about the benefits that accrue to an organisation or community that is inclusive. You will learn to identify diversity in the community and how to include minority groups who may have been overlooked in the decision making process. You will be introduced to a number of tools and techniques, such as how to use a template for the terms of reference or how to conduct a focus group, that will help you implement inclusiveness. You will be guided through ethical practice and principles in the context of community development and who should abide by these guidelines as well as reviewing examples of unethical behaviour.<br /><br />You will be taken through the process of planning a promotional program using a health promotion program as a case study. You will learn how to create specific promotional objectives and outcomes, choose appropriate strategies and resources, and set indicators for measuring the success of the promotion. You will learn how identify and apply for sources of funding for your community development project. You will learn how to manage the process of developing the funding proposal, how to package the proposal, how to submit it for consideration and how to follow up after submission. Sample documents and worksheets for the various steps are included with the course. <br /><br />This free Diploma course will be of great interest to professionals or volunteers working in community development and with community organisations. It will also be of interest to learners who would like to know more about community development and its role in changing and improving local communities.<br />

The free online course Computer Networking - Local Area Networks and the OSI Model introduces the key devices found on local area networks (LANs) and the structure of different types of LANs. It also explains the seven layers of the OSI model that allow devices on networks communicate with each other. <br /><br />The course begins by introducing you to the key devices found on LANs such as hubs, switches and routers, and how each of these devices functions to allow for effective and efficient communication on the LAN. You will then learn about the functions of IP addresses and how they are broken down into Network ID and Host ID components. You will be introduced to the different network topologies such as Star, Bus, Ring and how they function. Next you will learn about Ethernet which is the de facto standard and most widely installed LAN technology. You will learn how devices on an Ethernet network communicate with each other using Frames. <br /><br />The course then moves on to explain the seven layers of the OSI Model. You will learn about the structure and function of each layer and how data is passed through the seven layers to allow two devices communicate with each other. You will also be introduced to the TCP Model and you will learn about the similarities and differences between the OSI Model and the TCP Model in terms of their structure and functions.<br /><br />This course will be of interest to all learners who would like to learn more about computer networking, in particular the structure and function of LANs, and how the OSI Module allows devices on a LAN communicate with each other. It will be of great interest to all learners who are considering computer networking as a career or who are considering doing professional computer networking exams. <br />

The free online course C# Programming - Coding with Switch Statements, Collections and Events shows you in a step-by-step manner how to code in C# using decision statements, collections and event-driven programming.<br /><br />The course begins by describing the different types of decision making statements such as the switch decision statement, if...else statement, and the if...else...if statement. In C# if you have a number of constants that are logically related to each other, then you can group together these constants in what are called enumerations. You will learn how to declare enumerations using the enum keyword. <br /><br />You will learn about using the try-catch statement when handling exceptions. In C# programming when handling exceptions the key is to check for the most specific first and then the more general exceptions. In a try-catch statement the order of the catch clauses is important because the catch clauses are examined in order. You will learn how to create and manage groups of related objects using collections. You will learn about Language-Integrated Query (LINQ) and how it offers a consistent model for working with data across various kinds of data sources and formats. You will learn how to use the C# WPF application and which parameters the AddHandler statement takes.<br /><br />This free C# programming course will be of great interest to all learners who would like study a step-by-step introduction to coding using C# decision statements, filter and manage collections using the LINQ application, program events, and use Visual Studio Express for programming software applications.<br />

The free online course Data Journalism and Media Standards introduces you to the methods used by journalists in gathering and utilizing online data, as well as the use of freedom of information requests for government and public records. The use of blogs and the rise of the citizen journalist are also explored.<br /><br />The course first introduces the ever-growing set of tools, techniques, and approaches to storytelling known as data journalism. You will learn how to find data on the web, how to request it using freedom of information laws, how to use screen-scraping to gather data from unstructured sources, and use crowd-sourcing to collect datasets from readers. You will learn how to present data using techniques such as data visualization and news applications. You will also learn about mining data and learn to recognize the four main obstacles to the use of data journalism. <br /><br />Next, you will learn about the role of the free press and the standards that are in place which describe the privileges and responsibilities of a free press in a free society. The laws, statutes, and codes that determine the conduct required of news organizations are explained. The framework of a free press is also explained, such as, what rights are essential, in order for journalists to do their jobs. You will also learn about censorship and regulation of the media. You will review how government licensing in some countries both determines who may be a journalist and circumscribes the parameters of acceptable reporting and commentary leading to self-censorship and stifling of dissent and debate.<br /><br />Finally, you are introduced to the tools and resources used to hold bloggers and citizen journalists to account. You will learn how access to electronic files presents special challenges such as being over-connected which can fragment and compartmentalize public opinion. You will also learn how information that is in the public domain cannot be the basis of an invasion of privacy suit. You will also learn about how discipline, order and planning are essential for successful investigative journalism, and how your work must be solidly researched, well written and verifiable.<br /><br />This course will be of great interest to journalists and students who would like to learn how gathering and presenting data can be used as key part of the journalistic process. The course will also be of interest to learners who want an insight into the ethics and laws governing journalism, and how they apply to both professional and citizen journalists.<br />

In the free online course Sustainable Business – Managing the Triple Bottom Line learn how modern businesses are adopting sustainable business practices to become resilient over time by being connected to healthy economic, social and environmental systems.<br /><br />The course begins by introducing you to the concept of sustainability and sustainable business practices and explains why running a sustainable business is an increasingly popular and beneficial venture. Next, you will learn about the Triple Bottom Line; a business’s contribution to social justice, environmental quality, and economic prosperity. You will learn how all businesses rely on the sustainability of the world’s resources in order to succeed and thrive so it is in their long-term interest to address the Triple Bottom Line. You will learn different ways in which sustainable businesses improve their social, environmental and economic impact and how that can help the business itself and the wider community surrounding the business. <br /><br />Finally, you are introduced to the science behind sustainable businesses. You will learn about different theories that relate to economic growth and impact on business sustainability. You will learn how sustainability involves having an understanding of the relationship between business, humanity, and nature. You will also learn about the Earth’s ecosystems and the importance of healthy ecosystems to human society. You will be introduced to key resources that support the earth and why a sustainable business should consider the impact of their actions on those key resources. You will learn about different threats to ecosystems that have been caused by human activities, thus emphasising the importance of running a sustainable business. <br /><br />This free course will be of great interest to business professionals and eco-entrepreneurs who would like to learn how sustainable business practices can benefit the economic activity of the business itself and also the wider social community and ecosystems.<br />

The free online course Effective Communication Skills for Managers presents key communication techniques and strategies needed by managers in any business or organisation. The course begins by showing you in a step-by-step manner how you can successfully prepare for and engage in any difficult conversation you may be faced with in a workplace situation. You will learn about the rules of communication, the importance of non-verbal communication and how to develop effective listening skills. You will also learn how to build rapport with your colleagues so that you can start to lead the conversation. You will also learn how influence works and strengthen your own skills at influence and persuasion. You will learn how to plan and develop an effective presentation. You will learn how to overcome nervousness and deliver presentations naturally, whether you are speaking at a small team meeting or presenting to an audience of hundreds. Finally, you will learn about the key communication skills needed for successful team meetings. You will also learn about the importance of creating and distributing minutes of the meeting that accurately describe what was discussed at the meeting, and any actions that were agreed upon and whose responsibility they are. This course will be of great interest to existing junior managers or those wishing to move into the managerial level and who would like to develop effective communication skills. It will also be of interest to learners who would like to develop communication skills needed for advancement within any business or organisation.<br />

The free online course Nursing Studies - Clinical Skills: Caring for Respiratory Patients is designed to ensure that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide effective care and assistance to any patients who are experiencing respiratory difficulties that you may find in your care.<br /><br />The course begins by examining the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system. Here you will study the organs that combine to form the respiratory system. You will learn about the role that each organ plays in respiration and examine the most common factors that cause each organ to become diseased within the body. You will then study a range of physical examinations and procedures that medical personnel often use to determine whether or not a patient is in need of respiratory surgery. Finally, you will examine the duties that nurses must perform to ensure that their patients are both physically and mentally prepared for such procedures and are comfortable after they are carried out.<br /><br />The course then reviews various disorders of the respiratory system that you may encounter during your nursing career. You will examine disorders of the upper and lower respiratory systems. Here you will learn how to identify and help treat various disorders of the upper and lower respiratory systems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, emphysema and bronchitis. You will also examine the implications that these disorders can have on the care you provide to your patient.<br /><br />This free online nursing ALISON course will be of great interest to all health care professionals who would like to ensure that their skills are kept to the highest standard. The course will also be of great interest to any learner who is planning a career in the area of nursing or other areas of the health care sector.<br />

The free online course Nursing Studies - Clinical Skills: Neurological Disorders will be of great interest to any learner who wants to learn more about the function and structure of the central nervous system as well as the symptoms and treatments of the main disorders associated with it. <br /><br />The course begins by examining the function of the central nervous system (CNS). You will learn about the structure of the brain and the spinal cord which share a continuous and protective membrane cover called the meninges. You will learn about neurological assessment and how to accurately and completely evaluate the patient's vital signs, mental status, sensory function, motor function, and level of consciousness.<br /><br />The course then focuses on the various diagnostic procedures used for identifying problems, such as intracranial pressure, tumors, bleeding, and infection. Here you will learn how to identify the various signs and symptoms and to observe and record the a patient's vital signs and level of consciousness. Next you will examine the organs involved in the sensory system such as the eyes and ears which allow us to detect changes in our environment and provide the body with information necessary for homeostasis. You will also learn about these sensory organs are examined and how to administer treatments.<br /><br />Finally, you will learn about the different types of infectious neurological diseases <br />such as meningitis, encephalitis, poliomyelitis acute and Guillain-Barre syndrome. You will learn how to identify the symptoms and differing treatments for each disorder. You will also learn about cranial nerve disorders such as bells palsy, how to identify its symptoms, and make the patient aware of the signs and symptoms as well as the treatment procedures. You will gain insight into degenerative nervous system disorders such as as multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's disease, as well as the symptoms and treatments that are available.<br /><br />This free online nursing course will be of great interest great interest to all health care professionals who would like to learn more about nursing practices and assessment techniques in relation to patient care and treatment of nervous system disorders.

The free online course Nursing Studies - Clinical Skills: The Digestive System is designed to ensure that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide effective care and assistance to any patients who are experiencing gastrointestinal difficulties that you may find in your care.<br /><br />The course begins by examining the function of the digestive system. You will learn about proteins, carbohydrates and fatty acids, how they are broken down in the digestive system and provide fuel for the body's metabolism. You will then learn about the digestive system and how each part functions in order to ingest, break up and carry food so that digestion can take place. Finally, you will examine the lower digestive system, such as the intestines, pancreas and liver and how they produce enzymes and gastric juices to help in the absorption of food. <br /><br />The course then focuses on the various diagnostic procedures for identifying disorders of the gastrointestinal system such as auscultation, endoscopy, stool samples and gastric analysis. Here you will learn how to identify the various signs and symptoms which show that a patient is need of consultation with a physician. Next you will examine the steps and procedures for gastric and intestinal intubation, which is the process of passing a tube through the nose or mouth, through the esophagus, and into the stomach or intestine to obtain a specimen of stomach contents, to lavage the stomach or to allow for drainage of stomach contents. <br /><br />Finally, you will learn about the different types of gastrointestinal disorders such as gastritis, gastroenteritis, peritonitis, ulcers and intestinal obstructions. You will learn how to identify the symptoms and differing treatments for each disorder. Hepatitis and cirrhosis are also explained as well as the steps involved in the assessment and monitoring of a patient's status to aid recovery. You will also learn about diabetes, how it is caused, how to identify the symptoms, as well as emergency treatment procedures.<br /><br />This free online nursing course will be of great interest to all health care professionals who would like to learn more about good nursing practices and techniques that help protect and maintain the health and safety of both the nursing professional and patient

The free online course Essential Management Skills for the Workplace will introduce you to essential workplace skills that will help you be a more effective and successful manager. The course begins by introducing you to aspects of change management and how to implement change within a business or organisation. You will then learn about bargaining and the strategies you can use to increase your bargaining power. You will learn about the five qualities that all workplace objectives should have and how they should be SMART - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound. You will learn about assertiveness and how assertive behaviour is the emotionally intelligent mid-point on a scale which starts with passive at one end and leads to aggressive at the other. You will also learn how to reflect an inner confidence outwardly by being serious about your appearance, making eye contact with the other person, and controlling your hands, feet and facial expressions. You will learn how to prioritise tasks - Important tasks need not become urgent if they are planned and executed well. Urgent tasks often help others achieve their goals and are not necessarily important. You will learn more about the four Cs of motivation in the workplace - Contribution, Cohesion, Compensation and Comfort. You will learn about the stages of development that all teams go through, from the forming stage where team members get to know each other right through to the adjourning stage (wrapping up the task and breaking up the team). Finally, you will be introduced to virtual teams which are a group of people who work together across time and space; their links strengthened by use of electronic communication technology. You will learn about the benefits of virtual teams for both employers and employees. This course will be of great interest to existing junior managers or those wishing to move into the managerial level and who would like to develop core managerial skills. It will also be of interest to learners who would like to develop managerial skills needed for advancement within any business or organisation.