# AI for the Workplace with Claude (Self-Paced) Canonical URL: ## Overview This course takes participants from their first Claude chat to building and running a complete AI workflow they can use in day-to-day work. Participants learn how to set up and manage custom Projects, connect the right tools, add role-specific Plugins, and create automated tasks that reduce friction in common responsibilities. The course also covers prompting across five practical use cases, building Projects with persistent instructions and knowledge bases, and personalizing Claude with Artifacts, Styles, and Memory. To improve consistency and output quality, participants practice advanced collaboration techniques, including chain-of-thought reasoning and the “You Ask Me” method. In the second half of the course, participants shift to Claude Cowork, Anthropic’s desktop agent built to work directly with files and connected tools. They design a context system, set guardrails, connect workplace integrations, install Plugins, and build recurring automations aligned to their role. The course ends with a capstone project in which each participant designs an end-to-end Claude system for their own job and produces a practical deliverable they can use immediately. ## What you'll learn - Write structured prompts for writing, analysis, summarization, and research - Set up Projects, Artifacts, Styles, and Memory for a personalized workflow - Configure Claude Cowork with guardrails, permissions, and context files - Connect Claude to Slack, Google Drive, Gmail, Excel, and PowerPoint - Install role-specific Plugins and set up Scheduled Tasks - Build a complete Claude system for your job through a guided capstone ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Getting Started with Claude AI - Explain how Claude works in plain language. - Identify the model tiers, plans, and key parts of the claude.ai interface. - Practice starting a first conversation with Claude. #### Module 2: Prompting Fundamentals & Working with Files - Identify the core parts of an effective prompt, including context, task, format, constraints, and examples. - Apply prompting across writing, summarization, analysis, research, and creative problem-solving. - Work with images, PDFs, spreadsheets, screenshots, and handwritten notes in Claude. #### Module 3: Projects — Organizing Ongoing Work - Explain how Projects use custom instructions, knowledge bases, and RAG to organize ongoing work. - Write effective Project instructions for real workplace tasks. - Create a Project using real work documents. #### Module 4: Artifacts, Styles, and Memory - Create reusable deliverables with Artifacts. - Customize Claude’s voice with Styles and enable persistent context with Memory. - Apply usage management tips to extend plan value. #### Module 5: Intermediate Prompting & Advanced Features - Use role-based prompting, chain-of-thought, and multi-step workflows. - Apply advanced features such as web search, Extended Thinking, and the “You Ask Me” technique. - Practice advanced prompting with real work scenarios. #### Module 6: Claude vs. Other AI Tools - Compare Claude with tools such as Copilot, Gemini, and ChatGPT. - Choose the right tool for different types of work. - Recognize data privacy considerations and organizational AI policies. #### Module 7: Introduction to Claude Cowork - Explain what Claude Cowork is and how it differs from claude.ai. - Read, write, and manage files from the desktop environment. - Complete a first Cowork task. #### Module 8: Building Your Context System - Build three foundational files: about-me, brand-voice, and working-style. - Distinguish between Global Instructions and Folder Instructions. - Use the AskUserQuestion workflow to improve context and outputs. #### Module 9: Guardrails, Permissions, and Safe Use - Configure file access controls, network egress, and privacy settings. - Recognize prompt injection risks and mitigation strategies. - Set up safety settings for secure use. #### Module 10: Connectors, Chrome, and Office Add-Ins - Connect tools such as Slack, Google Drive, Gmail, and more through MCP. - Use Claude in Chrome, Excel, and PowerPoint. - Build a multi-tool workflow across connected applications. #### Module 11: Plugins and Scheduled Tasks - Install domain-specific Plugins for functions such as Data, Marketing, HR, Finance, and Project Management. - Use slash commands and recurring automations. - Create a Scheduled Task and test a Plugin workflow. #### Module 12: Industry Applications - Apply Claude across role-specific scenarios in Data, Marketing, HR, Operations, Project Management, and Finance. - Complete practical workflows using real files. - Adapt Claude workflows to different job functions. #### Module 13: Capstone — Build Your Personal Claude System - Audit job tasks and identify high-value Claude use cases. - Configure a personal Claude system and connect relevant tools. - Run a complete end-to-end workflow that produces a real deliverable. #### Module 14: Wrap-Up and Next Steps - Review Claude’s limitations and available resources. - Create a Week 1 action plan for applying what was learned. - Identify next steps for continued use and improvement. ## Instructors ### Dan Rodney — School Director, Instructor, & Senior Course Developer Dan Rodney has been a designer and web developer for over 20 years, creating coursework and leading innovative training initiatives at Noble Desktop. He teaches courses covering Figma, HTML & CSS, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Power BI. Dan has also been at the forefront of integrating AI into design and business workflows, spearheading Noble Desktop’s latest AI course offerings. In addition to teaching and curriculum development, he writes custom scripts for InDesign (Make Book Jacket, Proper Fraction Pro, and more) and works with automation and AI-driven tools in his free time. You can find Dan on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook, and at danrodney.com. Learn more about [Dan Rodney's](/dan-rodney) background and expertise. ### Garfield Stinvil — Senior Instructor Garfield is an experienced software trainer with over 16 years of real-world professional experience. He started as a data analyst with a Wall Street real estate investment company & continued working in the professional development department at New York Road Runners Organization before working at Noble. He enjoys bringing humor to whatever he teaches and loves conveying ideas in novel ways that help others learn more efficiently. Since starting his professional training career in 2016, he has worked with several corporate clients including Adobe, HBO, Amazon, Yelp, Mitsubishi, WeWork, Michael Kors, Christian Dior, and Hermès. Outside of work, his hobbies include rescuing & archiving at-risk artistic online media using his database management skills. ### Mourad Kattan — Program Director & Instructor Mourad Kattan is an instructor and Program Director of Business, Finance, & Excel at Noble Desktop, teaching classes and designing courses in Excel, finance, accounting, and financial modeling. Before Noble Desktop, Mourad worked as a financial analyst at Credit Suisse and H/2 Capital Partners. In those positions, he used advanced analytical and financial skills to evaluate a variety of investments. Mourad graduated from the University of Pennsylvania summa cum laude and is part of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. Learn more about [Mourad Kattan's](/mourad-kattan) background and expertise. ### Christophe Drayton — Instructor Christophe is the instructor for the UX & UI Design Certificate, Figma Advanced, and Generative AI courses at Noble Desktop, and the founder and Chief Design Officer of Kaaiind, which specializes in Applied Artificial Intelligence in the Creative field. With over 20 years in Branding, UX Design, and Accessibility across Europe and the US, Christophe has positively impacted the digital experience of a large spectrum of companies, ranging from big data to startups, government entities to nonprofits, both in the private and public sectors. As an Educator, Christophe has led transformative and award-winning UX programs at Thinkful, the City University of New York (CUNY), and the Brooklyn Public Library, which have opened doors for underrepresented groups in tech who have secured roles at top companies like Google, Uber, Citi, and IBM. Most recently, he has developed innovative curricula about AI in the workplace for the University of Phoenix, LinkedIn Learning, and Coursera. Today, he focuses on developing Allie, one of the first AI-powered, patent-pending color-blind safe and WCAG-compliant design system generator, while concluding his 5-year fundamental research on color vision deficiencies in digital environments. Christophe believes in hands-on, practical application of human-centered strategy and ethical and inclusive design. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge to inspire and empower the next generation of designers, especially those entering the field through nontraditional paths. ## FAQ ### What do I need before the course? A Claude Pro subscription ($20/mo) is recommended for full access to all features. The first half of the course works on the Free plan, but the second half requires Pro. You’ll also need the Claude desktop app installed. ### What will I be able to do after? You’ll leave with a working Claude system built around your actual job, including Projects, context files, connected tools, Plugins, and at least one automated task. ### Is this course specific to one industry? No. The course serves all roles. The second half of the program includes targeted modules for data analysis, marketing, HR, operations, PM, and finance. ### How is this different from a ChatGPT course? This focuses exclusively on Claude’s ecosystem: Claude.ai, Cowork, Plugins, Scheduled Tasks, and the Office Add-Ins. Module 6 covers an honest comparison with ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini. ### Will I use my own work files? Yes. Have 3–5 real files ready. The deliverables you create are immediately useful at work. ### Does it cover AI safety? Yes. A full module covers guardrails, permissions, data privacy, and prompt injection awareness. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $799