New technologies are evolving at such a rapid pace that annual predictions are often out of date when published in news or articles.
These technological advances are the main engines of innovation and progress in various areas of humanity: from the sciences, to the arts and governments.
New technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and video games are essential to think about the digital transformations that we hope to see in the coming years.
That’s why it makes sense that, according to IDC’s Semi-Annual Guide to Digital Transformation, global annual spending on digital transformation technologies and services is expected to grow by 10.4% in 2020.
Even with the pandemic crisis, this is quite a significant growth (in 2019 the figure was 17.9%).
The numbers only confirm what we experience on a daily basis: the application of new technologies is growing at an accelerated rate and that is why the market increasingly needs more professionals specialized in the development of these new technologies.
New technologies for a new world
Although professional careers do not grow at the same rate as their applications in the real world, without a doubt, traditional institutions and virtual courses are constantly evolving and updating.
Next we will explain what are some of these new technologies, why it is advisable to study them and where you can do it.
Keep in mind that the courses and diplomas that we present to you in this guide require, for the most part, a tuition investment.
Data Science
Data science is a field of study that combines programming skills and knowledge in mathematics and statistics in order to extract conclusions or information from data sets.
Data scientists apply machine learning to numerical data, or text, images, videos, audios, among others; to produce artificial intelligence systems that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.
These systems are capable of generating conclusions (or “insights”) that analysts then translate into valuable data for businesses, organizations or scientists.
More and more companies are realizing the great importance of data science and artificial intelligence.
No matter what the industry or the size of the business, brands that want to excel must be up to date with their capabilities in data science, which includes the famous Big Data.
Big Data refers to the problems associated with processing and storing different types of data. Most companies use big data analytics to have a clear understanding, among others, about:
- Your clients
- product research
- Marketing initiatives.
Data science has evolved as one of the most promising careers on the market and in demand for professionals. Today’s data scientists know that they must specialize beyond traditional data analysis skills.
Videogame Design
The video game industry is at its peak of evolution to date. People of all ages enjoy them, even in virtual or augmented reality.
Video games allow users to become superhuman soldiers, professional soccer players, or heroes who save the world.
But beyond the enjoyment, video games are quite complex. They require a “storyline” or a narrative, similar to a movie or a series.
It also takes millions of lines of code that make up all aspects of the game: maps, characters, music, visual and sound effects, etc. These elements exist thanks to video game designers , who are responsible for the content and environment of the games.
Although the names can be confused, game developers and designers have different tasks.
The game design includes the creation of:
- New game concepts.
- Game mechanics.
- Narratives or storylines.
For their part, video game developers are in charge of building the game: programming and animations, among other aspects.
Both specialties are highly demanded by game development brands around the world.
Blockchain
Many people think of the blockchain and immediately relate it to cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin. But this technology has many other applications that companies and organizations are beginning to use.
In a rather simplified way, blockchain (translated as chain of blocks) is a series of data records that cannot be modified and that are managed by a set of computers.
Each of these data blocks is secure and tied together using specific encryption principles.
Among the different uses of this technology for cryptocurrencies are:
- Shared economy: “point-to-point” payments could be allowed, without the need for the intermediation of banks.
- Government: the blockchain can keep a transparent and public (and unalterable) record of voting data, for example.
- Supply chain audit: with blockchain it is possible to corroborate the legitimacy of the provenance of some products and their ethical practices.
- Protection of intellectual property: Smart contracts can protect copyrights and automate the sale of works online, eliminating the risk of illegal copying or redistribution.
Why study it? Dozens of industries are implementing blockchain and as the use of this technology increases, the demand for professionals in this area also increases.
Blockchain-related jobs are the second fastest growing job class in recent years. It is estimated that for each blockchain developer there are 14 job openings (in the United States). And specifically, the skills with the most demand within blockchain technology are:
- Implementation in Hyper Ledger Fabric.
- Development in Ripple .
- Knowledge in developing smart contracts with Solidity .
Apps development
Internet access from mobile devices surpassed that of computers a few years ago. An average person uses their smartphone on average more than three hours a day.
In 2018, more than 70% of all online traffic originated from mobile devices.
That is why mobile application development is one of the most requested skills in the technology sector.
It refers to the process of writing software that works on mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, and wearables). But app development goes beyond making code in HTML 5 or hybrid applications.
It is also necessary to be strategic when defining, designing, building and launching a successful product.
Competition is a major obstacle in the world of mobile app development. During the first quarter of 2020, there were 2.56 million applications for Android and almost 1.85 million for iOS.
In addition to the large number of applications on the market, mobile apps have quite high failure rates.
That is why it is necessary to have the necessary knowledge and professional experience to complete a successful application. One of the steps to achieve this is to study a course or graduate degree focused on app development.
Marketing Digital
Marketing (or marketing, in Spanish) revolves around connecting audiences with brands. And today the place where audiences are most of the time is on the Internet.
So digital marketing is any form of marketing that exists online. In digital marketing, channels such as search engines, social networks, email, and other websites are used to connect current or potential customers.
Companies know that to be competitive in the market today it is necessary to use digital marketing.
Additionally, this activity requires various sectors of work: from creative to technical. Some of the most requested digital marketing skills are:
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Social media marketing
- Content marketing
According to a report from Marketing Hiring Trends , there is a gap between the demand and supply of marketing professionals. The demand by companies is 59%, while the offer by professionals is only 19%.
And it is estimated that this demand will continue to grow over the years. This is why this is a good time to study digital marketing.
Where to study Data Science
This online Master proposes to teach, from practice, to use all the tools around data science, Big Data and Business Intelligence. In the course, they also learn to use artificial intelligence algorithms through machine learning.
In addition, a certificate of professionalism endorsed by Computerworld University is obtained once the 750 hours of training are completed.
- Diploma in Data Analytics
The Javeriana University of Bogotá offers this diploma that seeks to strengthen students in analytical skills based on data. This through different techniques, challenges and trends in analytics.
The program proposes six modules:
- Introduction.
- Analytical models using structured data
- Specialized analytical models
- Display
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Introduction to Big Data
- School of Data Science in Platzi
Platzi offers a wide variety of courses around data science. You can choose from several sets of courses at different levels. They all end up in a practical project in which the knowledge of each level is applied.
Where to study Video Game Design (and Gamification)
- Gamification course at UPB
This course is designed for teachers who wish to adapt their teaching methods to gamification.
The program is made up of strategies and tools that serve to gamify the activities in class. One of the sections of the course is dedicated to the programming of digital games based on gamification.
2. Specialized program: videogame development and design
This program of courses at the Universidad de los Andes is taught to design and create video games in 2D and 3D. The principles of videogame design and architecture, asset management, animation and publication are presented.
There is also a tour of the video game industry and marketing strategies.
For this program, the Unity video game engine is used and up to three video game prototypes are developed, one of them with original ideas from the student.
3. Design and development of video games in basic Unity
The National University of Medellín offers this face-to-face course for students of systems, design or related programs who already have basic programming knowledge.
The objective is to learn and carry out the entire process of designing, producing and presenting a video game through the Unity engine.
Where to study Blockchain
- Hyperledger development course
This course is focused on the principles of blockchain but in particular it is proposed to use Hyperledger for the development of business applications.
The program seeks to teach the conceptual tools to deploy blockchain as a service in the cloud, execute transactions and interact with the network.
The course is aimed at managers and entrepreneurs interested in learning about and implementing blockchain solutions. It is also intended for developers who want to learn about blockchain.
2. Blockchain for business
This course delves into how blockchain works, both in its technical part and in practice. You will also be able to learn the scope of this technology and how its implementation is taking place in companies and business models.
The program is aimed at people who are interested in learning in detail about blockchain and no previous programming experiences are required because it is a theoretical course.
It is proposed for professionals such as lawyers, businessmen, educators, CTOs, investors, engineers of all branches, economists, financiers, developers, among others.
3. University Expert in Development of Blockchain Applications
This virtual course seeks to introduce anyone to the blockchain ecosystem and thoroughly teach what are the technological solutions and architectures that are being demanded in real projects in the industry.
You can learn the skills to develop software with the most demanding blockchain technologies:
- How Bitcoin and Ethereum work.
- How to mine Bitcoin through Bitcoin Scripting.
- Learn about blockchain networks such as IBM Hyperledger and Alastria.
- How smart contracts work.
- Develop and create tokens or negotiable securities.
Where to study App Development
With this online course you will discover how web apps are made, you will understand their client-server architecture and you will also learn step by step how to make a web application from scratch. The final project of the course is to develop your own social network.
The program contemplates how to use different web technologies such as HTML, CSS, Python, JSON, JavaScript and Ajax together.
During the IT section, Python is programmed for server development and the Flask library is used to create web applications. And for the development of the client interface, JavaScript is used.
2. Create your own mobile applications
NextU offers two mobile app development courses: one for Android programming and the other for iOS.
For both cases, a professional journey is offered to create interactive and successful apps and from basic to advanced knowledge.
For Android, skills are developed in Java for Android, Android Studio and app design (user interfaces, components and user experience).
In the course for iOS app you learn to develop apps with the Swift language, skills in XCode, Autolayout and MVC, Swift UI and View
3. Diploma in mobile application development
This face-to-face diploma from the Universidad Piloto de Colombia covers all the creation of mobile applications from different programming standards, such as HTML5, CSS3 and Javascript.
The course is designed for webmasters, designers with experience in web code development, developers and programmers. It is also suggested to already have experience in:
- Management of Windows and / or Mac OS X operating systems.
- Handling of HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript and / or PHP languages.
- Basic use of server-side languages and technologies such as .NET, JAVA, PHP, Ruby, and Python.
- Handling tools for web composition such as Adobe Dreamweaver.
Where to study Digital Marketing
- Professional in Advertising and Digital Marketing
The Digital University Institution of Antioquia offers this eight-semester degree in which the objective is to train expert professionals in structuring communication plans and implementation of actions based on digital marketing.
It is an online career but with all the professional requirements to apply digital marketing campaigns and advertising communication for all areas of the industry that need this knowledge.
- Certificates in Digital Marketing
NextU offers a set of 12 certificates in Digital Marketing in which you can learn to create and implement digital strategies, improve digital positioning and create solid relationships between consumers and brands.
Skills are developed in:
- Marketing Digital
- Community Manager
- Inbound Marketing
- Web Analytics
- SEO
- SEM
3. Course in Digital Marketing
At the Externado de Colombia University you will find this online course in which it is promised to develop these skills:
- Learn to build your own landing page.
- Increase the visibility of a brand through Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads, YouTube Ads and Google Ads.
- Segment appropriately to quickly reach your target audience.
- Measure user behavior both on social networks and on websites or landing pages and make the right strategic decisions.
Conclusions
- New technologies are advancing rapidly and professionals with skills in these technologies are increasingly needed from the industry.
- Making an investment to study or train in any of these technologies is a wise decision today.
- Those mentioned above are just some of the courses, diplomas, trainings and specializations that we find online. There are hundreds of options both nationally and internationally, in person or online, free, by registration or purchase of certificates.
- There are options for all levels of programming knowledge and experience.
- There are also courses designed for professionals in areas other than engineering or programmers: people interested in knowing how these technologies work and how to apply them to their work areas, even if they are not the ones who finally develop them.