{"id":11792,"date":"2020-09-15T11:00:23","date_gmt":"2020-09-15T10:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/?p=11792"},"modified":"2023-01-16T18:06:24","modified_gmt":"2023-01-16T18:06:24","slug":"5-most-popular-online-courses-on-coursera","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/5-most-popular-online-courses-on-coursera\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Most Popular Online Courses on Coursera"},"content":{"rendered":"

The internet, for all its faults and flaws, has done a great deal to broaden our horizons. It\u2019s introduced us to new experiences, new sights, and new sounds; things we\u2019d probably never have come across otherwise. One of the ways in which it\u2019s expanded our horizons is through online courses, which have proven incredibly popular.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s never been easier to undertake online learning. During the Coronavirus pandemic and ensuing Covid-19 lockdowns, too, many more people have had the time to do so. Whether you\u2019re looking to learn out of sheer curiosity or with a view to a career change, you can sign up for distance learning online courses and gain new qualifications.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the world\u2019s most prestigious learning institutions have joined the online learning revolution. You can take a course in just about any area you care to name – from data science and digital marketing to machine learning and computer science – potentially opening doors to new career opportunities as well as personal satisfaction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"5<\/p>\n

One of the best-known providers of free online courses is Coursera. Here, you\u2019ll find a vast selection of free courses to undertake, providing you with all sorts of routes to a brighter and more fulfilling future. Whatever subject arouses your interest, and whatever reason you want to learn for, the possibilities Coursera offers are quite remarkable.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this guide, we\u2019ll introduce you to Coursera and explain a little more about what it is and what it does. We\u2019ll also take a look at online learning in general, discussing some of the major benefits it offers. We\u2019ll then go on to explain how to sign up for Coursera and provide some tips to make the most of your learning experience. Finally, we\u2019ll list five of the most popular Coursera courses to provide you with some cool ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hopefully, by the time you\u2019ve finished reading this guide, you\u2019ll have a much clearer idea about Coursera and what it can do for you. Let\u2019s get started.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Coursera?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In short, Coursera is an online education<\/a> provider. It offers thousands of online courses, known as massive open online courses (MOOCs). It has hundreds of partners in some 48 countries, including some of the world\u2019s most prestigious universities. Among Coursera\u2019s partners are elite US higher education institutions including Stanford, Duke, and Princeton, as well as highly respected business schools.<\/span><\/p>\n

As well as linking up with leading universities, Coursera has also entered into partnerships with a number of the biggest and most innovative firms on the planet – including such world-famous names as PwC, IBM, and Google.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With more than 45 million people have taken its courses, Coursera is by some distance the world\u2019s most popular MOOC provider. Its catalogue of course numbers over 3,800 and is expanding all the time, while it offers some 16 online degrees. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a complete beginner or are looking for guided projects at a higher level.<\/span><\/p>\n

But at this point, you might be wondering – what is a MOOC? Perhaps you\u2019ve never encountered the term before. A MOOC is an online course open to an unlimited number of participants, wherever they happen to be in the world. The point of MOOCs is to encourage lifelong learning and make it more accessible to a larger number of people.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"5<\/p>\n

MOOCs offer the possibility of undertaking a course in a particular topic (often quite a niche subject, like coding an Android app or learning about personal branding) to people who might otherwise lack the opportunity to study it. They thus allow people to expand their knowledge in a subject that\u2019s of special interest to them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t

\r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\t\tEducation<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t

Simplify and modernize your institution with the #1 cloud communications solution<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t

RingCentral\u2019s solution can securely and easily connect administration, boards, trustees, faculty, students, agencies, and vendors on any device, wherever, whenever, at a price that meets your budget.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\tLearn more<\/a>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t\n

These courses are taught by regular academic experts and are often offered by top universities like Johns Hopkins or those mentioned earlier. They are delivered entirely online, but they make use of a variety of different methods. These include streamed or pre-recorded lectures and prescribed reading or course material (i.e. books, ebooks or articles), as well as user forums, quizzes, and social media activities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Usually, MOOCs are provided free of charge, and provide free access – i.e. there are no entry requirements involved. They\u2019re also relatively short courses, typically lasting between two and 10 weeks in duration, and requiring between two to six hours of study time each week. That kind of workload is better for student’s mental health, as well as their time management.<\/span><\/p>\n

Benefits of Online Learning<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As outlined in the previous section, there are various benefits to undertaking an online learning course. Obviously, the type of course you take will depend on your particular interests and what you want from them – perhaps you\u2019re working towards a new career or general personal development, or alternatively, you might just be doing it out of curiosity. You may need a professional certificate to take the next step in your job. You might simply feel you’re weak at problem-solving or another life skill.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Benefits<\/p>\n

Whatever your reasons for taking Coursera courses, the upsides are numerous. For a start, they offer immense flexibility. We\u2019ve already noted that MOOCs are fairly short courses, generally lasting no more than two-and-a-half months and taking up no more than six hours weekly. This makes it very easy for you to fit these courses around your everyday routine.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got a busy working schedule or a young family to look after, your options in terms of studying can be limited. Taking a full course might not be an option – not least as it may require relocation or lengthy commutes to in-person seminars and lectures. As a more mature student, too, the life of a full-time college student may simply not appeal to you. You may feel no course certificate is worth giving up your life of happiness.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"5<\/p>\n

MOOCs, on the other hand, are entirely online courses and as such allow you to study in a way that fits your daily routine. They also let you study in your own environment, in the place where you\u2019re most comfortable. A lot of people feel happier (and less distracted) studying from home than on campus, so it can be good for your personal well-being, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

But if you can\u2019t study effectively from home for whatever reason – and it\u2019s not always easy when there are young children running about – you can always relocate yourself to a local library or even a cafe for a more relaxed environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another major advantage of online learning is that it\u2019s good for your career development. Employers are always looking for evidence that job applicants are prepared to be flexible and learn new skills. Taking an online course and picking up a qualification is a good way of demonstrating that flexibility and willingness to learn. If you\u2019ve been out of work for a spell, taking an online course also helps you prove you\u2019ve not spent the time just sitting around. Instead, you’ve chosen to learn Java, LinkedIn marketing, or something similarly useful.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, there\u2019s another benefit of online learning and MOOCs that we should talk about – namely that it\u2019s generally free. Of course, full degree courses (undergraduate or postgraduate) will be subject to tuition fees where they apply, even if most of the studying is done remotely. MOOCs, however, are usually entirely free of charge.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"5<\/p>\n

Reasons to Take Advantage of Coursera Courses<\/strong><\/h2>\n

So, having outlined just some of the potential benefits of Coursera courses, it\u2019s also worth discussing a few specific reasons why you might want to sign up for one. The most obvious one is that it offers you a new opportunity to learn new things and explore new topics.<\/span><\/p>\n

It might be that you\u2019ve always had an amateur or personal interest in a particular subject, but you\u2019ve never taken it any further than perhaps reading about it every so often. A free Coursera course allows you to pursue that interest further, delving into the topic without it costing you a penny. You could, for instance, learn more about marketing analytics or the IoT<\/a>. Alternatively, you could explore social psychology or psychological first aid. Such is the variety offered by Coursera.<\/span><\/p>\n

Going back to university might not be an option for a lot of people, for reasons we\u2019ve already outlined – work and family commitments, in particular. Taking an online course from an educational institution is therefore likely to be far easier and more practical.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"5<\/p>\n

Online courses also don\u2019t take up anywhere near as much of your time. An undergraduate or postgraduate degree could take years to complete (a part-time undergrad degree could take six years), as well as being quite time-intensive. You can complete a MOOC, by contrast, within a matter of weeks and still have the vast majority of that time to yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n\t

\r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\t\tMoving students forward<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t

Remote classroom: Learning in the digital age<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t

With technology developments such as virtual reality already making an impact in the classroom, the learning experience will look very different five years from now.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\tDownload PDF<\/a>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t\n

Online learning courses<\/span><\/a> can open up the possibility of taking an entirely new career path, too. Perhaps you\u2019ve been in your current line of work for a while and you\u2019re frustrated at the lack of opportunities it offers you. Alternatively, maybe you just don\u2019t get enough personal satisfaction out of the job, or you\u2019ve always secretly hankered after doing something else.<\/span><\/p>\n

By signing up for a Coursera course, you could put yourself on the road to the job you\u2019ve always dreamed of. You may need to take additional courses and seek extra qualifications as well, but these courses can serve as useful primers and introductions.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Sign Up for Coursera<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Signing up for Coursera courses is very easy. All you have to do is enroll in one; that starts by browsing the Coursera catalogue to find the course that\u2019s most suited to your needs. If you\u2019re looking for a course in <\/span>cloud computing<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>social media<\/span><\/a> management, for example, explore the catalogue and find the course that\u2019s relevant to you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve decided which course you\u2019re going to sign up for, simply click \u2018Enroll\u2019 and follow the instructions on the site. You should find that the whole process takes you no longer than <\/span>a few minutes. You can also check to see which courses you\u2019re enrolled in by clicking the \u2018Enrollments\u2019 option on the left sidebar, and then going to \u2018My Courses\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"5<\/p>\n

Top Online Coursera Courses<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Here are some of the most popular Coursera courses, to provide you with some inspiration:<\/span><\/p>\n