Open educational resources are instruments for teaching, learning, and research that anybody can use and reuse. Open educational resources are defined as “complete courses, course materials, modules, textbooks, streaming videos, exams, software, and any other tools, resources, or methodologies used to provide access to information,” by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. In the context of this blog article, free training refers to both virtual and physical training that does not require the trainee to pay a fee

As a Tech Person, how does this benefit you?

First and foremost, it is FREE. You are not required to pay any dollars or naira. It is free just as the name implies, and it would incur no monetary cost. The majority of open resources are free, but others may only demand a commitment or certificate fee.

Another benefit is that you are free to set your own study time and manner. This may not always be the case for free trainings, as some may be physical, but most Open Tech Resources allow for it. Sometimes all you have to do is complete assigned tasks within a fixed duration.  Most times, you are free to attend the courses or training whenever and wherever it is most suitable for your schedule and productivity.

Another benefit is that it is generally convenient. As a person starting out in tech or transitioning into tech from another profession, you may have a lot to do, and being able to attend your free online training or access open resources on your own time allows you to multitask and fulfill your other responsibilities..

Finally, there is the advantage of having constant access to improved resources. In contrast to a one-time paid training, open resources and free training can be quickly enhanced through direct modification by users or through solicitation and incorporation of user feedback. Instructors can modify a current OER (Open Educational Resources) for a class and make the changed OER available for use by others.

Some examples of free online learning platforms for tech talents that you could make use of include: Coursera, Udemy, Skillshare, LinkedIn learning, Udacity, etc. Nithub Unilag also provides free tech training at various levels. You should also check this recording of a Twitter conversation we had with Tejumade Afonja about Free Training and Open Resources as a Tool for Career Growth in Tech.