One thing Covid-19 has taught us is that successfully studying at home is possible. These days, online courses have become a recognised and often preferred alternative to the traditional classroom model. It allows for anyone - regardless of their location – to study at their preferred institution, often at a fraction of the cost.
According to an article by Florida National University, distance learning is nothing new. It can be argued that it began in the 1700s while others disagree saying that the beginning of distance learning was in 1840, when an English educator, Sir Isaac Pitman, taught shorthand by mail. Pitman would mail text on postcards to students, who would then mail their assignments back to him.
While schools and universities in South Africa have started reopening, some students aren’t ready to go back yet. E-learning may not be for everyone, but with the educational resources at our disposal, higher learning is just a few clicks away.
Before we start, this is what you’ll need:
- A steady internet connection
- A computer
- Stationary (pens and paper to take notes)
We’d like to help you find your next academic adventure. We searched for online institutions that offer free online courses that South African students can complete at home and listed them below.
Digital Transformation and the IT Team
- Institution: WitsX
- Cost: Free
- Length: 5 Weeks
- Subject: Business & Management
- Description: This course will provide you with conceptual models for understanding, and engaging with, digital transformation processes.
- Learn more:https://courses.edx.org/courses/course-v1:WitsX+DTx+2T2019/course/
Virtual Team Building and Management
- Institution: DQS TRAINING ACADEMY
- Cost: FREE OF CHARGE during COVID-19 Pandemic
- Length: 2 hours
- Subject: Team Building
- Description: Virtual teams are growing in popularity since many companies continue to grow and expand in different areas. But sometimes learning to manage a team that we can’t physically see every day can be difficult. When we learn how to manage our local teams, as well as our virtual teams, we can form a group that works together to increase productivity and provides a new perspective on any project.
- Learn more:https://dqsacademy.co.za/product/x-pert-soft-skills-virtual-team-building-and-management%e2%80%8b/bjw84tp
Telework and Telecommuting
- Institution: DQS TRAINING ACADEMY
- Cost: FREE OF CHARGE during COVID-19 Pandemic
- Length: 2 Hours
- Subject: Telecommunication
- Description: For some people, working from home can seem like a dream opportunity. But they may not realise that this kind of position comes with great responsibility and its own challenges. Since these employees are not working in a centralised office, they may have the advantage of having flexible schedules and shorter or no commute, but there may be disadvantages when it comes to receiving feedback and being able to communicate with teammates. This course will teach students to do that and more.
- Learn more: https://dqsacademy.co.za/product/x-pert-soft-skills-telework-and-telecommuting%e2%80%8b/
Mental Health Studies - Suicide, Violent Behaviour and Substance Abuse
- Subject: Mental Health
- Institution: Alison
- Cost: Free
- Length: 3-4 Hours
- Description: With self-harm and debilitating mental health problems increasing globally, mental health has become an increasingly important concern of healthcare systems around the world. This course will guide you through some important knowledge that can help alleviate actions and habits that might be endangering one's health.
- Learn more: https://alison.com/course/mental-health-studies-suicide-violent-behavior-and-substance-abuse-revised
Stress Management - Dealing with Personal Stress
- Institution: Alison
- Cost: Free
- Length: 2-3 Hours
- Subject: Stress Management
- Description: Learn some great techniques for dealing with personal stress and anxiety with this free online mental health course.
- Learn more: https://alison.com/course/stress-management-dealing-with-personal-stress-revised
E-Commerce - Introduction to Internet Marketing Strategies for Businesses
- Institution: Alison
- Cost: Free
- Length: 1 - 2 hours
- Subject: E-Commerce
- Description: Learn how to build coordinated Internet marketing and promotion strategies for businesses with this free online course.
- Learn more:https://alison.com/course/e-commerce-introduction-to-internet-marketing-strategies-for-businesses
How to Create Your First Website
- Institution: Alison
- Cost: Free
- Length: 2 - 3 hours
- Subject: Website creation
- Description: Learn how to use the most important website creation tools quickly and easily with the help of this free online course.
- Learn more: https://alison.com/course/how-to-create-your-first-website
Introduction to Human Resource Concepts
- Institution: Alison
- Cost: Free
- Length: 6-10 Hours
- Subject: HR
- Description: Learn Human Resource Concepts for hiring, forming teams, and motivating employees with this free online course.
- Learn more:https://alison.com/course/introduction-to-human-resource-concepts
Introduction to Public Relations
- Institution: Alison
- Cost: Free
- Length: 2-3 hours
- Subject: PR
- Description: Learn how to incorporate effective PR principles into your business practices with this free public relations course.
- Learn more: https://alison.com/course/introduction-to-public-relations-revised
Guide to Zoom Video Conferencing
- Institution: Alison
- Cost: Free
- Length: 3-4 Hours
- Subject: Zoom meetings
- Description: Learn how to maximize the use of this leading video conferencing and webinar software in this free online course.
- Learn more:https://alison.com/course/guide-to-zoom-video-conferencing
How to Write a Resume
- Institution: Coursera
- Cost: Free
- Length: 1 hour
- Subject: Resume writing
- Description: You’ll review resume best practices and explore current trends with guidance from a professional career counsellor and recruiter, and you’ll exchange structured feedback with your peers as you work to polish your own resume. When you complete the course, you’ll have an eye-catching resume that lets your professional strengths shine.
- Learn more:https://www.coursera.org/learn/how-to-write-a-resume?
COVID-19 Contact Tracing
- Institution: Coursera
- Cost: Free
- Length: 1 week
- Subject: Covid-19
- Description: Students will learn about how contact tracing is done, including how to build rapport with cases, identify their contacts, and support both cases and their contacts to stop transmission in their communities.
- Learn more: https://www.coursera.org/learn/covid-19-contact-tracing?edocomorp=covid-19-contact-tracing
Mind Control: Managing Your Mental Health During COVID-19
- Institution: Coursera
- Cost: Free
- Length: 4 weeks - Starting (22 June 2020)
- Subject: Mental Health
- Description: Never in the history of humanity have so many people been feeling intense anxiety related to COVID-19 and the world it will leave in its wake. The intent of this course is to give you a deeper understanding of the anxiety reaction as it relates to various aspects of our current life, ranging from our consumption of news to the way we talk to our children about this.
- Learn more:https://www.coursera.org/learn/manage-health-covid-19?
Stay tuned for more!
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