Technology has changed the landscape of education, and it can’t be more evident in the abundance of massive open online course (MOOC) platforms. Though some would argue that nothing can replace the traditional formal education, online classes provide an alternative and more accessible way for everyone to expand their learning.
With university tuition fees increasing yearly, it’s about time people look for different avenues to hone their skills and widen their knowledge. Even those who have already graduated from college will need to expand their know-how and to increase the number of their skills, no matter how basic.
There’s no need to be the top of the class or a genius to excel in these online classes. All you need is the time to spend in front of your computer in order to finish the courses and its requirements.
1. Coursera
Started by computer science professors from Stanford University in 2012, the for-profit online education platform has grown into 10 million users in 839 courses. The subjects range from engineering to physics to humanities to medicine and so much more. They coordinate with institutions across the world, and many of their courses are available in other languages such as Chinese, Spanish, German, Vietnamese, and Dutch. In 2013, five courses are approved for college credit by the American Council on Education.
2. edX
If you want to learn from institutions like Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, then edX can provide you with the free courses to help you improve your skills and update your knowledge. This open online course provider has one of the most diverse partnerships with authorities in education. What makes it different from other MOOC providers is that it works on a non-profit format.
3. Open Education Database (OEDb)
First known for its online college rankings in 2007, OEDb now compiles thousands of free and paid online classes through its open courseware collection. The subjects the educational database cover are grouped into Arts, Business, Education, Engineering and Computer Science, Health & Medical, Liberal Arts, Math, and Science. Some of their courses came from well-known universities such as John Hopkins University and the University of Michigan.
4. Udacity
Though Udacity covers non-technology classes, this education website prioritizes subjects on Data Science, Web Development, and Software Engineering. We live in a world where technology changes every minute, and Udacity can help students to update their skills to the latest bit of innovation and development in technology. There are courses available for a price, but a number of their classes are accessible for free.
5. Khan Academy
Khan Academy aims to provide free education to everyone, and they’re doing it by providing learning resources to educators, parents, and students worldwide. While students can access materials that help with college admissions, teachers can make use of the classroom resources available on the website. Subjects range from basic Math and Science to more practical subjects like Finance and Computing. There are also talks and interviews that can provide further educational insights to those interested.
Most of these online “academies” provide completion certificates, and if you want to use the course to advance your careers, you can pay a minimum fee for a verified certificate.
At the end of the day, you know that you increase your level of competency for every online course you finish. Besides, how else can you easily learn from Harvard and MIT professors without having to go through the pain-staking process of college applications?