One of the greatest gifts of the internet (aside, of course, from animal memes) is the fact that you can log on and learn about almost any topic instantly, often for nothing more than the cost of your internet connection.
And there’s no better proof of this than the vast array of online classes you can find with a simple Google search. But don’t let navigating all those choices hold you back: if you’ve ever wanted to hop on the bandwagon and take a course online, here’s what you need to know to get started.
The Benefits of Online Classes
There are several great reasons to do your learning online rather than in person. First, the internet gives you access to many more niche topics and a more diverse pool of instructors than you’d be able to find locally. This means you can explore exactly what you’re interested in, whether that’s playing an obscure instrument, reading an underground sub genre of literature, managing your daily schedule, marketing your business, or coding the next must-have app.
Second, online courses offer scheduling flexibility that you simply can’t get from traditional educational options—you can take a course when it makes sense for your schedule, rather than adjusting your calendar to a school’s predetermined time frame.
Because you can pause them or repeat key moments when you need to, online courses are a super easy way to learn at your own pace and in the format that most suits your learning needs. (Online classes usually have audio, video and text in the mix, so you can focus on the content delivery that works best for you).
And finally, there’s the price point. Online classes often cost significantly less than in-person varieties — many cost nothing at all — and save you the cost and time of a commute.
Getting Started: Try Free Courses Online
A great benefit of taking online classes is that you can sample them before you commit. Most online course providers offer at least a few free classes for prospective students to try, and many offer only free online courses.
It’s important to experiment with different types of free classes online first, because they vary widely in production quality, instructor styles, and the engagement and support they offer students. Dive in and check out at least a few different learning platforms to see which kind of online class is the best match for your needs and learning style.
To pick a provider for your online learning, start with your goals: If you’re exploring a topic just to learn, then any class that interests you will be a great place to begin. If you don’t like the first option, simply try another.
If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a course that will help you ramp up your career skills, then learning from a respected source on the subject matters more, and you might want those classes to lead to a certification you can add to your resume. And if you’re looking to invest in a college degree online, a reputation for quality education and career placement matters enormously.
Places to Find Free Online Courses
A few of the most popular options for online classes include:
Khan Academy, which focuses on grade school and high school education, offering free online classes on curriculum topics from K-12 and beyond.
Coursera and edX, both of which offer free and paid classes, certificates, and degrees from professors who teach at some of the world’s most impressive universities (e.g., Harvard, UC Berkeley, MIT).
Udemy and Alison, two sites which feature thousands of professionals and experts outside typical educational structures as instructors, teaching the real-life skills they’ve learned in their work and personal lives.
More interested in picking up a single, quick lesson than taking a free course online? Try the free classes online at TEDEd, which are quick highlights on topics as diverse as the eradication of HIV and the presence of butt tubas in medieval art (Admit it: You’re curious!).
Let us know your favorite places to find free courses online in the comments.
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“Nice info!”