Learning New Skills From Free Or Low-Cost Online Educational Resources
Learning new skills is vital for taking that next step in your career or switching career paths altogether. However, education is notoriously expensive, with most official university courses costing upwards of $10,000.
But honing your craft or embarking on a new challenge doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. We've compiled a list of free online educational resources and some low-cost alternatives to take your personal/professional development up a notch without sacrificing your financial health.
5 Best Free Online Educational Resources
1. YouTube Educational Channels
YouTube is packed with learning materials. Put any subject into the site's search function and you'll be rewarded with thousands of results. Of course, you may need to wade through some questionable videos, but there are many qualified instructors/experts on the platform. You may even find college lectures and public speeches!
To give you a head start, look at Crash Course. This channel covers everything from artificial intelligence to World War II to entrepreneurship. The Ted-Ed channel is brilliant, too. They break down complex topics into easy sections.
2. Learnthat.com
Head to Learnthat.com to find free online tutorials for adults in business, personal finance, lifestyle, and technology. Boasting text- and video-driven courses, you'll learn practical life and business skills that will enhance your professional and social life. Compared to other courses, the tutorials are brief. However, they're a great place to dip your toes into education without committing to time-intensive learning.
3. Coursera
The courses on Coursera are free provisions from esteemed universities. It's the place to go if you want college-level courses without the expensive price tag. Naturally, they don't count to degree credits, but they're just as challenging and rewarding as paid-for courses.
The site's vast catalog is bound to have topics you're interested in, including some that will enhance your resume, put you in a better position for a promotion, or get you closer to your dream career.
4. Harvard Online Courses
Ever dreamed of studying at Harvard? Now you can. The prestigious university has an impressive selection of free online courses. The subjects are varied, including:
- Health and medicine
- Social science
- Education and teaching
- Art and design
- Business
- And more!
5. Duolingo
This user-friendly, intuitive app lets you learn a new language without spending a dime. It uses a gamified system to help you earn points, race against the clock, and stay motivated with gratifying rewards. The adverts can become tiresome, but removing them involves paying.
5 Best Low-Cost Educational Resources
If you don't mind spending a little bit of cash, try these five low-cost resources:
1. VitalSource
VitalSource is a digital textbook platform that gives you rental or lifetime access to an array of digital textbooks. Currently, the platform has a catalog of 1.5 million eTextbooks.
2. Top Hat
This dynamic courseware platform involves interactive textbooks, LMS integration, and question packs to level up your education.
3. Pearson+
It's a monthly subscription service for a whopping 1,500 Pearson eTextbooks. It boasts flashcards, notes, audio, expert videos, and more.
4. Barnes & Noble College OER Plus
You get immediate access to courses through your college's LMS, lowering the cost of learning materials.
5. Cengage OpenNow
This platform offers curriculum-aligned OER content with assessments and videos. It's an outcome-focused online learning platform providing question banks and other ancillary content for the OpenStax textbooks, alongside its separate openly licensed course books.
Don't Let Financial Crises Stop You From Learning New Skills
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Using these free and low-cost educational resources can help you learn new skills without breaking the bank. And with our vendors close by, you don't need to worry about financial challenges spoiling your efforts.
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Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.