10 Online Courses To Help You Master Animation, Songwriting & More Before CB Ends

There is a glimmer of hope that the Circuit Breaker (CB) will end by 1st June 2020. We are about two weeks away till we are able to meet up with family and friends in person again. However, we foresee topics of discussions would be: “how did you spend your CB time?” or “did you learn a new skill during this time?”.

 

 

It is not a race to pick up a new skill during this period but if you are at home most of the time, see this break as an added incentive for you to learn something new or upgrade your current skill set with various online courses available right now.

Decide what you really want from an online course, whether is it to obtain a certification to aid you in your next job search or simply learning something that you’ve wanted to try out for a long time.

Here are 10 online courses that you’ll be able to say ‘I did that!’ after CB ends.

 

1. Digital Marketing by Google

 

Wouldn’t it be super cool to have ‘Google’ in your resume? A company like Google will definitely get you some attention from head-hunters and job recruiters. Google is offering students a chance to learn the fundamentals of digital marketing, and help grow their business or career. Learn to differentiate your SEO from your SEM, the dos and don’ts of a website design, as well as learning how to build an online presence for yourself or your company.

The course consists of 26 modules prepared by Google trainers with and when you pass the test, you will be able to download a PDF copy of the certification of completion. Yes, that means you can officially boast to your social media world that you are ‘Google-certified’.

 

2. Learn Mandarin (for primary school students)

 

Thumbs Up, a Chinese student publication by SPH is releasing a series of Chinese-language videos targeted at primary school students. The videos feature journalists and educators talking about school life, reading articles as well as giving children Chinese lessons. There are storytelling sessions from The Theatre Practice and interactive activities for kids to do during the school holidays.

 

3. Learn How to Animate by Pixar

 

Pixar Animation Studio has teamed up with Khan Academy to release a series of videos teaching you how the pros do it to create some of your favourite features films like ‘Up’, ‘Finding Dory, ‘Inside Out’ etc. The best part? It’s all free!

In this free course, you will be able to learn the art of storytelling, animation, lighting and hair stimulation from Pixar creators. Even if you don’t intend to carve a career in animation, this inside look how hundreds of creators work together for years to complete a story well-loved by millions around the world.

 

4. Tarot Reading

 

Whether you believe in the spiritual realm, tarot card reading has been around for many years, giving readers an insight to their state of mind and a peek into the future. Many people seek out answers through various mediums like astrology, aura reading, feng shui and tarot cards.

If you have your own deck and want to learn how to be able to read your fate, sign up with local tarot practitioner, YQ who will teach you to understand the meanings behind the Rider-Waite Major Arcana and Minor Arcana cards through online workshops, her blog and videos.

Alternatively, you can always do a quick check on YouTube and there are hundreds of videos out there to get you started on your tarot reading journey. If you are aural learner, then give the podcast: ‘Biddy Tarot’ a listen!

 

5. Facebook for Beginners

 

Yes, Facebook has its own online course and certification. There are many money-making opportunities on Facebook and Instagram – just think about the influencers who are churning big bucks from just one selfie. Sounds like something you’d like to go into? The Facebook Blueprint offers free, self-paced courses on Facebook and Instagram advertising. There are various topics to choose from to build your digital marketing knowledge.

 

6. Dance

 

Bust some moves and dance like nobody’s watching. Let’s all admit that we can move and we can dance, just not at a performance level that some of our friends are. However, now that you’re stuck at home or in your room most of the time, why not let those limbs get some exercise and learn the grooves of your favourite dance! From hip-hop to popping, street jazz to ballet, there are so many genres of dance styles out there to pick up.

From now till 3rd June, *Scape will be hosting a series of online videos by local youth dancers DoubleDee, Syaril, Jojo and Bobby, who will be grooving with you through Facebook live each week. You can also check out these recorded jazz/ballet classes by Hollywood studio Edge Performing Arts Center.

 

 

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7. Get Crafty

 

Let your hands to the talking. Remember our article on those gorgeous-looking pictures by Singaporean crafters? If that has ignited a crafty spark in you to start something new, try Bluprint, a monthly subscription site and app for crafters and hobbyists of all skill levels to learn or upgrade their craft. There are also preview (aka free) video lessons available on the website, ranging from quilt-making, knitting, sewing, drawing and even baking-related tutorials!

 

8. Write Your Own Movie

 

After bingeing on all the Netflix, Viu, HBO and other screening platforms, are you inspired to write your own movie or TV series? The University of East Anglia (via FutureLearn) is offering its prestigious creative writing programme online for free! If you are new to script-writing or someone who always thought your life would be a good script for a drama series, this is the time to put those imaginations into writing.

 

9. Songwriting

 

Perhaps writing a movie script sounds too daunting, how about trying your hands a songwriting instead! There is a songwriter in all of us that is lurking somewhere inside. Translate those emotions and feelings inside your heart to words and learn how to string them into a melody. Berklee College of Music is offering a free course (via Coursera) called ‘Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics’ for all the aspiring musicians, lyricists and superstars out there.

 

10. Game Design

 

If you love playing games like Pokemon, Super Mario Bros, Flappy Bird, Legend of Zelda, and would like to know more about the creation of these games, then this free online course ‘Introduction to Game Development’ is tailored for you – by Harvard, no less. Learn via lectures and hands-on projects to get a deeper insight of how 2D and 3D games are created and explore the ins and outs of game development.

How are spending your time at home? Hang in there! COVID-19 will be game over soon.