Let's Learn Tech Online

These free, interactive, and self-paced online courses from Cisco Networking Academy, including the Skills for All learning platform, will introduce you to important technology concepts and help you develop the skills necessary to participate in the modern workforce.

If you are interested in taking these courses with other learners and our staff facilitators, check out the Let's Learn Tech learning circles.

• Available Courses
• Available Career Pathways
• What You Need
• How to Enroll
• Frequently Asked Questions

Available courses

Available Career Pathways

• 

  Cybersecurity Pathway

  Cybersecurity skills and credentials are in high demand, as jobs in the field of cybersecurity continue to grow. This pathway will prepare you for an entry-level cybersecurity job and is certification aligned with the IT Specialist – Cybersecurity certification through Certiport. Pathway courses are listed below

  Estimated time required: 180 hours

What You Need

• A computer and an internet connection
• An up-to-date browser (Google Chrome is recommended)
• An account at Cisco Networking Academy. This account is created when you enroll for your first course. You will need to provide some personal information. Please refer to their Privacy Statement and Terms and Conditions (PDF) for more information.
• Some courses require additional software installation. Detailed information will be stated in the course description on the enrollment page.

How to Enroll

If you want to enroll in Linux Unhatched, Linux Essentials, JavaScript, and/or Python Essentials:

1. Click on the link of the course you would like to take from the list above.
2. Type your first name, last name and email address in the input field under the heading Enroll Now and click the Submit button. If you are a returning student, you can sign into your NetAcad account and your email address will be pre-populated on the course enrollment page.
3. New students will receive an email with the account activation link from Networking Academy Team (noreply@netacad.com) with the subject line "Get Started with Cisco Networking Academy". Be sure to check your junk mail or spam folders. You will need to provide some personal information to create an account.
4. You will receive an email confirmation from the email address noreply@cisco.com confirming that you have successfully created an account.
5. Log into your NetAcad account and the course should be on your landing page.

To enroll in any of the other courses offered:

• If this is your first time taking a Cisco Networking Academy course, you will first need to create an account:
  1. Go to Cisco's NetAcad Create Account page and fill out the online form.
  2. Sign in to the email address you used to register for a Cisco Networking Academy account. Follow the instructions for activating your account.
  3. Once you've created your account, follow the enrollment instructions below.
• If you already have a Networking Academy account, or you have just created one:
  1. Click on the link of the course you would like to take. You will automatically be taken to the course landing page on Skills for All.
  2. Click the green "Get Started" button.
  3. Click on the blue "Cisco NetAcad" button, on the lower right-hand side of the screen.

  4. a) If this is your first time on the Skills for All platform, you will need to fill out the "Sign Up" form. Once you have done so, select the green "Continue" button. Then Agree to the Terms & Conditions and select the green "Accept & Continue" button

     b) If you already completed the "Sign Up" form on Skills for All, simply click the green "Get Started" button.

  5. You will see an "Enrollment Successful" message

If you want to follow the Cybersecurity Pathway:

1. If you do not already have one, create a Cisco Networking Academy account by visiting Cisco's NetAcad Create Account page and filling out the online form.

   Sign in using the email address you used to register for a Cisco Networking Academy account. Follow the instructions for activating your account.

   Once you have created your account, follow the enrollment instructions below.

2. Select a course from the Cybersecurity Pathway. We recommend starting with Introduction to Cybersecurity.
3. On the Skills for All course landing page, click on the green "Get Started" button. Click on the blue "Cisco NetAcad" button, on the lower right-hand side of the screen.

4. If this is your first time on the Skills for All platform, you will need to fill out the "Sign Up" form. Once you have done so, select the green "Continue" button. Then Agree to the Terms & Conditions and select the green "Accept & Continue" button.

   If you already completed the "Sign Up" form on Skills for All, simply click the green "Get Started" button.

5. You will see an "Enrollment Successful" message.
6. Once you have enrolled in any of the above Cybersecurity Pathway courses, you will be automatically enrolled in the Cybersecurity Career Pathway. You can verify this by going to the Catalog on Skills for All and selecting "Career Path: Cybersecurity." On the landing page, you should see the following message: "Career path in progress."

Frequently Asked Questions

I don't know anything about computers or the internet. Can I take these courses?

There are no prerequisites to these courses but learners are expected to have good understanding of computers and the internet.

How many courses can I take?

There is no limit to the number of courses you can take, and you can take a course as many times as you need in order to complete it.

Do I need a library card to take these courses?

If you are self-enrolling in these courses, you will not require a Toronto Public Library card. You will only require a valid library card if you would like to join an online Let's Learn Tech Learning Circle.

For information on how to get a library card, see Your Library Card. If you already have a card, or have had a library card in the past, but are not sure if it is still active, visit Expired Library Cards or Lost Library Card for more information.

How do the courses work?

Courses consist of content modules, assessments (e.g. quizzes) and an end of course feedback form. Some courses include hands-on assignments and lab exercises. If you have a question during a class, you can email networkingacademy@tpl.ca. You can continue accessing all course materials but you cannot submit assignments, quizzes or exams after the course ends.

How to get started on a course?

For Linux Unhatched, Linux Essentials, JavaScript and Python Essentials you will see a button to launch course module after you enroll in the course. You can also log on to your account and start the course by clicking on the course title under the I'm Learning tab.

For all other courses on the Skills for All platform, if you are already signed into your account, simply click on the green “Get Started” button on the course landing page. Otherwise, sign into your account, then click on the My Learning tab at the top and click on the course you would like to start working through.

Can I drop a course part way through?

You can contact networkingacademy@tpl.ca if you wish to drop a course that is in progress. You will no longer be able to access the class again unless you enroll in a future session.

Is technical support available?

You can email us at networkingacademy@tpl.ca and we will respond to you within 3 business days. Technical requirements for each course are listed on the enrollment page.

Can I use Let's Learn Tech courses on a library computer?

Course modules can be accessed on a library computer. Some courses, such as Introduction to Cybersecurity and Introduction to IoT, have lab sessions that involve installing additional applications and cannot be completed on a library computer.

Does the library provide the software covered by the Let's Learn Tech courses?

No, however all softwares used in Let's Learn Tech courses are open-sourced or have free trial versions available. Details of individual software requirements can be found in course modules.

How can I get help with the courses?

• Email us at networkingacademy@tpl.ca with your questions
• For courses on the NetAcad.com platform, including Linux Unhatched, Linux Essentials, JavaScript and Python essentials, questions can be sent using the Networking Academy Messages page found on the left hand side of the course homepage