Is your ideal online course synchronous – requiring you to be present for a virtual lecture on a fixed schedule? Or, is it asynchronous – providing pre-recorded materials to review on your own time? Knowing which model works best for you can help you get the most out of your next online course or program.

"The two questions that companies are asking themselves now is: 'Are my workers set up for success?' and 'Do they have the skills they need to keep up with increasingly new and complex technological changes?'”

In the past 18 months, most of us have experienced what happens when supply chains falter. In a recent webinar, Dr. Chris Caplice, Executive Director of the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics and Dr. Bruce Cameron, Director of MIT's System Architecture Lab, discussed how the pandemic called attention to the interconnectedness of supply chains and the value of a systems thinking approach for professionals working in supply chain design and management.

Did you know that MIT xPRO hosts free live webinars and Q&As, led by MIT faculty and instructors? These virtual presentations detail the ins-and-outs of MIT xPRO's courses and programs and cover special topics in emerging technology and workforce education. Join MIT instructors to explore topics like systems thinking, supply chain management, additive manufacturing, machine learning, and more in these upcoming webinars:.

Seven Networking Tips for online learners, from MIT and beyond - For working professionals and job hunters, building a professional networking has historically been a key selling point for investment in traditional in-person continuing education or workforce training. This focus on networking is not surprising, considering that 80% of jobs are filled through personal and professional connections.

It's easy to get overwhelmed by all of the free educational webinars and online learning resources available today. The good news is that it only takes an hour to gain new insights from MIT faculty on the latest topics in emerging technology and workforce learning.

“Asynchronous options open up learning to a much larger audience. Imagine having exposure to thousands of other learners, rather than fewer than 30. Or getting to learn from experts all around the globe. This brings greater diversity of experience and perspective.” -- Egor Matveyev, Sr. Lecturer and Research Scientist in Finance at the MIT Sloan School of Management

There’s a story that John Wass likes to tell to illustrate the value of systems thinking. A CEO is holding the end of quarter meeting with their executive team. They go around the table, and everyone proudly reports that they’ve hit their KPIs. There’s just one problem. The CEO hasn’t achieved the company’s overall profitability goals. “Why,” the CEO asks, “Am I not doing great when all of you are?”

Drawing on examples from manufacturing, retail and healthcare sectors, The Workforce Education Project's “roadmap for change” preliminary report from MIT Open Learning studied workforce challenges in the U.S. and developed case studies of how organizations are facing these challenges. The report presents a path forward to help expand both educational and job opportunities in the context of today’s workforce environment and demands.

There are more online learning resources to choose from than ever before. If you’re looking to learn emerging technologies or prepare your workforce for digital transformation an informational webinar can help you explore the content, structure, and learning outcomes of a prospective online course. Explore online courses and programs in topics like additive manufacturing, leadership, machine learning, negotiation, systems engineering, and quantum computing. Register to view any of the MIT-faculty led on-demand webinars below.