Online Learning Programs and Classes You Can Take Right Now Without Leaving the House

With the quickly-shifting workforce landscape, online learning and working is more prevalent than ever before. School is going virtual, meetings are now on platforms like Teams, Zoom and Skype, and in-person conversations have shifted to phone calls. 

Virtual living and social distancing is the new norm, but this altered way of receiving and absorbing information doesn’t mean that learning and growth has to stop.

To help you with navigating these trying times, here’s a list of resources that can provide job training, and help one learn new skills at any type of workspace. We will add to this list on an ongoing basis. 

Libraries across DC, Maryland and Virginia are shifting their services online. Here are some exciting offerings from DC Public Library to take advantage of: 

1. Virtual Story Times: Looking to occupy your children’s time while you work from home? DC Public Library has a virtual Story Time on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dclibrary/
2. Distance Learning: Tools to help your children learn what they would at school while you work: https://www.dclibrary.org/distancelearning 
3. goDigital: “Watch thousands of films, read countless eBooks, stream music, listen to audiobooks and even learn a new language or take a design course — the options are endless when you goDigital. Resources are available for readers and learners of all ages.”

The Muse is a workplace-focused website that covers a variety of topics ranging from interview skills to workplace attire. They recently launched a list of classes (https://www.themuse.com/advice/43-classes-you-can-take-right-now-to-advance-your-career-and-theyre-free by Kat Moon)
 to take online that are free. Here are some of our favorites from their website: 

1. Beginners Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Know – HowThis tutorial for beginners will teach you the fundamentals of Adobe Photoshop with easy-to-follow, practical examples. You’ll learn how to set up your work environment and perform the various editing functions that the program offers. Level: Beginner // Duration: 14 Hours / 26 Lessons
2.  Marketing in a Digital World, Coursera – Created by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, this course examines how digital tools—such as smartphones, the internet, and 3D printing—are revolutionizing the world of marketing. It’ll teach you how to use these tools to persuade customers to buy, distribute, and set the right prices for your products. Level: Beginner // Duration: 32 Hours / 24 Lessons
3. Academic and Business Writing, edX – Originally given at the University of California Berkeley, this course focuses on writing in different disciplines—in science and technology, in literature, and in the social sciences. You’ll learn to craft statements of purpose and develop a professional writing style. Level: Intermediate // Duration: 20-30 Hours / 5 Lessons
4. Secret Sauce of Great Writing, Udemy – With more than 20,000 students and over 120 five-star reviews, the “Secret Sauce” course teaches you to superpower your business writing—whether it’s for cover letters, press releases, or sales emails—and make your blogs appear a thousand times more professional. This course is meant for professionals hoping to upgrade their writing skills, as well as businesses hoping to improve their corporate communications.Level: Beginner // Duration: 2 Hours / 10 Lessons

Google not only is a great resource for searching for free training websites, they offer courses too!  Grow with Google offers free training, tools, and resources to help you grow your skills, career, or business. https://grow.google/. They have also gathered a list of resources to use while you work from home. https://grow.google/remotework/

By the minute, the collection of online resources is multiplying, and with this extra time at home, it’s more important now than ever before to keep one’s skill set polished.

The future of the economy is constantly evolving as we navigate COVID-19, and it’s integral to keep strengthening one’s abilities in order to prepare for what the future reveals.