Are you looking to learn something new? Massive Online Open Courses (or ‘MOOCs’) offer elements of university-level courses online, without the need to complete a lengthy programme on campus. While MOOC students don’t always receive an official or formal qualification, many courses are free to participants – and some provide the option to upgrade (enabling students to receive a certificate).
Online courses can offer a convenient, cost-effective way to develop or learn new skills, and students can study at some of the best universities in the world. We’ve put together a list of ten online courses below (in order of start date and availability), which you can enrol on to boost your skills at work today.
When: Available now
Where: Deakin University
Study time: 3 hours per week
Course length: 2 weeks
What’s covered: This course explores the role that coaches play in establishing team culture. Students will learn how to apply a range of coaching principles and strategies, and will analyse the role successful coaches play in creating (and maintaining) a positive, supportive team culture. Participants will also look at the importance of monitoring team conflict, change and development.
Management and Leadership: Well-being and Welfare at Work
When: Available now (or start on 20th November)
Where: The Open University
Study time: 3 hours per week
Course length: 4 weeks
What’s covered: Endorsed by the Chartered Management Institute, this course is designed for new or aspiring managers (or for managers looking to develop their skills). It’ll help you assess the needs of your people – including planning, implementing and evaluating their professional development, and promoting well-being.
Professional Resilience: Building Skills to Thrive
When: Available now
Where: Deakin University
Study time: 3 hours per week
Course length: 2 weeks
What’s covered: This course offers participants an overview of resilience, and why it’s so important at work (and at home). Over two weeks, students will learn more about the steps they can take to improve resilience – including building resilient capabilities, skills, and self-care practices.
Management and Leadership: Growing as a Manager
When: Available now (or start on 1st October 2018)
Where: The Open University
Study time: 3 hours per week
Course length: 4 weeks
What’s covered: This course will introduce students to the foundation skills and knowledge needed to become a manager, learning from both academic tutors and experienced practitioners. Designed for new or aspiring managers, participants will explore management styles, decision-making and data, and meeting stakeholder needs – alongside personal development planning, communicating and influencing.
When: 6th August 2018
Where: CIPD
Study time: 3 hours per week
Course length: 5 weeks
What’s covered: By the end of this course, students will have explored different management styles, alongside their own. The course will take a closer look at best-practice in this area – including recruitment and induction, market trends, team and individual development, and performance management and appraisals (amongst other topics).
When: 6th August 2018
Where: CIPD
Study time: 3 hours per week
Course length: 5 weeks
What’s covered: This course offers an introduction to HR, from organisational strategy through to engagement and performance management. While it’s aimed at new and aspiring HR professionals, it may also be of interest to anyone overseeing people operations.
An Introduction to the Assessment of People at Work
When: 24th September 2018
Where: Coventry University
Study time: 3 hours per week
Course length: 2 weeks
What’s covered: This course is designed for anyone looking to gain a better understanding of assessment in the workplace. Learning will include the history of workplace assessment, the role of legislation and ethics, and an overview of assessment for development (amongst other topics).
Emotional Intelligence at Work
When: 24th September 2018
Where: Coventry University
Study time: 3 hours per week
Course length: 2 weeks
What’s covered: Participants will explore the origins of emotional intelligence, learning about the key theorists who have defined and developed this subject. The course will look at the measurement of emotional intelligence, alongside its application in organisational settings.
Managing People: Engaging Your Workforce
When: Date to be announced
Where: University of Reading
Study time: 4 hours per week
Course length: 10 weeks
What’s covered: Designed for people who have (or are about to have) managerial responsibility, this course will look at good management practices and will offer tools and techniques to help students deal with challenges effectively. Participants will learn more about people management and engagement through videos, articles, discussions, quizzes and activities.
When: Date to be announced
Where: University of Edinburgh
Study time: 2 hours per week
Course length: 3 weeks
What’s covered: The course is open to anyone, though was primarily designed with policy makers and practitioners from both the private and public sectors in mind. The course will take a closer look at the role communities and organisations play in facilitating wellbeing, exploring the ways that wellbeing could make us more focused, motivated, considerate and effective.
If you’re looking for something a little different to the courses we’ve listed here, visit FutureLearn or MOOC List today to find a course that’s right for you.
Have you been a student on any of the courses we’ve listed above – or have you got a course in mind that you’d recommend? Let us know via Twitter, or in the comments section below.
Please note: People Lab isn’t affiliated with the courses mentioned above – we’ve listed these links in the spirit of promoting best-practice and skills development in these areas. We also offer training as well as deliver courses for the CIPD, including Developing an Employee Engagement Strategy.
