If you want to evolve, progress or even undertake a professional retraining, the use of Mooc platforms can be a good starting point. But how to navigate through all the Mooc offers and which course to choose?
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The platforms of MOOC (massive open online course) are experiencing growing success thanks to the multitude of training courses they offer, in all sectors of activity. These platforms of e-learning, which offer both flexibility and certification training to its participants, are in full expansion. According to the website globenewswirethe global e-learning market is expected to reach $374.3 billion by 2026. But how do you find the MOOC you need?
Mooc training: ask yourself the right questions
It has now been 14 years since the first Moocs appeared online. Since then, their offer has continued to grow, in all countries, in all languages and in all sectors of activity. Before embarking on a MOOC course, first ask yourself whether the MOOC you plan to take really meets your needs and expectations. Will the proposed program make it possible to fill your gaps or acquire new skills, does the duration of the Mooc correspond to your availability, does the Mooc provide a certificate at the end of the training, are there any necessary prerequisites…
Other questions to ask about the progress of the Mooc: are they lectures with teacher intervention or not, should practical exercises be carried out, is there a forum or a space to interact with other attendees? Etc.
How to choose your Moocs?
Before launching headlong into the first Mooc you find, take the time to look at all the existing platforms and their reputation. This will guarantee you the seriousness of the training offered and you will avoid disappointment. MOOCs can be carried out by renowned universities or schools or by private training platforms. You should also know that there are paid Moocs, free Moocs and free Moocs with a paid option to obtain a certificate.
Where can you find free MOOCs?
Several platforms offer many free MOOCs. Here is a selection of the best-known French and international platforms, listed in alphabetical order:
- Codecademy: platform in English specialized in the programming language but also in the themes of data sciencemachine learning, web development, data visualization, cybersecurity… Free and paid content.
- Coursera: Displaying more than 200 collaborations with major companies and renowned universities, Coursera offers multiple courses in data sciences, health, arts and humanities, information technologies, business, physical sciences, mathematics, social sciences, development personnel, IT… Free and paid courses.
- EdX: platform created by MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and Harvard, EdX offers a multitude of high-quality training, generating a real advantage on the CV. Most of the courses are available for free, but there is a fee to obtain a certification. EdX also makes it possible to obtain a micro-bachelor, a master’s degree, or even university credits.
- Fun-Mooc: set up by the Ministry of Education, the France University platform Digital offers free courses taught by professors from universities or colleges. Some certifications are chargeable.
- My Mooc: with more than 10,000 Mooc offered by schools and universities, My Mooc offers certifications in many fields and in several languages (French, English, Chinese). Some certifications are chargeable.
- OpenClassrooms: OpenClassrooms is an online course platform for obtaining a certification recognized by the French State and listed in the RNCP. Between diploma courses and free access courses, OpenClassrooms addresses many themes.
You can also consult Google digital workshops, LinkedIn Learning, HandiMooc, Skillshare, Tuto.com, Udacity, Sillages, Udemy…
Free MOOCs: do not confuse certification and diploma
If following a MOOC until its end allows you to obtain a certification, it is not equivalent to a diploma. You can of course register your certification on your resume and put it forward during interviews but this does not replace obtaining a university degree. On the other hand, certification can be used to apply for diplomas. This indeed shows your motivation and your ability to understand the skills required to integrate a degree course. If you follow a Mooc training while you are an employee, it can help you to evolve within your company or to consider a professional retraining.
Nevertheless, many universities now offer complete courses on MOOC platforms. This is the case of Anglo-Saxon universities but also of HEC Paris, which offers an MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship on the Coursera platform.
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