How To Use Free Online Education Sites to Educate Yourself!
Free online education sites can be a convenient way to learn new skills. And improve existing ones.
Sometimes, they may be a steppingstone to a professional credential or academic degree.
Online courses have been beneficial during the COVID-19 pandemic. And they continue to be an excellent resource for distance learners.
Who needs to be located near an academic institution. That offers the course in which they are interested.
The current schooling system needs help in this area. Most people need to be made literate instead of illiterate in our economic cycle.
This serves the ruling class’s interests. Which needs obedient workers who have no choice but to work for them for the rest of their lives.
Becoming educated requires stepping outside those traditional frameworks. Learning from people who have become successful where you are interested or passionate.
I am a big believer in investing in yourself. I spend a lot of money to this day on education and mentorship. You either pay for your education, or you pay through your own mistakes.
The latter is much more costly! You can always learn something from a successful person. If you want to get that information in its purest form, you invariably must pay for it.
Many people need help to afford to spend money on their education. Others are still determining if they want to make money for themselves. Or are more suited to being an employee.
For these people, there are ways to begin becoming educated without spending any money.
Free online courses make accessing high-quality content from industry professionals quick without committing to a set schedule or paying university-level tuition.
They’re also suitable for beginners since many still need formal enrollment prerequisites. You can sign up and get started right away!
This article will give you ways to educate yourself using the internet.
How to Educate Yourself and Be an Effective Self-Learner
Innovation and automation are everywhere in many industries of the world. It’s a wonder watching it. But it contains some problems with more people being replaced with robots and having to re-train or enter another field.
For people to do those things. Most people often turn to going back to school rather than considering other options. Returning to school could be helpful. You can always learn how to educate yourself instead of for free.
A long time ago, that option wasn’t a reality. But with excellent quality information and other factors. Educating yourself now is well worth considering.
What Does It Mean to Educate Yourself?
What it means to educate yourself is a matter of having a series of habits that promote how to educate yourself—going into finer details. These habits comprise a system to help you stay up on relevant topics you are enthusiastic about.
As I mentioned, this method has only become a valid option in recent years. The reason that was the case was that information wasn’t readily available. Our news came from newspapers, radio, and television several decades ago.
But now, information is being created every single day by the thousands through blog posts. Professionals or large businesses run it.
The quality of the information and the quantity of it has increased. Thanks to the internet and its further expansion of it. It’s to the point what it means to educate yourself is leveraging the information on the internet.
Can You Self-Educate without Going to College?
Since the internet is the best way to gather information, it’s possible to self-educate us without going to college.
Here are some ways to start:
1. Stay Current on Industry News
Not just the news of the industry you’re in but also in other areas you are interested in.
As I said, industries are changing because there is always something happening. One way to educate yourself is by being aware of what’s happening in the industry.
The only thing to remember with this is that there are many ways to stay caught up in the industry. You don’t need to pay for subscriptions to several papers or magazines to stay caught up.
Turn to social media and search for relevant hashtags. Or keywords or sign up for news outlets’ mailing lists. There are plenty of free options.
2. Sign Up for Online Courses
Information has become so abundant that there are all kinds of courses available. Online learning is also an effective way to learn these days. You can visit sites like Udemy or Skillshare, with thousands of classes available.
Some universities have even opened courses online for free. One example of a site providing that is edX. with courses from MIT, Harvard, Berkeley University, and others. And Lifehack offers some free classes too.
My favorite is Wealthy Affiliate University because you can use the information for any niche.
3. Get a Coach
Every industry has skilled individuals willing to teach others—backed by years of experience in the field. They can pass down valuable lessons that no other classroom could teach you.
This is another powerful method because a coach will stay and keep you ahead of the curve. Their years of experience and understanding of the industry. This can lead to more specific advice.
Traditional colleges and universities focus on general information rather than what you need to know.
A coach is another way to get a personalized experience. Here’re some tips on finding a coach that suits you: When Is It Time to Get a Business Coach and How to Get One.
15 Resources for Online Self-Education for Free!
We are so fortunate to have a wealth of information at our fingertips. There are so many online resources we can use to educate ourselves.
Sometimes it does become overwhelming with all the options. But we should always feel supported by information.
You should find many online resources on the subject. Depending on what you want to educate yourself on.
Traditional learning has taken a back step for individuals. Who wish to control their time. And what information they find beneficial.
Knowing which companies provide quality education can be challenging, with many offering free online courses.
I evaluated over a dozen popular providers to find the best ones to suit the needs of various students.
This evaluation process included the following:
- In-depth review of each provider’s specific course offerings. And materials via website and catalog reviews.
- Sampling lessons and study materials when available.
- Analysis of student reviews and comments. On platforms like Google Reviews, Reddit, Trustpilot, and Facebook.
These 15 free online education sites that met the following criteria earned a place on our list.
- W3School
- Coursera
- Udemy
- MDN
- SkillShare
- Edx
- Udacity
- LinkedIn Learning
- MIT Open Courseware
- Stanford Online
- CodeWars
- EICT Academy
- YouTube
- SoloLearn
- Wealthy Affiliate University
As a bonus, AI (artificial intelligence) is on the rise. We can get educated on what’s to come by seeking the knowledge available for free!
What to Consider Before Signing Up for a Free Online Course
Your education goals.
Why are you taking a free online course? Your answer will help you decide which provider and system are right for you. Free online courses only sometimes include completion certificates, college credits, or grades.
They may also restrict access to certain features like quizzes or projects if you’re taking a class for personal improvement. Exploring an area of interest or learning a new skill won’t matter.
Suppose you need documentation of course completion. Or are working towards a certificate, investing in a paid online course might be a better bet.
Your learning style.
Free online courses are popular because they’re cheap, convenient, and accessible. Online learning is only for some.
Do you prefer learning through personal interaction? Instead of watching video lectures or reading lessons?
Can you hold yourself accountable for completing classes? Or will you quickly get distracted? Free online courses work best for initiative-taking, focused students. Who can learn through lectures, reading assignments, and firsthand practice.
Your tech set-up and learning environment.
In most cases, a device and a stable internet connection are all you need to participate in a free online course. Most students use computers. But many providers also have mobile apps to access classes and coursework on mobile phones or tablets.
Whatever device you use, ensure it can handle streaming video content. Downloading assignments and playing audio. Invest in noise-canceling headphones to cut distractions.
Check your syllabus to confirm if there are any other specific tech needs for your course.
The Differences Between Free and Paid Online Courses.
One of the main appeals of a free online class is that it has no financial obligation. This makes education accessible to students no matter what their financial situation is. It also minimizes the risk of students evaluating a new study area. Or need more time to finish the course.
Students should be aware of a few critical disadvantages to free courses, as listed below. We recommend reading all course information and fine print. Before registering, ensure you’re signing up for the method that best suits your needs.
Limited versus full access.
Most course providers only grant paying students full access to all course features. These features may include quizzes, tests, hands-on projects, and graded assignments, which help students learn as much as possible from their courses.
Length of access.
Students in free courses typically only have limited-time access to course materials. Usually for the length of the class itself. Meanwhile, students who pay tuition or subscribe. Often get extended or unlimited access to course materials.
Certificates.
Students only receive documentation of course completion if they have paid for the course. Suppose students need a certificate to show current or potential employers. Their best bet is to enroll in a paid course that provides certification when the class is completed.
Final Thoughts
Being a self-learner is about adapting and embracing various methods to educate yourself. While attending a university is still a valid option. The sheer amount of online information allows anyone to learn about anything.
So, consider these habits and save yourself the massive time and money sink to attending a university. These habits can pay off in significant ways over time.
These resources are great if you want to learn as much as possible throughout your lifetime. There is no stopping you when you want to learn something. You can find many more resources, but I’ll stick with the best ones.
The internet is an excellent place for the self-learner. With added information being added daily, we’ll always have enough.
Stay updated with developing issues. With these resources, learn a new skill, and leave your comfort zone. Nothing is stopping you now.
