Online courses directory (801)

While many people may have already been trained in generic concepts of RBM and M&amp;E systems, applying the theory in practical ways is often a challenge. Many staff also struggle with the very real problem of how to transform the several sheets of paper that contain a programme’s results framework and indicators into a well-functioning system of data collection, analysis, interpretation, reporting and learning. Systematic and robust monitoring and evaluation depends on coherent programme design. Programmes which are coherent are those which have sound internal logic. It also articulates what changes the programme intends to achieve and how it expects to do so. Sound M&amp;E systems are critical for helping organizations understand to what extent they have achieved what they intended to achieve. Specifically, the course will explore some of the foundations for designing and implementing robust monitoring and evaluation systems. This includes the ten step of establishing a monitoring and evaluation system, including the approach of results based management. It will also explore topics such as defining results, developing and selecting key performance indicators, how to collect data and information, grouping indicators and developing output monitoring tools. <br />

Developing a successful business model is something that takes skill and considerable business acumen and cannot be achieved overnight. Entrepreneurs have to take into account resources, onsite expertise, and importantly, drive and diligence of both management and employees. In this free online business course, you will get an insight into the business model used in SlideShare, a digital media company based in Silicon Valley. Jonathan Boutelle and Rashmi Sinha from SlideShare discuss the learning curve that was needed in order for them to implement their strategies and achieve their goals so that their business model became a success. They also discuss how they managed the business growth process as well as the execution of their tasks. You will learn from these successful entrepreneurs about their experiences, what they learned about creating their business model, and how they dealt with the steep learning curve presented to them. This course will be of great interest to business professionals and budding entrepreneurs looking for advice and guidance on the strategies and goals needed to create a successful business.<br />

eBay is now a household name as during the past decade it has become the world’s leading online marketplace. eBay allows anyone sit in their living room and buy and sell for their pleasure or as a business. In this free online course we get an insight into the workings of how eBay was born as a company, how they managed the creative processes as well as their marketing strategies. Along with eBay there is also a discussion about PayPal, created by the team at eBay to function as their payment scheme for customers but which is now the world’s leading online payments company. The course also reviews their acquisitions projects, the successes and failures experienced by the company, potential growth sectors and the future of eBay and PayPal. This course will be of great interest to all business and marketing professionals, and budding entrepreneurs who would like learn how a world-class company like eBay grew and prospered.<br />

Marissa Mayer has led product management efforts at Google as Google's Vice President of Search Products &amp; User Experience products. Her responsibilities cover such products as Google Search, Gmail, Google Chrome and Google Labs. She believes that ideas for new products can come from every employee and department within an organisation, and also from end users of the product or service. In this free online course, Marissa explains how Google’s open culture and flat management of the organisation encourages creativity and brilliant ideas. She explains how Google sets asides 20 per cent of each employee’s time for creative projects and how this has proved to be a massive success. You will learn that Google do not make their product decisions on company politics but on data and facts. She explains how their focus on users and the software tools that keep users returning to Google has been at the centre of their success. This course will be of great interest to business and IT professionals who want to learn more about Google's success and business practices that created this success.<br />

In this free Alison course DevOps - Application Lifecycle Management you will explore what Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) means for project management and quality assurance in terms of value, quality, and speed. <br /><br />The course begins by introducing you to ALM and how it can cover a lot of different software development processes. You will become aware of rules associated with ALM and you are encouraged to take a broad view of your world to understand what you’re trying to accomplish. You will learn about DevOps CALMS and be able to distinguish between each aspect of CALMS. This course will show you how DevOps can help your company to thrive in many ways such as accelerating delivery, allowing experimentation and optimizing resources.<br /><br />Next, the course will introduce you to continuous delivery. You will learn about the seven principles of continuous delivery and also the benefits of implementing continuous delivery. This course will also review aspects of quality, with a focus on practices, principles, and quality gates. <br /><br />You will get a look at some of the best tools in the marketplace, backed up with the core techniques and philosophies that make high-quality code a natural outgrowth of solid software development. You will also learn about end-to-end visibility and transparency and get to know the importance of integrated data. Finally, this course will allow you to see the power of TFS as an end-to-end ALM platform.<br /><br />This course will be of great interest to professionals working in software development and who would like to learn more about application lifecycle management and its role in delivering hihg quality software products.<br /><br />

This intermediate math course continues our free online maths suite of courses. It covers rules and applications of differentiation, straight line graphs, graphing circular functions, logs and indices, the Binomial theorem, inverse functions, and factors of polynomials. This course is ideal for second-level students, anyone studying for an exam, and those interested in re-igniting their knowledge of mathematics!<br />

Modern society across the world is becoming increasingly dependent on communication networks. We depend on them for the smooth operation of economic and social activities. This course examines networks as the means of interconnecting devices so that two-way communication is possible. It examines protocols like HTTP, TCP/IP and ATM as well as the OSI reference model, and provides an overview of the topic for learners who have no significant prior knowledge of the subject. The main topics covered in this course are: Internet protocol (IP), the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), Hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). Areas that are also covered include the layers of communication, vertical and horizontal communication, protocol architecture, Domain name system, the ATM layers, and an analysis of IP over ATM. This course will be of interest to professionals who work in information technology, network design, and network management, and will also be of interest to students who would like a greater understanding of how networks function.<br />

Digital photography technology is continually changing, however, the principles behind good photography don't. ALISON's free online photo course gives you the opportunity to gain extensive knowledge and understanding of digital photography including topics such as exposure settings, how to read and use the histogram, how light affects a photograph, how the camera sensor and lenses work, and how to process a photograph using computer software. You will also learn tips and techniques on what not to do when taking a photograph. <br /><br />ALISON's free online course is ideal for those who wish to increase their understanding of digital photography and want to know how to process and produce photographs digitally.<br />

This free certificate in accounting course looks in-depth at the transactions, processes and controls used to record typical transactions in a business. <br /><br />In sales, you will learn how to handle returns, discount and freight charges as well as working out the cost of goods sold. In inventory, you will see the two different methods of counting inventory, periodic and perpetual, as well as the different methods of calculating value of the inventory and the associated journal transactions to record the necessary adjustments. <br /><br />To help manage the cash assets within a company, the different controls and best practices are outlined with examples of documents and processes given for both checking accounts and petty cash. Samples of adjusting journals are given and the importance and use of the quick ratio are explained. This is followed with details on how to manage the accounts receivables, from calculating the provision for uncollectable accounts to the use of aged analysis. Similarly in accounts payable you will see how to make provision for both the known and unknown liabilities as well as how to use payable notes as for of short term finance. <br /><br />This free diploma of accounting course will be of great interest to entrepreneurs and business professionals who would like to better understand the transactions and controls used in business, and to any learner who is interested in accounting as a future career.<br />

Good accounting practices and procedures are needed in every business and organization. Details of trading transactions need to be accurately recorded so that you know what your financial situation is at any time.<br /><br />In ALISON's free online accounting diploma course, you will learn about the core practices involved in recording various details, from understanding debits and credits and using simple T-accounts to closing out the accounts at the end of an accounting period, producing the statement of retained earnings and balance sheet. Detailed examples are worked through on a transaction-by-transaction basis, helping you understand how and why each step is necessary. <br /><br />After reviewing day-to-day accounting procedures, you are introduced to the more formal theory of accounting, the assumptions, principles and modifying conventions, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) conceptual framework and the main objectives of financial reporting. <br /><br />ALISON's free online accounting course will be of great interest to entrepreneurs and business professionals who would like to get a thorough introduction to accounting practices and theory, and to any learner who is interested in accounting as a future career.<br />

This free online course Diploma in Alternative Dispute Resolution offers you a comprehensive review of dispute resolution, and covers topics such as common causes of conflict and how to overcome them, negotiation skills, and a guide to alternative dispute resolution practices and procedures.<br /><br />Conflict is not always negative and it is important to acknowledge that some conflict can lead to productivity. You will learn about conflict-handling styles that can help you to overcome disputes that arise in your work and personal life and about the optimum level of conflict necessary for high performance. You will also learn tips for negotiation success, the five stages of negotiation, and how you can effectively negotiate with people from different cultures without insulting cultural traditions. <br /><br />There are many ways to overcome disputes and you will learn about alternative dispute resolution (ADR) as a method of conflict resolution. You will learn about ADR practitioners, the most common methods of ADR, and background conditions that are necessary for a successful ADR program. You will also examine case studies to get a full understanding of how ADR programs can be catered to different situations. <br /><br />This free course will be of great interest to all professionals who are working in both the public and private sectors, and who are involved in conflict analysis, and management and resolution processes. It will also be of interest to learners who want to study mediation and other non-adversarial dispute and conflict resolution processes. <br />

The free online course Diploma in Applied Operations Management introduces learners to the practical applications of the theories and concepts that underpin operations management. The course begins by showing learners why virtually all operations management decisions are based on a forecast of the future. Forecasts drive strategic operations decisions, such as choice of competitive priorities, changes in processes, and large technology purchases. Forecast decisions also serve as the basis for tactical planning and developing worker schedules. The course describes why forecasting is critical to the management of all functional areas within an organization and you will learn about forecasting methods such as time series forecasting. These forecasting methods are explained in detail with worked examples throughout. Aggregate planning allows management to quantify materials and other resources that are to be procured so that the total cost of operations are kept to the minimum over a set period of time. You will be introduced to aggregate planning methodologies such as the tabular method and linear programming. The course also introduces the linear programming technique and a special type of linear programming known as the Transportation Model, which can be used to obtain aggregate plans that would allow balanced capacity and demand and the minimization of costs. Line balancing is used to minimize idle time and remove potential bottlenecks within a process. The course introduces the concept of line balancing and explains terminology associated with it, such as tasks, task precedence, task times and cycle time. You will learn about heuristics for working out line balancing problems in lean production, such as the shortest processing time and the longest path in the network. You will also learn about quantitative methods, such as the p-median model, which is used to model many real world situations, such as the location of public or industrial facilities, warehouses and other facilities. Inventory models help firms determine the order quantity that minimizes the total inventory holding costs and ordering costs, as well as the frequency of ordering, to keep goods or services flowing to the customer without interruption or delay. Several models are available to help determine how much inventory should be brought in to restock the products or parts, and you will be introduced to inventory models such as the single period inventory model, the multi-period inventory model and the economic order quantity (EOQ) model. These models are explained in detail using worked examples. This free online course will be of great interest to all learners who have certified in ALISON's Diploma in Operations Management as it introduces practical applications of operations management. It will also be of great interest to all professionals working in the areas operations management or general management who would like to learn more about the practical applications of operations management. The course will also be of interest to all learners who are interested in operations management as a future career.

The free online course Diploma in Applied Psychology - Consumer Behavior introduces the psychological processes behind the behavior of consumers and how they make their decisions. This course begins by reviewing the nature and scope of consumer behavior, and how it evolved from other disciplines such as psychology and sociology into its own distinct field of study. You will learn about the application of consumer behavior and how studying it helps marketers formulate appropriate marketing strategies for consumers and their environment. The course then describes in detail both General Models and Specific Models of consumer behavior which attempt to explain how and why consumers behave as they do, and what factors may impact the buying decision process. The course then introduces you to the nature and functions of attitudes in general and how researchers have described four structural models of attitudes. You will also learn how attitudes are formed and what factors influence attitudes enough to change them. You will learn about the two main theories that have been developed to explain how and why attitudes change, and you will learn how marketers can use this information to design marketing strategies that positively influence consumers' attitudes. Finally, the course introduces you to the nature of personality in general and you will learn about the differences between personality types and personality traits. You will also review aspects of self-concept and self-image and see how these help shape each consumer's personality. The course introduces theories of personality developed by psychologists and you'll learn how marketers can adapt these theories during the design, development and implementation of marketing strategies. This free online Diploma course will be of great interest to marketers and business professionals working in the area of consumer marketing who would like to learn more about the psychology of consumer behavior.<br />

In this free online Diploma in Basic Chinese Language Studies course you will learn the basics of written and spoken Mandarin Chinese. Modern China is playing an increasingly influential role in the world's political, financial and economic spheres, and with Mandarin Chinese being spoken by over one billion people within China and the Chinese diaspora it makes learning Chinese, even the basics, increasingly important. The course starts with a brief overview of the language, its dialects and a brief look at pronunciation through the use of Pinyin. You will also learn about the formation of the written Chinese characters and the formation of words. For learners whose native languages use the Roman or Latin alphabets it is critical that you become familiar with Pinyin which is used to transcribe Chinese sounds into the Roman or Latin alphabets you are accustomed to. You will learn how to greet people and introduce yourself, say what you do and where you are from. You will also learn how to talk about your family and friends as well as you hobbies and interests. Practicalities such as using public transport and asking directions are covered along with ordering food in a café or restaurant, asking for information when shopping and checking into and out of a hotel. Words and phrases are presented via audio, Chinese script, Pinyin and English to facilitate learning. The content is also broken down into key terms and vocabulary. The video clips are accompanied by a transcript and translation with key cultural and grammatical points being highlighted and explained. This free online Diploma in Basic Chinese Language Studies course will be of great interest to anybody wanting to travel to China, either as a tourist or in a professional capacity, business people who have regular contact with Chinese colleagues and for any learner who has an interest in speaking or reading Chinese.<br />

This free online Diploma in Basic English for Business and Tourism course is ideal for business, tourism and hospitality students who wish to advance to an intermediate level of English with a focus on the travel and hospitality industries. Business English language skills are in great demand around the world as more and more businesses and organisations conduct their international business operations through the medium of the English language. English is also essential for people working in the tourism industry. In this free online Diploma in Basic English for Business and Tourism course you will be introduced to conversational vocabulary and dialogues that will help you learn English language skills in the areas of business and travel. You will listen to dialogues about job interviews and how to ask and answer interview questions in English. You will also learn important and useful vocabulary when making business telephone calls. You will learn about the importance of small talk when initiating and forming business relationships and how to differentiate between colloquial and formal English. You will also learn how to reserve a hotel room, book a table in a restaurant and use different modes of transport when travelling. This course introduces the English vocabulary necessary for working at a hotel reception or front desk. It explains how to communicate with potential customers during enquiries as well as how to reserve rooms for hotel guests. This course details the English necessary for working in restaurants in tourist areas or hotels. It explains how to take customer orders and provides key English expressions for every stage of restaurant service. This course details the English necessary for working in tourist information offices including how to provide directions, understand guidebooks and write press releases. The English needed for conducting guided tours is also defined. This free online course will be of great interest to all learners who would like to develop a career path in the tourism and hospitality industries.<br />

Proper grammar is essential to communicating well in English. ALISON's free online English diploma course introduces the fundamental aspects of English grammar and explains how they should be applied in written and spoken English.<br /><br />The first section of this course explains the role of grammar in English. Following this, the importance of punctuation is described. The online English grammar course also explains the different parts of speech and the role they play in English sentences. Finally, the course introduces all of the tenses used in the English language through well-produced videos.<br /><br />This free online English grammar course is ideal for English language students who wish to complement their vocabulary and phrases with a greater understanding of grammar. It is also suitable for native English speakers who want to revise their grammar or learn to communicate more effectively.<br />

In this free online Diploma in Basic German Language Studies course you will learn the basics of conversational German so that you will have the confidence to talk to and listen to native German speakers in a wide variety of situations. With 120 million German speakers in over 20 countries this course lays down the foundations of the spoken language by introducing learners to the pronunciation of words and the use of phrases and sentences through text and audio. The course begins by introducing you to the alphabet, numbers and words and the basics of conversation covering hello, goodbye and introductions. Audio segments will let you hear the sound of each letter in German, as well as how the various letters are pronounced in words. You will then learn the German words and phrases for telling the time and dates. You will also be introduced to nationalities, how to tell someone where you are from and ask where they are from. You will then learn German words and phrases that will help you order drinks and snacks at a cafe, how to reserve a table at a restaurant, how to order food and ask for and pay the bill. Next, the course introduces you to key words and phrases that allow you describe your family and talk about members of your family. The course then tells you how to describe your profession, where you work and aspects of your job. You will learn key words and phrases for shopping for day to day basics like bread, cheese, fruit and vegetables. When buying clothes you will learn how to ask for recommendations or assistance in a shop, and ask for an item of clothing by colour. If you are ill you will learn how to describe your symptoms to a pharmacist and request medicine. The remaining modules address leisure time such as sporting activities, going to the theater, and making plans for the weekend. You will also learn how to book a hotel or hostel, check in when you arrive, report any problems with your room, make inquires about activities, ask for information and directions as well as talk about your holidays to other people. This free online Diploma in Basic German Language Studies course will be of great interest to anybody wanting to travel to Germany, either as a tourist or in a professional capacity, business people who have regular contact with German colleagues and for any learner who has an interest in speaking or reading German.<br />

The free online course Diploma in Building an Online Business provides a broad overview of how you can build a successful online business using web and internet technology. It also highlights the benefits, opportunities and challenges associated with conducting business online. <br /><br />The course begins by introducing you to the concept of e-business, its categories and benefits. You will learn how to assess if a business is ready to start conducting e-business and you will learn about issues that need to be addressed when conducting e-business. You will also learn about services you can use to help your business and the steps involved in creating a web presence. You will learn about the different benefits of online marketing for your business. <br /><br />Next, you will be given an overview of e-commerce and its categories. You will learn where e-commerce can be applied and the different benefits that come from purchasing and selling online. You will also learn about what you need to consider before integrating e-commerce into your business. You will learn about different features and issues associated with selling products and services online, and about options to consider when you have decided to sell online.<br /><br />Next, you will learn about the variety of issues that need to be addressed once a company has decided to conduct e-business. You will be introduced to a range of services that are available for businesses in order to deal with these issues and conduct e-business successfully. You will learn the importance of creating a web presence for your business and the steps and options involved in doing so. You will learn about different types of e-commerce solutions, websites and popular e-commerce trends. <br /><br />The course continues by teaching you about the different elements of a dynamic website and how to plan for creating a dynamic website. You will learn about different areas that need to be considered when creating a website for your business. You will learn about different types of social media and how a business should engage with social media. You will learn the different ways for preparing and sharing social media content. You will learn how to measure social media engagement using popular social media platforms.<br /><br />Finally, you will be introduced to the process of social media advertising and the rules you should follow for successful social advertising. You will learn about social advertising platforms and what they can offer your business. You will learn about using online display advertising for any ad campaigns your business may have. You will learn about different approaches to online display advertising that you can choose from to suit your business’s needs. You will be introduced to the process of search engine optimization which involves optimizing your website to ensure relevant visitors find it. You will learn how to use search engine optimization effectively with your website. You will also learn pitfalls and barriers that are involved with search engine optimization. <br /><br />This free Diploma in Building an Online Business will be of great interest to business professionals in small-to-medium enterprises, entrepreneurs and anyone who wants to build a successful online business in the modern digital world. <br /><br />

ALISON's free online Diploma in Business and Legal Studies course covers key topics in business and law such as corporate management, human resources, operations management, accounting, types of law, how laws are created, the adversary system, and legal procedures. <br /><br />This business online course offered by ALISON is ideal for those who want to gain comprehensive knowledge and understanding of business and legal systems. Having this knowledge will greatly improve your career prospects.<br />

The free online course Diploma in Business Communication Skills will help you develop effective communication skills for the workplace, from enhancing your professional writing techniques to improving your interpersonal and presentation skills. Good communication skills are an important element for a business or organisation to function effectively, and for the development of good relationships between work colleagues within a business and with clients and customers outside a business. The course first introduces the principles of written communication. You will learn that preparation is key for successful writing and will allow you express your thoughts in a clear, concise and efficient manner. You will learn about writing styles, how to use a planning checklist for business writing, and which writing style is most appropriate for business communication. Next, the course covers the key communication skills needed for successful team meetings. You will learn about the importance of the purpose statement and agenda for the meeting. The course also covers the communication skills needed to manage a meeting once it is in progress. You will learn how to transition from one topic to the next, how to help team members contribute positively at the meeting and how to bring the meeting to a successful conclusion. The course then shows you how to plan and develop effective presentations. You will learn how to assess the expectations of your audience and engage with them effectively. You will also learn how to overcome nervousness and become more confident when speaking in public. Finally, the course introduces you to the concept of cross-cultural communication and its importance in the modern globalized workplace. It then describes strategies for identifying both similar and divergent cultural characteristics across different cultures, and why they play an important role in effective cross-cultural communication. This free Diploma course will be of great interest to all business professionals who want to improve their communication skills, and to any learner who is about to enter the world of business and wants to develop an engaging and responsive communication style.<br />