MOOCS - coding for beginners
MOOCS - coding for beginners
MOOCS
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MOOCS
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LEARN NEW TECH SKILLS
The CFG Massive Open Online Courses come in two forms – MOOC Sprints and MOOC Challenges. Together, our MOOCs make the perfect coding courses for beginners or those with some tech know-how!
In just 4-weeks, you’ll learn a new tech skill and get certified with our MOOC Sprints, designed to give beginners a good foundational knowledge across key tech topics including languages, problem-solving and career confidence.
Following our Sprints, our MOOC Challenges allow you to test your knowledge and skills with a challenge, project or task with real-life examples and problem-solving.
FREE ONLINE COURSES
Our MOOCs are 100% free and will introduce you to in-demand tech concepts and languages and other key skills.
Hosted live by our fantastic instructors and often co-hosted by our partner companies – a great opportunity to learn about tech across different organisations and get a live Q&A.
Our massive open online courses are available to all women across the globe!
INFO SPOT: MOOC SPRINTS & CHALLENGES
INFO SPOT: MOOC
SPRINTS & CHALLENGES
Much like any tech role, you’ll get involved in sprints to build and ship new tech features and products. We thought the term ‘sprint’ was a fitting name for a 4-week MOOC powerhouse learning session focused on a key topic where you will walk away with new skills and knowledge.
Not only that, after completing a MOOC Sprint, you will have the opportunity to test your knowledge further by taking part in a MOOC Challenge linked to your Sprint topic.
Our MOOC Sprints are open to all CFG members globally and are 100% free for all participants.
MOOC Sprints are run over 4 weeks, with one x 1-hour session per week going into the detail of a key topic area.
At the end of the 4 weeks, you’ll walk away with a deeper knowledge of a key topic and have the opportunity to test your knowledge with our MOOC Challenge – which will follow after each Sprint!
There will be a range of topics from introductions to languages, problem-solving, career pathways and more!
Each MOOC Sprint will include LIVE sessions (or recorded if you can’t make it), a session quiz, and upon completion by the deadline, a certification.
What we love most about our new MOOC Sprints is that they are great for all CFG members – from beginners to those further along their tech journey.
Tech is an ever-evolving area, and building your knowledge base is sure to continue throughout your career. MOOC Sprints are great for those starting and wanting to learn more about a topic, or for those who have done our class or CFGdegree and want to gain additional knowledge and skills in a topic area.
AND, our MOOCs are available for all CFG members globally!
Our MOOC Sprints will be hosted LIVE by our amazing instructors with some special guests from partner companies for key sessions.
In the LIVE sessions, you can ask any questions, get unstuck on any ‘not-so-sure-bits’ and ask guest partners about life at their company and career pathways.
To gain access to our new MOOC Sprints, we’ll send you to our new member area online where all of our MOOC sessions will take place and you can track your progress and access course materials.
We know that sometimes life gets in the way of a good MOOC session, so we will be keeping our MOOC Sprint sessions available online for some time after each of the LIVE sessions.
This means you can watch and learn in your own time, in whatever time zone, accessing the video sessions and associated content to complete each MOOC Sprint.
PLUS, when you complete the MOOC Sprint, you will receive a certificate to recognise your achievement. There is a completion deadline for each MOOC Sprint to receive a certificate, after which you can head over to our “On Demand Library” where you can catch up on any of the Sprints for a limited time.
We’re unleashing some mini hackathon vibes with our MOOC Challenges. Our MOOC Challenges will allow members to test their knowledge in a key topic area with a project or challenge to complete.
Much like a hackathon, there will be a kick-off event, time to develop your response, and a final presentation session – with this all happening over four weeks.
Challenges and projects are a great way to not only test your knowledge but also for building a portfolio and adding to your CV!
Our MOOC Challenges are open to all CFG members globally and are 100% free for all participants. If you would love to take up the challenge but don’t think you have the skillset for it, check out our related Sprints first to get yourself challenge ready!
Each MOOC Challenge will begin with a kick-off event where the challenge statement and project will be presented.
Usually, these will be presented by our partner companies who may be seeking solutions to real-life tech challenges and looking for tech talent to show them the way!
Our MOOC Challenges are open to all CFG members globally!
It is always good to challenge yourself and put new skills (or old ones!) to the test!
Our MOOC Challenges are designed to follow our MOOC Sprint topics so that those who have participated in the Sprints can then test what they have just learnt.
These challenges are open to all participants, however, our linked Sprints are here to give you all the tools and skill sets to complete.
From the kick-off date, you will have four weeks to submit your response.
Finally, after all of your hard work, you get the opportunity to showcase your work to our partners who are your judges. Showcase all you have learned and worked on with a final presentation where one of our lucky challengers will be awarded the winner.
The final session will take place after around four weeks of free time to complete the challenge.
We are incredibly excited to have our partner companies involved and to see your solutions presented to the challenge.
Problem-solving is a key skill to have in tech and being able to showcase that you have participated in MOOC Challenges will be a great booster to any CV and portfolio.
Each member that takes part and completes the MOOC Challenge will receive a certificate to confirm participation.
You’ll also have a great project to add to your portfolio and be able to add this to your GitHub, website or other pages showcasing your work!
MOOC SPRINTS & CHALLENGES
Sign up for our live MOOC Sprints and Challenges below. We launch new MOOCs every month so make sure you time into our socials and emails for updates!
By opting for our live MOOC Sprints, you’ll get access to our expert instructors to ask questions and grow your knowledge further!
*LIVE* MOOC sprint: limited time to GET CERTIFIED (FOR FREE!) until 27.11.24
Free and open to all CFG Members
INTRO TO AI and Security
STARTS: 23 oCTOBER - 13 NOVEMBER 24 @ 6pm
AI is transforming the way we live, work, and secure our systems! If you’re eager to understand how AI and security intersect, this INTRO TO AI & SECURITY MOOC is for you. Over four sessions, you’ll explore the essentials of AI security, attack vectors, vulnerabilities, and how to build secure systems. From understanding key security principles to hands-on demos of adversarial and privacy attacks, this course gives you the practical knowledge to protect AI models and ensure ethical deployment. Join us and take your first step towards mastering AI security!
Session 1: Introduction to AI Security
LIVE Session: Wednesday 23rd October @ 6pm (BST)
- What is AI Security?
- Key concepts in AI security
- Understanding AI Security
- Overview of AI and machine learning
- How security is integrated into AI systems
- Security Principles in AI
- Confidentiality, integrity, and availability
- Basic security principles applicable to AI
- Demo: Identifying AI Security Risks
- Introduce a simple AI model (e.g., a basic image classifier).
- Discuss potential security risks associated with the model.
- Provide an example of how an AI model could be misused if not properly secured.
- Explore the model’s behaviour and identify potential security vulnerabilities.
Session 2: Attack Vectors and Vulnerabilities in AI
LIVE Session: Wednesday 30th October @ 6pm (BST)
- Attack Vectors in AI
- Common attack vectors (e.g., adversarial attacks, data poisoning)
- Real-world examples of attacks on AI systems
- Vulnerabilities in AI Models
- Types of vulnerabilities in AI model
- How vulnerabilities can be exploited
- Adversarial Attacks
- What are adversarial attacks?
- Examples and demonstrations
- Demo: Adversarial Attack on a Simple Model
- Show how to create and apply adversarial examples to a basic AI model.
- Discuss the impact of adversarial attacks on model performance.
Session 3: Privacy Attacks and Mitigations
LIVE Session Wednesday 6th November @ 6pm (BST)
- Privacy Attacks on AI
- Types of privacy attacks (e.g., membership inference, model inversion)
- Consequences of privacy breaches in AI
- Mitigating Vulnerabilities
- Techniques to mitigate vulnerabilities in AI models
- Importance of robustness in AI models
- Privacy-Preserving AI
- Techniques for preserving privacy in AI systems
- Differential privacy, federated learning, and other methods
- Demo: Membership Inference Attack
- Demonstrate a membership inference attack on a simple AI model.
- Discuss the implications of such attacks on privacy.
- Demo privacy-preserving techniques (e.g., data anonymization, differential privacy) and observe the effects on the model.
Session 4: Building Secure and Ethical AI Systems
LIVE Session: Wednesday 13th November @ 6pm (BST)
- Building Secure AI Systems
- Best practices for building secure AI systems
- Design principles and security measures
- Ethical and Legal Considerations
- Ethical issues in AI security
- Legal frameworks and regulations
- Future Trends and Emerging Threats
- Emerging threats in AI security
- Future trends and developments
- Demo: Securing an AI Model
- Walk through securing an AI model by implementing various security measures.
- Discuss ethical considerations in the design and deployment of AI systems.
*LIVE* MOOC CHALLENGE: GET CERTIFIED (FOR FREE!)
Free and open to all CFG Members
INTRO TO CODING
STARTS: 7TH NOVEMBER - 19TH DECEMBER 24 @ 7.30PM
Our MOOC Challenges give you the opportunity to test your knowledge and skills with a challenge, project or task using real-world examples.
Challenges and projects are a great way to not only test your knowledge but also for building a portfolio and bits on your CV!
Week 1 – Kick-off event & challenge revealed
Weeks 2 & 3 – Project work begins ready for submission to the judges!
Week 4 – Presentations and winners announced
*LIVE* MOOC sprint: limited time to GET CERTIFIED (FOR FREE!) until 26.11.24
Free and open to all CFG Members
Intro to Cloud & Deployment
STARTS: 22ND OCTOBER - 12TH NOVEMBER 24 @ 6PM
Cloud technology is reshaping how businesses operate! If you’re ready to explore the world of cloud computing, this INTRO TO CLOUD COMPUTING MOOC is perfect for you. Across four sessions, you’ll learn the fundamentals of cloud computing, dive into cloud deployment models like IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, and get hands-on experience with AWS. From understanding the AWS global infrastructure to mastering the AWS console and services, this course is your gateway to building cloud expertise. Start your journey toward becoming a cloud computing pro today!
Session 1: Introduction to Cloud Computing
PRE-RECORDED Session Tuesday 22nd October @ 6pm (BST)
- Define cloud computing and its key characteristics
- History of Cloud
- Benefits and challenges of using the cloud
- Key cloud service providers and their services
Session 2: Cloud Deployment Models and Services
PRE-RECORDED Session Tuesday 29th October @ 6pm (BST)
- Service Models
- IaaS
- PaaS
- SaaS
- Public cloud
- Private cloud
- Hybrid cloud
Session 3: Intro to AWS
PRE-RECORDED Session Tuesday 5th November @ 6pm (BST)
- What is AWS
- AWS Global Infrastructure
- AWS High Availability Concept
- AWS Edge Locations
Session 4: AWS Services
PRE-RECORDED Session Tuesday 12th November @ 6pm (BST)
- AWS Services Interactions
- AWS Console
- AWS CLI
- AWS SDK
*PRE-RECORDED* MOOC sprint: limited time to GET CERTIFIED (FOR FREE!) until 2.12.24
Free and open to all CFG Members
INTRO TO PYTHON
STARTS: 28TH OCTOBER - 18TH NOVEMBER 24 @ 6pm
Python is an interpreted, object-oriented, high-level programming language with dynamic semantics. Python is commonly used for developing websites, task automation, data analysis, and data visualisation. Due to the nature of Python, it is regularly used in industries and roles such as accountants and scientists, for a variety of everyday tasks.
Session 1:Introduction to Python
PRE-RECORDED Session: Monday 28th October @ 6pm (GMT)
- Install Python on your machine
- Why learn Python?
- Hello World!
- Variables
- Conditions
Session 2: Operations in Python
PRE-RECORDED Session: Monday 4th November @ 6pm (GMT)
- Assigning Values
- Comparing values
- Assessing Logic
Session 3: Functions in Python
PRE-RECORDED Session: Monday 11th November @ 6pm (GMT)
- Lambda functions
- Local and Global Scope
- Spelling checker project
Session 4: Statements, arguments and libraries in Python
PRE-RECORDED Session: Monday 18th November @ 6pm (GMT)
- Python Libraries
- Return Statements
- Arguments
*PRE-RECORDED* MOOC SPRINT: GET CERTIFIED (FOR FREE!)
Free and open to all CFG Members
CVS & APPLICATIONS
STARTS: 31ST OCTOBER - 21ST NOVEMBER 24 @ 6pm
An inevitable part of any career is submitting CVs and applications for roles. For tech roles in particular, you are often expected to provide a portfolio and go through a tech assessment. Our CVs & Applications MOOC will give you the foundational knowledge to build upon in your tech career, including how to manage Imposter Syndrome and portray your best self throughout the process.
Session 1: Introduction to CV’s : Structure and formatting
PRE-RECORDED Session: Thursday 31st October @ 6pm (GMT)
- Why having a good CV is important
- How someone makes a decision on your CV
- A general structure CV’s should follow
Session 2: How to make your CV stand out
PRE-RECORDED Session: Thursday 7th November @ 6pm (GMT)
- What people think will make your CV stand out
- Dissecting each section of a CV
- Personal branding and how it can provide great content for your CV
- Linking other content such as a portfolio, github profile
Session 3: Navigating tech job applications
PRE-RECORDED Session: Thursday 14th November @ 6pm (GMT)
- Where to find and apply for tech jobs
- Advice on tracking your applications
- Should you write cover letters for your applications?
Session 4: Smashing your interview (and some other tips)
PRE-RECORDED Session: Thursday 21st November @ 6pm (GMT)
- How to use a brag document.
- How to navigate the conversation around salary
- Interview processes that tech roles may have
*PRE-RECORDED* MOOC SPRINT: GET CERTIFIED (FOR FREE!)
Free and open to all CFG Members
INTRO TO DATA
STARTS: 19TH NOVEMBER - 10TH DECEMBER 24 @ 6PM
Data is the backbone of decision-making in the digital age! If you’re ready to dive into the world of data management, this SQL MOOC SPRINT is perfect for you. Each week, you’ll get an overview of essential SQL concepts and build a solid foundation to expand your knowledge further. From understanding databases and basic syntax to mastering commands, normalisation, keys, joins, and data aggregation, this course could be the first step in your journey to becoming a data expert!
Session 1: SQL Basics
LIVE Session: Tuesday 19th November @ 6pm (GMT)
- Understanding what SQL is and how it is used
- Understanding databases, tables and basic syntax.
- How to build databases and tables, and how to populate.
- Understand basic operators and how these can be applied in the WHERE clause.
Session 2: SQL Commands & Normalisation
LIVE Session: Tuesday 26th November@ 6pm (GMT)
- Introduction to SQL commands: DML and DDL statements.
- Practical application of SQL commands.
- Normalisation and 1-3NF.
- Normalisation practical.
Session 3: Keys and Joins
LIVE Session: Tuesday 3rd December @ 6pm (GMT)
- Identification of Candidate Keys.
- Primary and Foreign Keys.
- Types of Joins.
- Joining Tables with Keys.
Session 4: Aggregation and Sorting
LIVE Session: Tuesday 10th December @ 6pm (GMT)
- UI and UX
- Site map and user journey
- Accessibility guidelines
- SEO
*LIVE* MOOC SPRINT: GET CERTIFIED (FOR FREE!)
Free and open to all CFG Members
LLMS & PROMPT ENGINEERING
STARTS: 20th NOVEMBER - 11TH DECEMBER @ 6pm
LLMs (Large Language Models) are sophisticated AI tools that generate and understand human language, while prompt engineering focuses on creating effective prompts to achieve the best results from these models. Throughout this MOOC sprint you’ll get to know LLMs and Prompt Engineering, and how mastering these concepts helps to improve communication, increase efficiency and promote ethical AI usage.
Session 1: Introduction to NLP and LLMs
LIVE Session Session: Wednesday 20th November @ 6pm (GMT)
- Introduction to NLP (Natural Language Processing)
- Overview of Language Models
- Introduction to LLMs (Large Language Models)
- Demo: Exploring a Pre-trained LLM
Session 2: Prompt Engineering Fundamentals
LIVE Session Session: Wednesday 27th November @ 6pm (GMT)
- What is Prompt Engineering?
- Techniques for Effective Prompting
- Case Studies / Examples
- Demo: Crafting Effective Prompts
Session 3: NLP Techniques and Applications
LIVE Session Session: Wednesday 4th December @ 6pm (GMT)
- Text Classification
- Sentiment Analysis
- Named Entity Recognition (NER)
- Demo: Sentiment Analysis with LLMs
Session 4: Practical Applications, Future Trends, and Ethical Considerations
LIVE Session Session: Wednesday 11th December @ 6pm (GMT)
- Practical Applications of LLMs
- Future Trends in LLMs and NLP
- Ethical Considerations
- Demo: Building a Simple NLP Application
MOOC SPRINT: ON DEMAND LEARNING
Can’t wait for our live sessions? Catch up on our previous MOOC sprints! Our on-demand library features recorded MOOC sessions for you to learn at your own pace.
*Please note there is no certification on completing MOOCs from the on-demand Library. If you would like to get certified, please join our live sessions above.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND UNTIL 21.11.24
Free and open to all CFG Members
INTRO TO BUSINESS ANALYSIS
Business Analysis is crucial for bridging the gap between business needs and technical solutions! If you’re ready to dive into this dynamic field, our Business Analysis MOOC SPRINT is perfect for you. Each week, you’ll explore key aspects of business analysis, providing a solid foundation to build upon. This course covers everything from understanding the role of a Business Analyst and comparing Agile and Waterfall methodologies to mastering requirements-gathering techniques and UML. You’ll also learn to document and prioritize requirements using various methods and tools like Jira, Confluence, Miro, and Lucidchart. This could be the first step in your journey to becoming a skilled Business Analyst!
Session 1: Introduction to Business Analysis
- Intro to Business Analysis
- The role of a Business Analyst
- Introduction to Agile and Waterfall
- Business Analysis and Agile
Session 2: Understanding Users and Requirements
- Understanding Users and Stakeholders needs
- Requirements Gathering Techniques
- UML (Unified Modelling Language)
- User Stories and Use Cases
Session 3: Documenting and Prioritising Requirements
- Writing clear and concise requirements
- Functional and non-functional requirements
- Prioritising requirements
- MoSCoW method, Kano analysis, Impact/Effort matrix
Session 4: Business Analysis Tools and Techniques
- Intro to tools and software
- Jira and Confluence, Miro and Lucidchart
- What next?
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND UNTIL 10.12.24
Free and open to all CFG Members
INTRO TO INTERACTIVE WEBSITES
Create your first interactive website using front-end languages: HTML, CSS and JavaScript in this MOOC Sprint!
Session 1: Intro to Web Development and HTML
- Web Development with HTML, CSS and JavaScript
- HTML Structure and Elements
- HTML Boilerplate code
- Coding Practice: Building the foundations of your website
Session 2: Intro to CSS and Responsiveness
- CSS Structure and Syntax
- Common CSS properties
- Responsive Design and Mobile First Development
- Coding Practice: Styling your first website and linking CSS to HTML
Session 3: JavaScript Interactivity
- Introduction to JavaScript
- JavaScript Input, Events and Functions
- Buttons, Navigation Bar, Forms
- Coding practice: Interactivity
Session 4: Improving User Experience
- UI and UX
- Site map and user journey
- Accessibility guidelines
- SEO
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND UNTIL 11.12.24
Free and open to all CFG Members
INTRO TO MACHINE LEARNING
Machine Learning (ML) plays an important role in the future of tech. Being able to process huge data sets, look for patterns, whilst continuously learning and improving is the essence of AI & ML. Throughout this MOOC Sprint, you’ll be exposed to key concepts to build your knowledge.
Session 1: Introduction to Machine Learning
- What is Machine Learning?
- Testing and Training Data
- The ML Landscape
- Useful Skills for the ML World
Session 2: Type of ML and Python for Machine Learning
- Supervised Machine Learning Overview
- Unsupervised Machine Learning Overview
- Reinforcement Machine Learning Overview
- Python for Machine Learning
Session 3: K-Nearest Neighbour
- Introduction to K-Nearest Neighbour
- Uses of KNN
- Python Implementation of KNN
Session 4: Linear Regression
- Introduction to Linear Regression
- Uses of Linear Regression
- Using Linear Regression with Python
- Introduction to Neural Networks
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND UNTIL 16.12.24
Free and open to all CFG Members
ASSESSMENTS INC. HACKERRANK
Have an upcoming Tech Assessment but don’t know how to go about it? Is it your first assessment and you don’t have a clue how to practice? Look no further, our Assessment MOOC is here! We will be taking you through the ins and outs of the interview process and the different types of assessments available so you are well-equipped. Gain experience in using HackerRank as our instructors guide you through the platform and try out some practice questions.
Session 1: Introduction to Assessments
- Tech industry interview process
- Non-coding assessments
- Coding assessments and types
Session 2: Introduction to Assessments Platforms
- LeetCode
- Codewars
- HackerRank
- HackerRank new AI features
Session 3: HackerRank: Completing assessments pt. 1
- How to use the platform for practice
- How do you get input and produce the expected output
- How to work through a problem – Python, JavaScript, SQL (or instructors choice)
Session 4: HackerRank: Completing assessments pt. 2
- HackerRank for assessments
- HackerRank top tips for assessments
- Getting the most out of HackerRank
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND UNTIL 19.12.24
Free and open to all CFG Members
INTRO TO CODING
Coding is how we communicate with computers! If you want to dip your toe into the world of programming, this MOOC is perfect for you.
Each week, you’ll get an overview of different elements of coding and a great foundation to start building upon your knowledge further. It could be the first step in your journey to getting into tech!
Session 1: What is coding and why is it important?
- Intro to coding
- Compiler vs Interpreter
- Low level vs High-level programming language
- Basic concepts of computer programming, such as variables
- Different types of data types – Integer, Floating points (Decimals), Booleans
Session 2: Different forms of Data Structures
- Operators in programming- +,-,*,/,%,&,|, >,<,!,~, etc
- Strings
- Lists or Arrays
- Associated arrays such as Dictionary, Maps
Session 3: Control Structures and Functions
- Conditional Statements – If, Else if and Else
- Loops – for, while, do-while and their basic structure
- Commonly used keywords with Loops- break, continue, pass
- Functions
Session 4: Errors, Types of Errors and Error Handling
- Syntax errors, logic errors, runtime errors
- How to troubleshoot and debug code
- Art of Pseudocode and making flowchart
- A small taste of how to write simple programs in a programming language, such as Python
MOOCS
FAQS
Yes, our MOOC Sprints are the perfect “coding for beginners” option. These 100% free MOOC sessions will introduce you to in-demand tech concepts, languages, and other key skills, providing a great introduction to coding.
MOOC Sprints will give you a great taste of key tech topics – from UX/UI to bug fixing, languages to CVs and applications. After each session, you complete a quick quiz on the topic to earn your certificate on completion.
The CFG Massive Open Online Courses come in two forms – our MOOC Sprints and our MOOC Challenges. Both are great for beginners or those with some tech knowledge and know-how! These 100% free MOOC sessions will introduce you to in-demand tech concepts, languages, and other key skills.
Our MOOC Sprints are a 1-hour session each week over four weeks and will give you a great taste of key tech topics – from UX/UI to bug fixing, languages to CVs and applications. After each session, you will need to complete a quick quiz on the topic.
These sessions are recorded and can be watched later, however, to get the most out of the sessions, we recommend attending live to take part in interactive tasks and engage with the instructors. Those who complete the MOOC Sprint within the initial time frame (usually 6 weeks) will receive a certification.
Our MOOC Challenges come after the Sprints and allow members to take part in a challenge – our mini ‘Hackathon’ to test their knowledge and skills. Both MOOC Sprints and Challenges are great for CFG members at any level – from beginner to more advanced.
Yes, all our courses are 100% free! Our MOOCs are a great place to start and sessions will introduce you to in-demand tech concepts, languages, and other key skills.
MOOC stands for Massive Open Online Courses. They are free and taught online by our friendly Code First Girls instructors. You can join them live or can catch up on-demand and they are suitable for anyone over 18+ wishing to get started in tech, or brush up on their skills.
Our MOOC Sprints are short coding courses with a 1-hour session a week, for four weeks. After the sprint, you can then choose to take part in a MOOC Challenge, – our mini ‘Hackathon’ to test your knowledge and skills.
Other questions? Visit our knowledge base for more information.