The Best Free Training

Topic: Science behind normal mechanisms of weight control and how weight loss diets are constructed and work
Format: PDF files of slides from lectures; suggested readings and reference list
Reviewer/email: Mike G – greers_pm@yahoo.com

Ever wonder if your diet or weight loss strategy is scientifically defensible? In this free course from one of the top medical institutions in America (Johns Hopkins) you will “examine the science behind normal mechanisms of weight control, and how weight loss diets are constructed and work.” You will also find suggestions for conducting your own research project related to diets and dietary supplements.

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Topic: Nanotechnology and associated ethical, legal, medical, business, environmental, and social issues
Format: Website with 27 short videos and 29-page text/PDF guide
Reviewer/email: Mike G – greers_pm@yahoo.com

From the website: “Nanotechnology [will mean] a scientific transformation… whose influence will probably rival the combined effects that electricity, antibiotics, and computers have had on our lives… But along with the potential benefits of nano-science come difficult ethical, legal, medical, business, environmental, and social dilemmas…” In Nanotechnology: The Power of Small, a three-part Fred Friendly Seminars series for PBS, you can learn more about and engage these issues.

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Topic: Basic principles and concepts related to physical security, loss control and crime prevention
Format: Lecture notes, text readings, assignments, and online discussion boards [course textbook is NOT free]
Reviewer/email: Mike G – greers_pm@yahoo.com

Are you considering a career in the fast-growing security field? This free course from Weber State University will provide you with a comprehensive look at the many dimensions of this field. There are two ways to use the course: 1) Simply review the online lecture notes and obtain a broad overview of each facet of the field, or 2) Buy the textbook (around $50 – 75), then complete all the readings referenced in the lecture notes and go a little deeper. Either way, you’ll get a well-structured, practical overview of the field.

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Topic: self help (transforming your consciousness, improving your life, improving Earth)
Format: Online audios and PDF transcripts (available in series, as produced, now through September 3)
Reviewer/email: Mike G – greers_pm@yahoo.com

“Seven world-famous spiritual teachers reveal powerful information and practical steps you can take right now to experience the spiritual awakening described by Eckhart Tolle in A New Earth, The Power of Now, and his online lessons with Oprah.” This free online course from Bill Harris and Centerpointe Research Institute will help you learn Tolle’s “transformational power of the Now and how you can experience it.” (NOTE: Enrollment is limited, first-come, first-served.)

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Topic: Introduction to global capital markets (financial intermediaries, security markets, organized trading exchanges, capitalization structure, etc.)
Format: Text lessons, graphics, animations, online forum discussions
Reviewer/email: Mike G – greers_pm@yahoo.com

Are you frightened by recent news stories on the potential for world-wide financial melt-down? This free course from UC Irvine and National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) focuses on “… global capital markets… financial intermediaries…security markets, organized exchanges for stock and bond securities trading… capitalization structure… mechanics of the buy-side/sell-side, the role of investment bankers” and many more related — and timely topics! So take this course and teach yourself what you need to know to make better financial decisions in these difficult times.

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Topic: How to design, operate, and profitably run a spa (hospitality operation)
Format: Text lessons, graphics, animations, quizzes, in-depth case study, audios,
Reviewer/email: Mike G – greers_pm@yahoo.com

This free course from UC Irvine is well-designed, visually appealing, and loaded with good information! From the course introduction: “This course is designed to demystify spa operations and provide a clear strategic overview of the knowledge and tools necessary to establish and run a profitable spa.” If you are considering starting your own spa, or simply thinking about working in spa management, this course will provide you with plenty of perspective and nitty-gritty details about what’s involved in successful spa design and operation.

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Topic: SAT exam & test preparation
Format: Text descriptions, graphics, quizzes, sample questions w/feedback & solutions
Reviewer/email: Mike G – greers_pm@yahoo.com

From the website: “SAT Skills Insight is a free tool to help you get a score that really shows your abilities. It identifies the types of skills that are tested on the SAT with sample test questions so that you can do your best if you’re taking the SAT for the first time, or if you got your SAT scores and are thinking, ‘I want to do better than that.’” This is a well-designed, interactive series of online activities that should be part of anyone’s preparation for the SAT Exam.

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