Online Learning For You Made Easy

When I started my journey as a freelancer, I didn't know much, and I thought it would be difficult to learn because, in Tanzania, there aren’t colleges that teach freelancing or digital skills. Plus, I didn’t have money for school.

That day, I was on my laptop, researching, and I came across a site called Alison.

So, What is Alison?

Alison is an online education platform offering free courses on a variety of subjects. Here’s a bit more about it:

• Courses: Thousands of free courses, including certificates and diplomas in areas like Applied Operations Management, Digital Photography, and Supply Chain Management.

• Creators: Courses are developed by subject experts and professionals.

• Accessibility: Alison’s goal is to make education accessible to everyone, no matter where they are.

• Learning Experience: Courses are self-paced, so you can learn at your own speed.

• App: Alison has a free learning app for easier course access.

Alison is a great place to start learning, but it’s important to know that it’s not an accredited institution. This means Alison’s courses provide good foundational knowledge, but they may not be widely recognized by employers.

Some Alison courses cover:

• Business: Business management, entrepreneurship, supply chain

• Computer Science: Programming and networking

• Engineering: Construction and engineering basics

• Health and Fitness: Health care, safety, and patient care

• Languages: Various language courses

• Media: Journalism, media studies, PR

• Teaching: Academics and education fundamentals

Certificates generally take 2–3 hours, and diplomas take 6–15 hours to complete. And the best part? It’s FREE.

Another Great Platform: Coursera

Coursera is another amazing option I found, offering more professional courses.

So, what is Coursera?

Coursera is an online platform with diverse subjects and learning formats, from courses to degrees. Unlike Alison, Coursera partners with universities and organizations to offer courses that lead to valuable, recognized certifications.

Coursera Partners: Some top universities available on Coursera include:

• University of Illinois: Offers an online Master of Science in Management

• University of Colorado Boulder: Data Science and Electrical Engineering degrees

• University of London: Cybersecurity

• The Open University (UK): Well-known for online degrees

• Yale, University of Pennsylvania, Indian School of Business: Strategic partners with highly valued courses

With Coursera Plus, you can access unlimited courses for $20/month, billed annually. This gives you access to courses from reputable universities for about $1.1M TZS per year—a great option if you want credible, professional certificates.

Other Learning Platforms

If you’re looking for variety, here are some other platforms:

• Udemy: Affordable, diverse courses with occasional certificates.

• Skillshare: Focuses on creative skills (design, photography, writing) but doesn’t provide certificates. It’s subscription-based.

• Google Garage, Hubspot Academy, LinkedIn Learning: Offer courses with certificates, but like Alison, they aren’t accredited. However, Tanzanian clients may appreciate seeing professional certifications on your profile.

Each of these platforms has its strengths, depending on what skills you want to learn and how much you’re willing to invest.

Extra Tips for Learning Online:

1. Set a Schedule: Consistency is key when learning online. Set aside specific times each week to focus on your courses.

2. Practice What You Learn: Apply your new skills to real-life projects, even if they're small.

3. Network: Join forums or social media groups related to your courses. Engaging with others can deepen your understanding and lead to opportunities.

4. Create a Portfolio: Showcase what you’re learning, especially if you’re freelancing.

So, if you’re serious about freelancing and want to build a professional skill set, check these sites out.

What’s Next?

My next blog: How to Begin Freelancing Without Money

I post once a week (Monday), with TikTok and Instagram posts Monday to Friday and YouTube videos every Friday. I also offer free consultations via Zoom! Feel free to email me if you have questions or want to work together.

See you in the next post!

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