Online courses directory (801)

For teachers and trainers to fulfil their instructional role most effectively, their teaching methods must be grounded in educational learning theory. Understanding the learning process is a key element of educational learning theory and provides a framework for teachers and trainers to plan, create and deliver effective lessons, and assess each student's learning. In this free online education course, you will be introduced to the learning process. The course begins by differentiating between teaching and learning, and by describing teachers’ and trainers’ perspectives on learning. The course provides details about two major learning theories: behaviourism and constructivism. Within the section on Behaviourism, operant conditioning and its implications for teaching are examined in detail. The section on Constructivism compares and contrasts two subtypes of constructivism: psychological constructivism and social constructivism. Finally, the implications of constructivism for teaching are discussed using two practical strategies. This free online education course will be of great interest to professionals in the education sector who would like a greater knowledge and understanding of the learning process that will enhance their teaching and training, and to all students who are interested in the process of how we learn.<br />

Introduction to Time Management is a free online course that will guide you on how to effectively and efficiently manage your time. Many people feel overwhelmed by the all the demands, distractions and interruptions of the working day, so time management is a very important skill to have in the modern workplace. This free online course will offer some suggestions for keeping the tide of external demands at bay and help you to develop a truly efficient routine and rhythm to your working day. Topics covered included the benefits of being organised, how to prioritise work and the importance of being in the right state of mind. This course offers the learner principles and suggestions to try out and which can be adapted to fit the circumstances of each individual. This free online course will be of great interest to all professionals and workers who feel that better time management skills will help them manage their working day more efficiently and effectively, and help them become more productive.<br />

In the free online course Introduction to Transact-SQL you will learn about querying a database using Transact-SQL. This course introduce you to constructing queries using the select statement. You will learn to refine your select statements search with various clauses that can be applied to the select statement. This also includes sorting and filtering queries and the method used to do so, along with combining data from different sources within the database.<br /><br />The course begins by introducing you to what SQL and Transact-SQL. You will learn about the select statement for creating queries and the clauses you can apply to the select statement. You will learn about the various data types that a database can hold, as well as working with NULL values in your database.<br /><br />Next, you will learn further ways of refining your select statement results by removing duplicates and sorting query results. You then learn about using predicates to further refine your query to filter out results you don’t need. This course also teaches you query multiple tables using joins and different types of joins. You will also learn about combining queries using the Intersect and Except queries.<br /><br />In the end, you will be introduced to Functions and aggregating data. You will learn about scalar functions and their tasks. You will learn about logical functions and how they work. You will also learn about window functions and aggregate functions and applying them to your queries. This course teaches you filtering using the group by subclause and Having clause.<br /><br />This course will be of great interest to anyone who wishes to learn about querying a database or would like to learn Microsoft variation of SQL, Transact-SQL.<br />

Many people would like to know how to go about valuing stocks and shares and investing in the stock market but the terminology and concepts can be confusing and intimidating. This free online course is an introduction to valuation and investing and aims to take the fear-factor out of stocks and shares by explaining the concepts behind valuing and investing in a clear and simple manner. The course covers concepts such as Income Statements, Return On Assets (ROA), Return On Equity (ROE), Price-to-Earnings ratio, depreciation, amortization and many others. This course will be of great interest to business and finance professionals who would like to learn more about, or refresh their knowledge of, valuing and investing in stocks and shares, and to learners who would like to know more about the concepts and strategies behind investing. Please note that while this free course will teach you about making investments in stocks and shares in general, it does not advocate that you should buy stocks and shares or invest in the stock market, and that any investment made in the stock market may lose money. <br />

Venture capital firms play an important role in the financial services industry, yet not much is known about them by the average lay person. The venture capital market is made up of private equity firms and venture capitalism is a means of investing capital and helping new business start-ups. In this free online course on venture capital, we get an insight into how a company starts off based on available funds, and how they subsequently raise more funds as the company grows so that investments can be made in operations and other areas. Topics discussed include what shares are, how shares are valued, equity versus debt, and types of organisational structures. This free course also examines the difference between bankruptcy and liquidation, if a business should fail. This course will be of interest to business professionals and entrepreneurs who would like to learn more about the venture capital market and how it invests in and helps business start-ups and more established businesses grow and expand. <br />

This free online course Introduction to Visual Basic will present you with the skills and knowledge allowing you to successfully write code using the visual basics program. The course begins by introducing you to Visual Studio and takes a step-by-step approach to ensure you create your first visual basic program with ease.<br /><br />You will learn about the correct way to install visual basic to get the most out of your program. You will also learn about the key features of visual basics that you will use to create functioning applications.<br /><br />The course will then present you with information to help you begin writing your code. You will study about code files, solutions, data types, variables, and other functions of visual basics that are necessary to know in order to successfully create an application for your end users. The course will complete by informing you about the If, Then, and Else statements, and how each statement can be used in your code to create different functions for the end user.<br /><br />This Alison course is video-based which will be beneficial to you in order for you to see first-hand how visual basic works and how to write your own code. <br />

The free online course Inventory Management - Using Inventory Models is the fourth in the Applied Operations Management series of courses. Inventory models help businesses answer the questions: How much material to order? When to order the material? They 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. The course begins by introducing the basics of inventory management and introduces concepts such as deterministic demand and probabilistic demand, type of costs such as cost of item, order cost, and holding or carrying cost. 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 course will be of great interest to professionals working in the area of inventory management, procurement and operations management and who would like to learn more about using inventory models. The course will also be of interest to learners who are interested in a career in procurement or operations management. <br />

<p>This free online course on iPhone App Development will be of great interest to professionals who develop applications for mobile phones, and the iPhone in particular, and to students who want greater knowledge and understanding about iPhone app development. </p><br /> <p>Apple iPhones are one of the most popular smartphones on the market today, with thousands of iPhone apps being downloaded every day. </p><br /> <p>Through a series of video lectures, you will learn about iPhone app development including the Objective-C programming language and how it is used to program iPhone apps; the features of the Mac OS X such as the Core OS level, Core Services level, Media level and Cocoa Touch level. </p><br /> <p>You will also learn about programming for single touch and multi-touch functionality and how to develop iPhone apps that use the built-in accelerometer. </p><br /> <p>Many people make a lot of money from developing high quality apps for the iPhone. Study this course and you could perhaps join this elite group! </p>

Information Systems are critical components in every business and organisation, and managers have a fundamental role in the initiation, design and implementation of a new Information System. Information Technology has a crucial role to play in modern corporate Information Systems. In this free online course the learner is introduced to the stages of Information Systems design. The learner will see how the manager’s role is fundamental to the success of the early stages of systems design, and how the user must have maximum impact during these stages. The learner will also be introduced to the various tools available to aid in Information Systems design. There are various costs and benefits associated with the lifecycle of Information Systems, and various ways in which the organization may be impacted, and this course will address those issues. This free course will be of great interest to professionals in the areas of business management, IT and Information Systems management who would like to learn more about designing Information Systems and the costs and the challenges faced by managers when implementing a new Information System.<br />

Computers and software are an integral part of the modern business organization. A successful manager will be expected to make informed decisions on the type of systems and software that will be used in the organization and to aid the organization in achieving its goals. Databases and Database Management Systems are a key type of software in a corporate information system. It is likely that a manager will encounter the use and management of database systems regularly. This free online course introduces the learner to the software and databases technology used in modern organizations. The course outlines the development of business software applications and introduces the use of Database Management Systems (DBMSs). The course outlines the various options that are available to the manager of a modern organization. This course will be of great interest to management professionals who would like a better understanding of the roles that software and database technologies play in a corporate organization. It will also be of interest to learners who would like to gain an understanding of how software and computer systems operate.<br />

iTunes is a very popular digital media player application that you can use to connect to Apple's iTunes Store on the Web. This free online course shows you how to use iTunes to search for and download your favorite podcasts from the iTunes Store. Using iTunes you can download podcasts on any subject you are interested in. This course is ideal for learners who would like to use iTunes but do not have the skills or knowledge of how to download podcasts. <br />

The free online course JavaScript - Working with the Document Object Model and jQuery Plugins introduces you to the concept of the Document Object Model and how you can add greater functionality to your web pages using jQuery plugins. When a web page is loaded, the browser creates a Document Object Model (DOM) of the page. The HTML DOM model is constructed as a tree of objects and JavaScript can interact with elements in the DOM to add much greater functionality and interactivity to web pages. For example, you will learn how JavaScript can change all the HTML elements in the page, change all the HTML attributes in the page, change all the CSS styles in the page, remove existing HTML elements and attributes, add new HTML elements and attributes, react to all existing HTML events in the page and create new HTML events in the page. You will also learn about jQuery which is the most popular JavaScript library in use today. You will learn how jQuery's syntax is designed to make it easier to navigate a document, select DOM elements, create animations, handle events, and develop Ajax applications. You will learn about jQuery plug-ins which are available on the Web and cover a range of functions such as drag and drop, dynamic lists, events and many others. You will learn how to link your web pages to a jQuery plugin to add even more functionality to your web pages. This free course will be of great interest to all web developers who would like to learn more about using JavaScript to work with the DOM and jQuery plugins to enhance the functionality and interactivity of web pages. <br />

<p>If you wish to explore the world of JavaScript and jQuery, this free online course from ALISON is for you. </p><br /> <p>jQuery has become perhaps the most popular tool in use today for the design and implementation of JavaScript in web pages, and this course will introduce you to the basics of this dynamic cross-browser library. </p><br /> <p>You will be guided through the fundamentals of JavaScript syntax as well as jQuery basics such as selecting and manipulating elements, assigning attributes, traversing tools, and CSS/Styling. </p> <br /> <p>Subsequent modules will delve deeper into advanced concepts such as jQuery core, events and effects, plugins, performance best practices, and managing dependencies. </p>

The free online course JavaScript Application Programming will introduce you in a step-by-step manner to JavaScript programming concepts and functionality. JavaScript was created by Brendan Eich in 1995, became an ECMA standard in 1997 and is now one the three main languages all web developers must learn: HTML5 is used to define the content of web pages, CSS3 is used to specify the layout and style of web pages, and JavaScript is used program the behavior of web pages. The course begins by introducing JavaScript variables, and programming concepts such as declaring variables using the var key word and naming JavaScript variables using identifiers. You will learn about HTML events such as onclick and how JavaScript methods can be used to work with events. You will learn about the different types of conditional statements, their correct syntax and examples of their use. You will learn about JavaScript functions which are blocks of code designed to perform a particular task, and how to write the correct syntax for functions. You will learn about the different types of JavaScript loops (for, for/in, while and do/while loops) and their correct syntax. You will learn about JavaScript arrays which are objects used to store multiple values in a single variable. You will also learn about the different types of 'falsy' values and 'truthy' values. Finally, you will learn about the main types of errors in JavaScript code and how to minimize these errors. This course will be of great interest to all learners who would like to learn about JavaScript coding techniques to enhance both the interactivity and functionality of their web pages.<br />

JING is a very easy to use screen capture application available from TechSmith. This free online course describes how to use JING in an educational and training setting. The course describes how to download and install JING, how to create a recording of your computer screen along with audio, and what you can do with the screen capture videos. This course is ideal for anyone who wants to learn more about using JING in the area of education and training.<br />

Job Search Skills - Preparing Your Résumé and Cover Letter is a free online course which is designed for anyone who wants to undertake a job application campaign to successfully acquire a new job. The course breaks down the job application process, so you can ensure that you can identify and apply for your ideal job. This course describes ways of identifying your ideal job target by focusing on a specific industry, function, and geography to ensure that the job will suit your personal requirements. This course also describes the importance of having a well written résumé and cover letter to demonstrate to any potential employer that you are the best candidate for the position. This course will be of great interest to anyone who is actively looking for employment and those who are already in employment but are considering applying for a new position.<br />

The free online course Journalism and Print Media introduces you to the editorial and journalistic practices used in gathering and publishing news articles for print media.<br /><br />The course begins by introducing the history and development of print media with a focus on newspapers and their impact as mass media. You will learn about the different factors affecting newspaper circulation and profitability, and how modern media organizations are combating this with newspaper ownership chains and Joint Operating Agreements (JOAs). You will learn how a decline in readership can be traced to competition with blogs and online newspapers. The course also describes different journalism styles such as objective journalism, interpretive journalism, and literary journalism, and how they influence reporting styles.<br /><br />Next, you will learn about the different magazine types and the developmental history of the magazine industry. You will learn about the specialization of different magazine publications, how they target certain population demographics and how they influence popular trends and culture. Also covered is the way magazine publications dictate not only which articles and stories get published but also how they are presented. <br /><br />Finally, you are introduced to the role editors play in the print media industry, the different types of editor and their function in the newsroom. You will learn about editorial manipulation and its impact on the functioning of a fair and just society. You will learn about editorial bias which is the suppression or distortion of important facts, and how it should be fought by media organizations through a process of checks and balances. The function of producers and sub-editors in the newsroom is also explored.<br /><br />This course will be of great interest to journalists and publishing professionals who want to develop their understanding of the print media industry and how they can develop the skills needed to research, prepare and publish news articles.<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 />

This course is for students interested in studying the Project Maths Junior Certificate Higher Level Course in its entirety. This free online course provides students with tutorial videos on all the higher level topics in one location listed by module and topic. In addition, a comprehensive assessment is provided which tests learners on the entire content of the Project Maths Higher Level Syllabus. These topics include Probability and Statistics, Geometry and Trigonometry, Numbers and Shapes and Algebra.<br />

This course is for students interested in studying the Project Maths Junior Certificate Ordinary Level Course in its entirety. This free online course provides students with tutorial videos on all the ordinary level topics in one location listed by module and topic. In addition, a comprehensive assessment is provided which tests learners on the entire content of the Project Maths Ordinary Level Syllabus. These topics include Probability and Statistics, Geometry and Trigonometry, Numbers and Shapes and Algebra.<br />