Learning Circles at TRL: Business, Science & Technology Department
Gale courses, one of TPL's popular eLearning resources, offers a great array of courses and video tutorials on business, accounting, finance, and computer applications. If you've considered enrolling in a course, but found the commitment a bit cumbersome, a great way to follow through with it is to join a TPL hosted learning circle. Learning circles are study groups guided by library staff for people who want to take a free online open course together in a welcoming space. Learners meet weekly and work together through the course material.
Here at the Business, Science & Technology department we're looking to host a pilot learning circle on a topical course offered by Gale. Courses have scheduled start dates and typically span six weeks in length. As a participant, you will be responsible for enrolling in the course, and attending to the curriculum requirements. The learning circle is an opportunity for you to discuss that week's material, evaluate homework with peers, and engage in discussion in order to clarify issues and strengthen your understanding. The first meeting will explain enrollment procedures, and how to use the Gale interface so that you have maximum facility.
Below is a list of courses we're looking to offer with a brief description. All courses are instructor led by experts in the field. Please fill out the survey at the end indicating your course preference and we'll use that information to determine which course to offer.
Introduction to Database Development
In this course, you'll be introduced to the basics of database development, and get hands-on experience building a database on Microsoft Access and SQL.
Business and Marketing Writing
In this courses, you will learn approaches and strategies to business writing in different media forms and get hands-on experience through a writing project.
Designed for students with no computing background, this course takes you through the history of networking, teaches you how networks operate, including types, typologies, and standard protocols, and by the end of the course you will be able to create a private network and configure connections to an Internet Service Provider.
Even if you're not tech-savvy, this is a great introduction to understanding the mechanics of cloud computing, the data centers that host it, the meaning of big data, and how to make the best use of the cloud for your own purposes.
Basic Excel users can upgrade their skills by reviewing what they know and expand their Excel knowledge to the next level. In this course, you will learn how to make optimal use of charts and autofilter, get introduced to the goalseeker and solver tools, advanced pivot tables, macros, and functions.
Creating WordPress Websites: Business
WordPress is a free website creation platform that lets you generate a site on the spot without coding knowledge. But creating an effective website requires an understanding of your audience, search engine optimization tricks, and more. This course offers expert guided knowledge of the technical elements of WordPress, tips for optimal organization of content for business use, including making use of stats and monetization strategies, and how to improve search engine visibility.
If any of these courses entice you, fill out the survey here. The pilot course start date will be announced in February, and the learning circle will be advertised on the TPL website.
3 thoughts on “Learning Circles at TRL: Business, Science & Technology Department”
Great idea! Excellent selection of topics. Hope the classes aren’t too large, or it will just be another lecture; rather than a chance to increase knowledge with hands-on practice.
Great idea! Excellent selection of topics. Hope the classes aren’t too large, or it will just be another lecture; rather than a chance to increase knowledge with hands-on practice.
Great idea! Excellent selection of topics. Hope the classes aren’t too large, or it will just be another lecture; rather than a chance to increase knowledge with hands-on practice.