Online Training Certificates

AHarvey · 8 Jan 2016 at 05:04

Hi all,

I've just enrolled on Edx.org's Intro to Computer Science and Programming using Python course (and I will complete it this time!) however I've often wondered about the certificates offered with such courses.

Have any of you taken an online course in any subject and paid for a certificate?

Have any of you advanced career wise due to the certificate?

If you interview people, would you recognise a certificate from an online training provider?

peterwalkley · 8 Jan 2016 at 17:55

I regard them as of little value as there is no way of proving with remote learning that the person did their own work or even understood the material past what was needed to get the pass mark. I would want to check they really understand via a programming test under supervision or walking through code and asking questions.

Mynight · 8 Jan 2016 at 17:57

I wouldn't no.

They can't hurt but at the end of the day a portfolio would be preferred.

dowie · 8 Jan 2016 at 17:59

while it won't replace a degree (at least not yet) - tis good to show the initiative.

Udacity + the coursera specializations have gone a bit further with not just problem sets but actual projects for you to do ergo you can complete the relevant courses and have some work you can show for it. Employers can then see you projects, see your code.... you've got real problems you've tackled that you can discuss in interviews.

Important thing is making sure you understand the subjects well - whether you're getting an online certificate or claiming to have studied something from books etc.. if you claim to have studied game theory then make sure you can answer questions about it.

AHarvey · 9 Jan 2016 at 12:28

peterwalkley said:
I regard them as of little value as there is no way of proving with remote learning that the person did their own work or even understood the material past what was needed to get the pass mark. I would want to check they really understand via a programming test under supervision or walking through code and asking questions.

One of the sites I know you have to provide them with photographic ID, then use a webcam to prove it's you doing the course, but I have no idea how accurate that kind of system is and as you say, you can't prove it as there will be ways around it.

After a lengthy argument online 8 months ago I know that in India the certificates really do hold some weight, but I just don't feel they do in the UK at all.

Kuros · 9 Jan 2016 at 17:36

Unfortunately some (not all) remote courses aren't really seen as being worth the paper they are written on.

I've had people even casually mention that they wouldn't consider the Open University to be a relevant degree provider.

dowie · 9 Jan 2016 at 20:45

problem with anecdotes is they're fairly irrelevant - what you need to know really is how often people have used these things to help get a new role... It doesn't really matter if Bob the IT manager in Leeds thinks they're dog ****, Bob could be an out of touch moron - what you're more interested in is how people who've done them have gotten on in interviews

ideally some of the providers ought to be conducting surveys re: people who've completed their courses - I know udacity does have some careers service too and allows employers to search for candidates on the site... fact is google has created a lot of the content and other industry partners have been involved too so there are certainly some big tech firms who are interested in this stuff.

DominicStar · 9 Jan 2016 at 21:07

Kuros said:
I've had people even casually mention that they wouldn't consider the Open University to be a relevant degree provider.

There is anyways snobbery from B&m university fans onwards the OU. I guess that is sometimes subject dependent, as they are a highly respected organisation and include many staff from prestigious universities.