COVID-19 is spreading at a fast pace and we are witnessing a global economic slowdown. Many industries have been impacted as countries are going into lockdown to deal with the pandemic. Universities across the world have closed their campuses, and studies of millions of students have come to a halt. While staying at home poses a lot of challenges, one can make the most of it by going online.

There has been a massive increase in internet usage these days and you too can continue your studies through eLearning platforms. Whether you are looking for Java tutorials, data science courses, or Azure training, eLearning platforms have a lot to offer. Training providers like Coursera, Simplilearn, EdX, LinkedIn Learning, Udacity, etc. have a range of Massive Open Online Course (MOOCs) as well as paid courses to help you master any of the skills you are looking for. Be it photography, project management, quality management, software development, fashion, or entrepreneurship, you can rely on these eLearning platforms and get certified without any need to go to any physical location.

E-learning platforms have already been gaining traction for the past few years. In a world where digital transformation is at its peak, students, as well as professionals, have unique learning needs and the traditional academic way of learning isn’t fulfilling it. Professionals, especially, need to have a specific skill set for the projects they are involved in and often don’t need to follow lengthy training that covers things in a broader aspect. As such, eLearning can come to their rescue, and professionals would have more control over what they want to learn and avoid wasting time on irrelevant study areas.

advancements have allowed eLearning platforms to reach new heights. From live virtual classroom training, doubt clearing sessions, to real-time practice tests, interactive quizzes, flashcards, integrated lab sessions, and applying theoretical knowledge in a controlled simulated environment, learners get many more facilities than traditional learning methods.

Switching to eLearning!

Here are the steps you can follow to continue your education despite the COVID-19 outbreak:

Check if your institute is providing online classes

Many universities have rolled up their sleeves to make online learning possible for students. For instance, the Singapore Institute of Technology had a challenging task of converting all classes of more than 50 students to eLearning in their mid semesters. They made sure that the faculties were aware of remote teaching through live streaming, pre-recorded sessions, allowing discussions, and providing assessments. The institute also provided access to applications like Zoom (for video conferencing), Respondus (proctoring online exams), and more. So, all you need to do is communicate with your institute and continue your learning if online classes are being offered.

Navigate through different edtech portals

Amid the lockdown, trends for online learning have seen significant growth. Considering this trend, many edtech firms have decided to offer their courses free of cost. You can find a series of certification courses being available to get yourself enrolled and learn whatever you are interested in. Popular fields include finance, data analytics, big data, machine learning, digital marketing, and more. Apart from video lessons, you can also download ebooks or join webinars hosted by industry experts.

Earn renowned certifications

Professionals who are busy meeting targets or deadlines of their projects, often keep on delaying their upskilling tasks. They know the importance of gaining certifications in the domain they work but hardly get enough time to chalk out the plan. So, this is a suitable time to find out what certifications can help you advance your career and prepare for it. For example, professionals interested in cloud computing can gain certifications offered by Microsoft Azure.

Use mobile applications to keep you engaged

It is not even necessary to use a laptop to continue your learning. You can use smartphone applications to engage yourself. Vedantu, for instance, allows you to access academic textbooks, revision notes, free counseling sessions, and tips and tricks for various competitive exams. Similarly, Simplilearn is offering courses on machine learning, cybersecurity, project management to help you advance your career. Other applications like Oliveboard, Duolingo, LinkedIn Learning are also following the suit.

are some of the steps to keep yourself occupied during the period of lockdown. While the present switching to online methods is growing and temporary, they are designed to have lasting effects on how learning is delivered. It will be interesting to see how things develop with regard to online learning once the pandemic is dealt with. Further, it is also a good opportunity for learners to practice adaptability and for training providers to understand the unique learning needs of every student and curate their content accordingly.