Online Learning Resources
This page includes some free or low-cost online learning resources we recommend. As with any work-related purchase or training, make sure you have supervisor approval and support.
Below are our current Online Learning Resources in alphabetical order within each category listed.
- City Operations
- Communications
- External Learning Libraries
- Leadership Development
- Microsoft
- Miscellaneous
- Productivity
- Racial Equity & Social Justice
- Retirement
- Wellness
If you need technical support with any of them, please communicate with the provider listed.
Learn More About City Operations by Department
Description: In 2023, Common Council worked with Department Heads and Management Teams to pull together a library of agency overview videos and resources for Alders to learn from as they join the Council.
For each agency, there are the following videos: Agency Introduction, Agency Budget Overview, and Agency Frequently Asked Questions + Answers.
While these videos are primarily aimed at Alder knowledge building, these are accessible to all City Employees, and offer a comprehensive overview of City operations.
Cost: Free
Access the Resource: Alder Onboarding Videos
Additional Topics You'll Find Here:
- Robert's Rules of Order Presentation + Handout (see Attorney's Office)
Semantics vs. Substance in Writing
Description: Do you find yourself spending too much time on semantics, and not enough time on substance (when writing or talking about your work? Watch this 4-minute video as a reminder to focus on the substance, and how to format your sentences in a succinct way.
Cost: Free
Access the Resource: Talking about Performance (Without Complicating It)
HR.com
Description: You can peruse their library of many webinars - both live and on-demand to help you learn valuable skills for the workplace. And, while the title of the website is "HR", you can find many learning opportunities for the broader workplace - not just HR!
Cost: Most courses are free.
Access the Resource: HR.com
- Note, HR.com requires you to create a free account.
Subject Categories:
- Communication
- Continuous Improvement
- Customer Service
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Leadership & Management
LinkedIn Learning
Description: Best for on-demand access to a diverse catalog of courses, less academic content.
Cost: Free 30-day trial. Credit card required (not charged until after trial expires).
Access the Resource: LinkedIn Learning
Subject Categories:
- Communication
- Continuous Improvement
- Customer Service
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Leadership & Management
SkillShare
Description: A more boutique option than others, open-source content that is not curated so the quality varies.
Cost: Free 7-day trial. Sign-in required. Credit card required (not charged until after trial expires).
Access the Resource: SkillShare
Udemy
Description: You can find how-to's for many other common applications here as well.
Cost: Free, with paid options for courses and certifications.
Access the Resource: Udemy
- Note: A sign-in is required.
Intentional Leaders Podcast
Description: The Intentional Leaders Podcast will help you learn how to become a confident, successful, and focused leader who manages with purpose and impact. Cyndi’s purpose is to equip leaders with the tools, resources, and support to accomplish your goals. Learn when you want, how you want. Each week you’ll focus on relevant, applicable, and easy to implement skills and practices – to create focus and a deliberate path to employee engagement and business needs. Leadership has its challenges, but learning to lead shouldn’t be one of them.
Cost: Free
Access the Resource: Intentional Leaders Podcast
Subject Categories:
- Communication
- Leadership & Management
Excel Easy
Description: This website offers tutorials on all things Microsoft Excel. You'll find an overview of chapters - like the basics, functions, data analysis, etc. Along with examples and step-by-step instructions on how to utilize the many features to be a more efficient and effective Excel user.
Cost: Free
Access the Resource: Excel Easy
Subject Categories:
- Microsoft Excel
Microsoft + M365 Support
Description: Brief, modular video tutorials for all levels of learning, limited to Microsoft products only.
Cost: Free
Access the Resource:
- Internal IT Support
- Multi-Factor Authentication
- Email Security Settings
- Incident & Service Request Forms
- Internal Learn M365
- Your go-to place for learning all-things M365
Additional Tips & Tricks:
- Removing Automatic Teams Meeting Links in Outlook (University of Maryland Job Aid)
Microsoft Cheat-Sheets
Description: You can find how-to's for many other common applications here as well.
Cost: Free
Access the Resource:
Subject Categories:
- Microsoft
Microsoft OneNote
Description: Become familiar with Microsoft OneNote with this helpful how-to-get-started with OneNote Guide!
Cost: Free
Access the Resource:
Home Buyer Education Class
Description: The City of Madison, in partnership with the Home Buyers Round Table of Dane County and Consumer Credit Counseling Service, want to share with you these HUD Approved Homebuyer Education classes occurring monthly through the rest of 2023 (click here to view an informational flyer).
Cost: Free
Access the Resource: Home Buyer Education Class
Voter Registration
Description: The City of Madison encourages all employees to understand how voter registration works, where voters can register, and to encourage employees to actively share this information in customer service interactions with the folks they serve.
The Clerk's Office is available for more direct training, reach out to Clerk@cityofmadison.com.
Cost: Free
Access the Resource: Voter Registration
Email Hacks and Time Management Tips
Description: This learning resource includes tips and tricks to effectively organize your inbox and manage your time. You'll find step-by-step guides on how to use built-in Outlook features like rules, flags, and categories, along with other general tips to organize your workdays.
Cost: Free
Access the Resource: Email Hacks and Time Management Tips
Additional Tips & Tricks:
- Removing Automatic Teams Meeting Links in Outlook (University of Maryland Job Aid)
Getting Things Done Miniseries
Description: This miniseries is designed to help folks gain control of the busyness of life, reduce stress, improve focus, and generally - how to get things done. There are three, ~five minute videos and a worksheet that goes with each, received over the span of a few days. This resource is great for folks who need somewhere to start when it comes to learning about being productive.
Cost: Free
Access the Resource: Getting Things Done Miniseries
- Note, a sign-in with email is required, and Chrome is the best browser to use for access.
Subject Categories:
- Productivity
Time Management
Cost: Free
Access the Resource:
- Time Management Tips YouTube Video
- Work Smarter not Harder: 7 Time Management Strategies for Increased Productivity YouTube Video
How to Help Employees with Disabilities Thrive
Description: What can we do to make workplaces more welcoming to people living with disabilities? Representation advocate, Tiffany Yu, shares three ways that employers can change and tap into every worker's skills and gifts.
Also visit TED.com to view an entire library of TED talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations, and more.
Cost: Free
Access the Resource: How to Help Employees with Disabilities Thrive
Subject Categories:
- Diversity & Inclusion
Language Access Program
Description: The Language Access Program works to provide meaningful, equitable access to City services to individuals with a primary language other than English. Members of the public deserve and have a right to accommodations, translations, and interpretation for City services, free of cost. Please review the linked page above about the services provided and how to request them.
Cost: Free
Access the Resource: Language Access Program
Racial Equity and Social Justice Learning Resources
Description: Department of Civil Rights curated list of learning resources for
Racial Equity and Social Justice.
Cost: Free
Access the Resources: Civil Rights RESJI Learning Resources
ETF Retirement Videos and Webinars
Description: Whether you are a new employee learning about your WRS retirement benefits, a member planning to retire or a retiree, ETF has the information you need to have a successful retirement.
Cost: Free
Access the Resource: ETF Videos and Live Webinars
Subject Categories:
Retirement
EAP Courses, Webinars, and Assessments
Description: You can find short courses, live and recorded webinars, and personal assessments on our external EAP's website. Content includes topics like conflict resolution, mindfulness, stress management, perseverance, and team building for managers.
Cost: Free
Access the Resource: EAP Courses, Webinars, and Assessments
- Follow these Instructions for Accessing EAP Courses to log in.
Subject Categories:
- Conflict Resolution
- Customer Service
- Wellness