Going back to school can bring a mix of excitement and nerves whether you are a student starting a new school year or a working engineer learning a new tool. There are new subjects to tackle, new instructors to meet, and maybe a little uncertainty about what to expect.
That is where the RISA Learning Center comes in. Think of this as your first-day orientation: we will show you where to go, introduce you to the instructors, and walk through what training looks like before, during, and after the class.
The RISA Learning Center is the hub for online training courses designed to help you master RISA software. You can navigate to it directly at training.risa.com or through the button below.
You can also find it from the RISA homepage under the Learn tab.
Every RISA Learning Center course is taught by experienced engineers here at RISA. These engineers worked as design engineers in a variety of industries prior to joining RISA and becoming software experts. They provide not only helpful program tips but important real-world context.
Meet a few of the engineers who teach these courses below!
Rebecca is a licensed Professional Engineer and technical trainer at RISA who specializes in developing and teaching virtual and in-person training sessions. She has a Master's Degree in Structural Engineering and Bachelor's Degrees in Physics and Math. She is excited to help users become RISA experts!
Jon graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor's Degree in Architectural Engineering, and then worked as a consulting engineer in the Los Angeles area. Prior to joining RISA, Jon specialized in projects including custom residential homes, low-income housing, and occasional commercial facilities. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of California.
Jennifer is a licensed Professional Engineer and technical support engineer at RISA. She joined the team after 11 years in structural design, bringing with her a strong background in real-world engineering and a passion for helping other succeed. Before joining RISA, Jennifer focused on the design of industrial facilities, including frozen storage warehouses, food processing plants, and commercial buildings. Jennifer enjoys deep diving into RISA software to help engineers get the most out of their tools.
Now that we know where to go and have met the teachers, it’s time to find the class that fits your goals.
Under the Courses tab, you’ll find our upcoming live training sessions as well as our on-demand courses. Use the filters to narrow down your options by keyword, product, or course type to find the best fit for your needs.
When you find a course that interests you, select that tile to open the course homepage. At the top of the course homepage, you will find:
Scroll down for more details to help you decide whether this course is right for you. Find out what’s included in the course, the schedule and topics for each day of live courses, and a full course outline. It is like reviewing the syllabus before the first day of class, so you know exactly what you will learn and how the course is structured.
Once you are ready to enroll, purchase the course directly from the course page using the button at the top. You’ll log in with the same credentials you use for your RISA licenses, so no need to create a separate account.
Much like making sure you have the right notebooks and binders for school, a little preparation goes a long way towards getting the most out of your RISA training course especially for our live courses.
Start out by making sure you have the right time on your calendar. You can add each session directly to your calendar from the bottom of the course homepage.
Next, review the course requirements listed near the top of the page. These typically include having the latest version of the program, a mouse, and two monitors. Having the right setup makes it easier to follow along in your own model while the instructor demonstrates the workflow on screen.
Finally, visit the Getting Started module in the course player. Here you can learn how to use the Learning Center, what to have ready before class, and download your course materials.
All our courses include model files for you to reference and use during the training. Download the course kit from the Getting Started module in the course player before your first session so you are ready to follow along.
Class is in session!
Join live sessions through Zoom with the link in the calendar invite, email reminder, or course player. During each session, the instructor will work through example models live on screen. For the best experience, we recommend following along in the program on a second monitor.
Questions are always welcome. Use the Zoom chat to ask questions throughout the session. A secondary instructor monitors the chat and responds as the class moves along, helping you stay on track.
Live courses also include Office Hours. These sessions do not follow a planned agenda. They are a dedicated and interactive time for you to ask questions about the course material. Think of them like time with the teacher after class.
You will also find optional homework problems in the course materials. They are not graded, and you are not required to complete them, but they are a useful way to practice the skills you are learning. Video solutions are posted for each homework problem so you can check your work or revisit a concept at your own pace.
You’ve done it! You are well on your way to becoming a RISA expert.
After the course ends, session recordings will be available in the course player so you can revisit a lesson whenever you need a refresher. You can also access your PDH certificate in the course player.
Ready for your next subject? Register for another course to continue building your skills, or explore RISA’s other learning resources for support as you keep growing your software knowledge.