Knowledge will set you free. TODAY! (Online Training Resources)
Intended Audience: Everybody
Last Update: 2017-08-17
Utility: Opinion
Introduction
"Learn something new, get trained!" may be the best advice that can be given to any person who wants a better life.
The Internet has made information available on an entirely new level. I appreciate resources like Wikipedia or Stackoverflow for finding quick answers, but I think systematic training that lays a solid foundation is necessary for lasting success.
In this article I am presenting the best online resources for courses that I know of. Even top universities like Stanford offer lectures for free to anybody. Many of the sites will issue a certificate upon successful course completion, a nice acknowledgment.
Some sites are also a public platform for teachers, so you can make money by passing on your knowledge.
The websites below are simply ordered by their popularity (mid 2017).
I am looking forward to comments and additions. Especially if you know of good websites for courses in other languages.
Start using these resources today for a happier life!
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/
Highlights
- huge content
- free
- multilingual
- platform for publishing
Limitations
- just video/audio, no direct support for interactive exercises, tests, downloadable text, etc.
- no advanced navigation within a course
- no certificates
- making money by publishing a course is hard (try funny cat videos instead)
- brilliant work like these fantastic introductions into computer science and cryptography (by "Art of the Problem") may not appear among the first hits in a YouTube search (other websites use categories, which makes it easier to find all relevant material)
Tips
- use the words "course" or "lectures" in addition to the subject you want to learn, e.g. professional cooking course or JavaScript lectures
Udemy - https://www.udemy.com/
Highlights
- wide variety of content, you find categories as diverse as Web Development, Music or Beauty & Makeup
- multilingual
- platform for publishing with realistic chances for teachers to make some money
- certificates
- courses can be sent as a gift to others
Limitations
- most courses are not free (but you can easily search for the ones that are)
Tips
- Udemy frequently offers massive discounts, if you can wait a few weeks it should be possible to buy most courses below 20.- US$
- apps available
MIT Open Courseware (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) - https://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm
Highlights
- materials from 2400 courses of one of the world's leading universities
- free, no enrollment or registration
- translated courses available (Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Persian, Turkish, Korean)
- naturally the MIT's main emphasis is on technology, but there are also lectures from departments like "Anthropology", "Global Studies and Languages", "Literature" or "Music and Theater Arts"
Limitations
- no certificates
- not all courses are audio/video (text only)
- courses may require purchase of textbooks
Tips
Coursera - https://www.coursera.org/
Highlights
- access to quality content of reputable universities like Stanford, Johns Hopkins, EPFL, etc.
- certificates
- there seem to be ways to earn actual university degrees through coursera
Limitations
- some content is free, but no simple way to discover it
- subscription model, 49.- USD per month (required for certificates)
- courses may require purchase of textbooks
Tips
- looks like a good place if your long-term goal is a university degree: start free/cheap, upgrade as needed
Khan Academy - https://www.khanacademy.org/
Highlights
- good entry level material, starts as early as kindergarten (but definitely useful for every age!)
- free
- individual help by coaches
- test preparations (SAT, MCAT, NCLEX-RN, GMAT, cAHSEE, IIT JEE)
Limitations
- no certificates (badges instead)
- navigation capabilities within a video limited (YouTube), but navigation by course section possible
Tips
- apps for Android and iOS available
Stanford - https://lagunita.stanford.edu/
Highlights
- high level courses of one of the world's most famous universities
- free access to a lot of material
Limitations
- courses may require purchase of textbooks
- Stanford's offerings are diverse, from free courses to paid post-graduate (bachelor's degree is prerequisite), may take some searching around (see alternative links under tips)
Tips
- absolutely brilliant course "How to Learn Math: For Students"
- alternative link Overview of all courses
- alternative link Stanford ONLINE
- alternative link Center for Professional Development
Lynda.com - https://www.lynda.com/
Highlights
- wide selection of courses, cleanly organized by subject
- certificates
Limitations
- subscription based (I don't see a way to buy a specific course)
Tips
- 30 days free trial available
Udacity https://www.udacity.com/
Highlights
- good IT courses, with support from industry leaders (Google, Amazon, IBM, etc.)
- free content available
- paid Nanodegrees probably useful in CVs
Limitations
- only small choice of non-tech courses
- navigation capabilities within a video limited (YouTube), but navigation by course section possible
Tips
- try the selection criteria on the left on this page, e.g. "Free Courses", "Beginner"
Open Yale Courses http://oyc.yale.edu/
Highlights
- interesting selection of non-tech courses (also some science courses)
- free
Limitations
- fewer courses than other sites
- no certificates
Tips
- registration is not required
Other Resources
- edX, a portal to the courses of various universities like Harvard, Berkely, MIT, etc.
- Skillshare, subscription based model
- Open Education Consortium, portal for searching university courses
- Learn.org, access to free video lectures from top colleges and universities
- OPEN CULTURE, 1,250 free online courses from top universities
- 100 Amazing How-To Sites to Teach Yourself Anything
- and much more through Google search ...
This Steemit story contains further useful links:
https://steemit.com/blog/@arnoldwish/the-definitive-list-of-websites-that-everyone-should-know-about-steemit-exclusive