Cultus
Assuming you’ve had enough of classroom learning through your slightly younger years in school and college, you are doing the right thing by committing to online training to stay relevant – in your workplace, and in the industry. While you are in the process of cracking a complex matrix of priorities and requirements from your online training partner, allow us to give you 6 simple points that can take you one step closer to finding your online training partner. Ask yourself these 6 questions and we are reasonably sure you will find the right match!
Question 1: Who’s going to teach me?
There are teachers, and then there are experts. In a tug-of-war between a pure academician and someone with real-world experience in a specific tech, no prizes for guessing that the academician will fare pretty poorly. The reason is simple. Technology is not just theory. You learn best from someone who has been there, done that! An academician knows his tech, while an industry-level expert lives it. And he/she is able to caution you against real-world roadblocks and prepares you for the industry. So, take an informed call and go with a provider whose instructors are industry experts!
Question 2: How relevant is the content?
This is obviously the first tick in the box. If your online training provider does not provide up-to-date content that is relevant to your current or future job, it doesn’t make sense to waste time and money. The totally ‘online’ nature of online training providers makes them respond faster to latest industry buzzwords and trends. As you know, the lifespan of a technology is very short, and a provider who brings to you the latest tech should obviously be taken more seriously than others.
Question 3: Do I get SOS support?
Imagine having a doctor-on-call, or a gym instructor at your service all day. You never know when things go wrong, and you need that ‘golden hour’ support to keep yourself sane. We understand that as tech enthusiasts if you do get stuck, say with a platform, a piece of code, a software, you want to get bailed out ASAP so you can continue to create magic. There are online training providers who take tech support very seriously. make sure you learn with one of them. As you go along, you’ll realize how much it matters!
Question 4: Is this course future-proof?
So, you’ve ticked the ‘relevancy’ box. The next thing to ask yourself is whether the course will ensure that you do not have to take the same course six months down the line! Most new-age technologies aka VR, AI, IoT, Blockchain are evolving so fast that something that is launched today is obsolete before you can say its name backwards! You need to look closely and identify an online training provider who throws in a deal where you get access to updated courseware and reference material each time the course gets updated.
Question 5: Do I gain DIY experience?
It’s like watching golf vs. playing golf. Given the reasonable belief that golf is a pretty boring sport, a guy who plays golf is slightly less bored than a guy who watches it on TV. He understands the nuances of the game, can have a better conversation about it and can even teach other people how to play the sport. Learning is similar to golf. The more you walk around the field and play it, the more you learn. You have numerous options to learn online – videos, self-paced courses, forums, but if you are really serious about learning a skill, go with an online training partner who gives you the opportunity to get your hands dirty! Get a hands-on feel for the technology, and you’ll never forget what you learnt.
Question 6. Am I learning a skill or unlocking a career?
So, you’ve ticked all the boxes and have (almost) chosen an online training partner best suited to your needs. Before you sign on the dotted line, just stop for a second and settle the skill vs. career battle inside your head. What do you ultimately need? Do you just need to learn about a buzzword or do you want that skill to open new career avenues for you in the present and future? If you’re committed to a career and a specific skill is a step towards it, look out if your online training provider offers other courses that can take you closer to your career goals. It will pay off in the long run.
E-learning is the future of education. With these pointers in your mind, you are ready to assess your e-learning partner and get started with your learning journey. All the best!
Author’s note:
About Edureka:
We’re world’s largest online live education portal for working professionals. We offer instructor-led courses supported by online resources, along with 24×7 on-demand support. Edureka has an unwavering commitment, helping students complete their learning. (To help working professionals keep up with changing technologies and to cater to academic institutions inability to keep pace with changing needs.) Our vision is to make learning easy, interesting, affordable and accessible to millions of learners across the Globe.
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