Learning Data Science - Some suggested resources
Learning Data Science
This guide includes suggestions of resources which can be
used for self-directed learning while working at home. The courses themselves are not promoted or
certified as the best possible options but presented as a starting-point for
AAFC employees, supervisors, managers and parents who are currently faced with
planning independent learning.
MOOCs (Massive Open Online Course)
There are currently dozens of MOOC platforms online. This list contains suggestions of classes
offered by some of the more common MOOC services. The selected platforms are known for
offering STM content provided by reputable sources and offer at least some of
their content without a fee. Some
consideration has been given to including platforms which may be suitable for
family members of AAFC who are also currently “working at home”.
Selections of courses and approaches to teaching content on
MOOCs tend to we wide-ranging. Even
within a topic such as data science, some MOOC platforms offer hundreds of
courses. The courses listed in this
document were selected for being representative of the type of courses found on
the platform, for being self-paced and for having a flexible start-date. Once you familiarize yourself with a
platform, you may find other courses which are better-suited to your learning
style, objectives and time availability.
Note that if you prefer to learn in a language other than
English, there are MOOCs available in many languages. In some platforms, such as Coursera, the
course search engine allows for searching and filtering courses according to
language.
Keep in mind that most MOOC platforms do not work or do not
work well using the IE browser and some require the use of a laptop or desktop
computer as opposed to a mobile device.
EdEx Platform
EdEx has a reputation of offering detailed STM courses which
are not necessarily tied to a particular degree or program. Undergraduate and graduate-level courses are
taught by faculty from recognized universities.
The emphasis is on professional development.
Introduction
to data science 20-36 hrs
Coursera Platform
This platform has a range of offerings from one-off lessons
on certain topics, to series of courses in a specialization, to undergraduate
and graduate degrees from accredited universities. While there is a fee for all courses that
result in a credential or certificate, most courses can be audited for no
charge. Coursera is one of the original
MOOC platforms and is impressively robust in terms of languages of instruction
and topics covered.
What
is data science 7 hrs
Data science
methodology 7 hrs
Data science math
skills 16 hrs
Example of a specialization:
Data
science: foundations using R (this
specialization typically takes several months to complete and has a fee
associated with completing it)
Khan Academy
These MOOC courses are useful for brushing-up on
long-forgotten math skills or to give your teenager something more challenging
to work on while they are home from school.
Course content at the high school level includes topics such as
chemistry, biology, physics, grammar and computer science. As a brush-up, the “Cliff Notes”-type outlines
found in some of the lessons can be completed in less than an hour. For those who are new to the topic, more time
will be required. For those who have
elementary school children, Khan Academy offers some grade-appropriate math
lessons.
Canvas
The Canvas platform is often considered one of the more
accessible platforms for professional development and life-long-learning. While the STM content is less pronounced on
Canvas, there are many courses related to health sciences, business and
personal development. This platform can
also be a useful source of classes for family members.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning or “Learning” is a digital learning
platform that is hosted on the LinkedIn professional social media website. “Learning” contains content which was
previously hosted on Lynda.com.
Courses consist of videos and podcasts of various lengths
and at various levels of complexity ranging from beginner to expert. Many courses include quizzes, exams and
learning exercises. Certificates are
available for some courses. Learning is
a good resource for all family members.
Learning courses are available to many AAFC employees via
three possible avenues. Some AAFC
employees already have Learning licences through their branch or are able to
obtain one (speak to your supervisor to determine whether a licence may be
available to you). Some employees have
purchased personal licences. Others have
obtained access to some Learning content via their local public library or if
they are students or faculty at the U of S.
Note that not all Learning content may be available through the Public
Libraries.
U of S affiliates: https://training.usask.ca/linkedin-learning/LIL.php#WelcometoLinkedInLearningattheUofS
Data science
introductory classes
Learning
data science: understanding the basics
1 hr 16 min
Data
science foundations: fundamentals 3
hr 41 min
Learning
public datasets 2hr 1 min
Telling
a story with data 15 min
Data science
technology and application
Special topics in data science and data analytics
Ethics
and law in data analytics 3 hr and 51 min
Please feel free to add any additional courses you have found useful or make comments.
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