Top 10 courses for tech beginners
Level-up your CV with these top courses designed to teach you in-demand tech and IT skills.
The tech industry is one of the most vibrant and fast-growing in the world, with demand for web services soaring even before the coronavirus pandemic pushed many businesses into operating online only.
In the future, tech skills will be increasingly valuable in a competitive jobs market. With the world moving online at an ever-faster pace, it’s important your CV doesn’t get left behind.
Fortunately, FutureLearn has a wide variety of online tech courses and IT classes – from coding, to web development, and cyber security – designed to give you the basic skills you need to take your first steps in this thriving sector.
We’ve picked out ten essential courses to give you a head-start – whether you want some extra skills to level-up your current role, or you’re thinking of rebooting your career altogether.
1 How Computers Work: Demystifying Computation from Raspberry Pi Foundation and Google
Where better to start than exploring how computers actually operate? This course will walk you through the mathematical fundamentals of computing, including system architecture, and how computers use binary and logic to function.
From there you can learn to build a range of simple circuits, gaining knowledge of how all computers – from the smartest supercomputer to the smallest smartphone – work along the way.
2 Introduction to Web Development from Raspberry Pi Foundation and Google
The Raspberry Pi Foundation and Google combine again with another killer course designed to give you fundamental IT skills.
On this course you can build a website using HTML, style it with CSS, and then make it interactive using JavaScript. By the end, you’ll be able to create a quiz web page and even make your very own website.
3 Computer Programming for Everyone from the University of Leeds and the Institute of Coding
Coding is one the key in-demand tech skills any budding developer needs to master, underpinning the design of everything from apps to video games.
Part of the popular Introduction to Coding and Design program, this course will let you learn the problems coding can solve. You’ll come away being able to write your first computer programs.
4 Learn to Code for the Web from the University of Leeds and the Institute of Coding
From Netflix to Google, the code of all the apps and websites you use throughout the day is written in specific programming languages.
On this course you can get to grips with three of the main languages used to code computers – HTML, CSS, and JavaScript – learning how to style and build your own projects in the process.
5 Learn about Current Digital Workplace Trends from the University of Leeds and the Institute of Coding
With most work moving online in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, knowing the latest trends in digital working is crucial to staying ahead of the career curve.
Here you’ll discover the digital skills you need to futureproof your CV, and explore how the technological revolution is changing the way we think about work itself.
6 How To Start Your Career In Games Development from the BGI
Are you mad for Mario, or zany for Zelda? If you’re a video games guru, a career as a game developer might be a great next step.
On this course, you’ll explore the practicalities of applying for a developer position in the games industry – how to ace an interview, how development teams really work, and what skills you need to boss a competitive field.
7 Introduction to Databases and SQL from Raspberry Pi Foundation and Google
Learning about how to use databases is a key component of GCSE Computing in the UK, and other equivalent school computing degrees around the world.
After taking this course, teachers and students alike will feel confident in using tables to manipulate and interpret data.
8 Programming for Everybody: Getting Started with Python from the University of Michigan
Python is one of the fundamental programming languages used across the web. This course is designed for absolute beginners to tackle the essentials of this most important of coding languages.
You’ll go from clueless to coder in a matter of weeks, as you learn the key concepts of programming, write your first program, and explore core programming tools like functions and loops.
9 Programming 101: An Introduction to Python for Educators from Raspberry Pi Foundation with Google
If you’re a teacher looking to learn the basics of programming before heading back into the classroom, this course would be perfect for you.
You’ll learn how to understand the basics of Python, going on to use your new coding skills to create your own program.
10 Introduction to Cyber Security from The Open University
As the tech revolution encroaches on more and more aspects of modern life, so the risk of cyber crime increases.
Cyber security – the job of preventing cyber crime – is a burgeoning field. This course will give you a grounding in the essentials of how to protect yourself online, introducing you to central concepts like network security, cryptography, identity theft, and risk management.
Whatever your area of interest, explore our full range of tech courses and get switched-on to the tech revolution today.
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