It’s hard to list all the benefits of a college education, but there’s always one major drawback: accessibility. Whether you lack the time, money, or a flexible schedule, it can be challenging for many people to pursue high education. However, there are more opportunities for online learning than ever before.
Distance education learning is quickly becoming the best way to pursue self-education. There’s a wide range of free resources available to make learning any skill, trade, or course easier than ever. Keep reading to learn about 6 websites that can help you in your pursuit of (affordable and accessible) knowledge.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is one of the most popular resources self-education websites. They offer many online courses across a variety of subjects. According to their website, students can access materials to help with “math, science, computing, history, art history, economics, and more, including K-14 and test preparation (SAT, Praxis, LSAT) content”.
They offer a personalizes dashboard for your courses, plus activities and projects to keep you engaged. Parents and teachers can also find tools to help younger students succeed, too. If you’re interested in learning alongside your kids, this is a perfect teaching opportunity for individuals of any age.
TED and TEDx
University students know better than anyone how easy it is to lose focus during boring lectures. If you’re an auditory learner and interested in a variety of topics, TED lectures are a great resource. There are talks and information available in every single realm of knowledge.
The lecturers come from all over the world. You can watch world-renowned scientists or punk singers share their life experiences and lessons. TED talks are always free to watch, and you can choose to watch videos that are anywhere from 10 minutes to more than an hour long.
Coursera
There are 30 million people registered with Coursera, so you can trust that it’s effective. There are free and paid courses available on every topic. Every topic is taught by an expert – either a professor at an approved college or by a leader at a company.
You can watch videos, do homework exercises, and join discussion forums on each topic when you take free courses. The paid version allows you access to extra homework and a certificate of completion, but the learning material is the same. You can even access the full site from a mobile device, letting you squeeze in some learning whenever you have time.
PapersOwl
Learning to write well is a challenge all its own. The technical aspects of writing essays, research papers, and dissertations can evade students at colleges or at home. PapersOwl is a free online writing platform that offers insight into best practices and feedback on your writing style.
You can highly qualified help from people students can trust. Everyone who works at PapersOwl is an expert in their respective field. There are sample essays on various topics, as well as tools to help you learn the ins and outs of citing works properly.
Code Academy
It’s been said that technology is the future, but it’s also the present. One of the largest-growing and highest-paying industries is computer science. Even though it might seem like a hard field to break into, self-education can go a long way. Code Academy is a free website with courses in all the major programming languages.
You can spend as much or as little time as you’d like learning how to code. Everything is neatly organized and color-coded, and you’ll have the same first piece of homework that every other computer science student completes: making your webpage read “Hello World.”
Libraries
As much as interactive tools and planned-out courses can teach you, sometimes you just need to read a book. In that case, nothing beats your local library. If you’re not located near a library, don’t have a card, or scoff at the idea of reading physical books, you’re still in luck.
Nearly every library in the US is connected to a regional network, which can be accessed through a webpage or app on your mobile device. This gives you full, free access to any e-book, audiobook, or physical book located within your region. You’ll still need to sign up for a library card to access it, but you’ll never have to pay a dime to have millions of books at your disposal.
Nothing is Holding You Back
With so many free resources for self-education, you don’t have to be held back any longer. You can keep money in your pocket and enjoy a schedule that suits you. No matter your level of education or interests, there are certainly a few online resources to help you continue learning. Visit all the recommended sites above and have a look around – we guarantee you’ll find something that piques your interest.
Author Bio
Eve Maygar is a major contributor to PapersOwl. She is an education expert and has done endless research and spent hours gathering information on remote learning. Eve has many published pieces that appear in journals also manages an online education blog. As one of our top boggers, Eve continues to provide readers with the latest information on modern education. Be sure to check out her other work at PapersOwl and learn more about distance learning.
