Top 10 Most Popular Coursera Courses in 2018 for technology: The year 2018 was full of conversation and buzz about emerging technologies and how they may replace large workforce. Many experts argued that technologies like machine learning, blockchain, artificial intelligence and robotics will not necessary wipe out the job rather they will force the existing workforce to re-skill themselves. In fact, many have suggested that these new technologies will create new opportunities for individuals and businesses.
According to a recent report from Coursera, an online edTech platform, such a conversation dominated its platform also. The company said that its 3.7 million users in India showed great zeal to learn about technologies like machine learning and blockchain, and demand for skills in these areas, has dominated its platform in 2018.
Courses like Python Data Structures from the University of Michigan; Algorithms, Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies from Princeton University; IBM Blockchain Foundation for Developers from IBM; and Google Cloud Platform Fundamentals: Core Infrastructure from Google Cloud dominated the list of Top 10 Most Popular Coursera Courses in 2018 for technology in India.
According to an online education firm, the following are the key skills that are in demand heading into next year.
Artificial Intelligence
Today, 72% of CEOs regard AI competencies as the most important asset of a company. In turn, the demand for talent with advanced AI skills like machine learning and deep learning continues to increase. But as more engineers gain this technical knowledge, a new skills gap is forming. Now, Coursera says it is seeing demand from non-technical company leaders across industries to understand how to they can align their long-term business strategies with today's AI capabilities. This foundational knowledge will only become more important to executives next year, as AI continues to dominate business plans around the globe.
Data Science
Coursera says that as web and mobile platforms remain ubiquitous, data science persists as a lucrative skillset across industries. McKinsey forecasts that in the coming year, the U.S. will experience a shortage of 1.5 million managers and analysts who can use big data to make effective decisions. A key lever to accessing those roles is understanding Python as it relates to data science. Predicted to be one of the fastest-growing programming languages of 2019, Python is critical for both traditional data roles as well as computer and data science-related jobs in emerging technology sectors like cryptocurrency, information technology, and web development.
Industry applied skills
When it comes to applied skills, the world's leading experts aren't just found on university campuses. Coursera also partners with industry leaders like Google, Intel, IBM, and deeplearning to bring to learners high-demand industry skills that complement foundational content from our university partners. Most innovative companies are also becoming committed educators and creating new jobs in the process. A great example is the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. With IT support roles in high demand and expected to grow 10% in the United States by 2026, Google's Certificate is designed to help anyone, without any prior training or degree, get ready to become an IT Support Specialist in just 8 to 12 months.
Industry skills have emerged as a focus for employers and individual learners alike in recent years. In addition to IT, other industry skills that dominated this year ranged from cloud to blockchain to deep learning. If this year is any indication, demand for industry-backed credentials will continue into next year.
Health
Employment of healthcare occupations is projected to grow 18 per cent from 2016 to 2026; that's about 2.4 million new jobs, more than any other occupational group. This year, Coursera partnered with the University of Michigan and the Imperial College of London to launch master's degree programs that address this growing need. Next year, it's important that companies and universities alike rally around this sector to help learners around the globe gain the skills they need to fill new jobs.
Learning how to learn
AI, data science, and industry skills may have been the most in-demand this past year, but it's impossible to know if these same skills will dominate the market in the coming five to ten years. In order to prepare for what we cannot anticipate, we must become lifelong learners. Learning how to learn is the key to lifelong career success in today's dynamic workforce, says Coursera.
The conversation around artificial intelligence and automation dominated 2018, bringing with it noisy and totalizing predictions for what the future of work holds for us. As we head into another year of rapid advancement, one prediction feels inarguable: businesses, jobs and, skills are evolving rapidly, and it's more important than ever to prepare ourselves for this accelerating change, says Coursera.
Top 10 Most Popular Coursera Courses in 2018 for technology (India)
Rank |
Course |
University |
| 1 | Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) | University of Michigan |
| 2 | Algorithms, Part I | Princeton University |
| 3 | Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies | Princeton University |
| 4 | Python Data Structures | University of Michigan |
| 5 | Introduction to Programming with MATLAB | Vanderbilt University |
| 6 | Build Your First Android App (Project-Centered Course) | CentraleSupélec |
| 7 | IBM Blockchain Foundation for Developers | IBM |
| 8 | Algorithmic Toolbox | University of California, San Diego |
| 9 | Using Python to Access Web Data | University of Michigan |
| 10 | Google Cloud Platform Fundamentals: Core Infrastructure | Google Cloud |
