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The internet serves as an invaluable resource for lifelong learners and self-taught scholars. Enhance your education with these top free online tools.
10. Free Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)
Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have revolutionized access to education for anyone with a computer and internet connection. These generally free online courses, offered by universities and colleges, span a wide range of subjects from Astronomy to Web Development. MOOCs have become a distinct category, with numerous providers and platforms available, including universities like Stanford Online and MIT Open Courseware. Commercial and non-profit organizations that provide courses from various sources include Academic Earth, edX, Class Central, Udacity, Coursera, Udemy, and FutureLearn. If you're overwhelmed by the variety of free online courses, don’t worry—several of the tools and platforms below curate courses from MOOCs and other sources into specific fields of study.
9. Skillshare
Skillshare is a vibrant learning community that brings together over a million students and teachers. Anyone can create a class, typically ranging from 30 minutes to an hour, on a variety of subjects such as crafts, cooking, film, photography, technology, or writing—as long as the class follows the site’s guidelines. It’s a great place for project-based lessons, like creating 3D type and texture, with courses grouped by subjects. Over 300 lessons are available for free, while a pro subscription gives you access to the entire library of 3,000+ lessons.
8. University of Reddit
If you're a fan of Reddit, you can join in on this community-driven online education initiative. The University of Reddit offers courses on traditional topics like art and computer science, as well as unique ones such as “fun and games” (e.g., StarCraft II Strategy). The courses are taught by Reddit users, and you can even apply to teach your own class.
7. CourseBuffet
CourseBuffet lets you search and compare hundreds of free MOOCs offered by over 250 universities. You can search by subject, explore courses by field, or view learning paths that organize courses into bachelor’s degree-level curricula, such as a complete computer science or management path. Best of all, it’s completely free.
6. ALISON
ALISON offers free online courses from renowned publishers like Google, Microsoft, MIT, Macmillan, and Cambridge University. The platform also features diploma-level courses, allowing you to earn certifications in areas like project management, HR, social work, and more—skills that can help you in your job search. With over 750 free diploma and certificate courses available, you can track your progress and assess your skills on the site.
5. Project Gutenberg
If you prefer learning through reading or want to supplement online courses with books, Project Gutenberg is your go-to resource with over 50,000 free ebooks. Explore a vast collection of classic and lesser-known titles in multiple languages. Visit their Top 100 ebooks list to find something new to read. For free textbooks, check out TextbookRevolution or Open Textbooks. Additionally, Open Syllabus Project provides a list of books frequently assigned in college courses.
4. Khan Academy
Join over 38 million learners at Khan Academy, a non-profit educational platform that’s all about accessible learning. With the motto “you can learn anything,” you can explore a broad selection of video courses and interactive lessons. Keep track of your progress, earn badges, and make the learning process even more fun.
3. iTunes U
The iTunes U app for iOS, Mac, or Windows allows you to access courses from top universities and other providers right on your device. You can also complete assignments and make notes for each course. The app offers access to a vast catalog with hundreds of thousands of resources across various subjects.
2. Open Culture
Open Culture is a rich resource for lifelong learners. The site currently hosts 1,150 free online courses, 725 free movies, 700 free audiobooks, 800 free ebooks, 200 free textbooks, 300 free language lessons, and 150 free business courses. Since our last mention a few years ago, it has expanded significantly, continuously growing its wealth of well-organized educational materials. It’s a fantastic all-in-one source for free educational media.
1. Mytour U
We’re proud to say that Mytour U offers a thoughtfully curated selection of the best free online courses available each semester. A standout feature is our very own Alan Henry, who highlights courses across various subjects with detailed notes and descriptions. Instead of pointing you to broad institutions like Stanford, Alan showcases individual courses from multiple schools that are new or coming back this term, so you can easily dive into what interests you.
The resources mentioned here are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to online learning opportunities. However, they’re a great starting point and should provide plenty of content to keep you engaged with learning throughout the year.
Illustration by Fruzsina Kuhári.
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