trešdiena, 2014. gada 5. novembris

Want to learn online for free? Here are some hints!

As I really like to study, but I cannot decide what would I like the most, I dive into (free!) e-course platforms that offer many different courses, and decided to share favorites* with you.

*believe me, there are very many platforms!

Most of them offer courses in English, but some have possibilities to learn in Russian, Spanish, German and other languages.

Coursera - well known MOOCs (massive open online courses) platform, offers courses from top universities and organizations worldwide. After finishing the course mostly possible to get a certificate of accomplishment (for free) or verified certificate (for generally small fee). Courses are in really high quality, mostly requires do quizzes and assessments to complete the course and have beginning and finishing dates, but some are self-paced courses (that could be done any time you want). Possible to do specifications - it contains 3-5 courses in a similar sphere, for a fee.

Open2Study - courses offered by Australian universities and organizations. At the moment my favorite page, all courses are 4 weeks long, offers a certificate of accomplishment, assessments are quizzes (I don't enjoy to participate in forums, that often Coursera requires, so here it is optional). However, the page is loading longer than other MOOC pages. You will fast find out is there something for you, because it offers a limited amount of courses.
By learning, you earn some online badges. :)

Udemy - after quizzes shows statistics how many people answered questions right and wrong and compares with your answers. I am pretty sure that here you could find many courses in your interests. Many courses are for a fee, but many are for free too.

OpenLearning - here I found courses related with arts, self-improvement (not professional) and everyday life (as "Introduction to wines"), but it offers many courses in IT and other topics.

Iversity - Not many courses, but very nice platform. Possible to pass exams to get ECTS.

Khan Academy - I really enjoyed this platform when listening some history courses. The website is well-structured, learning is made like a game also by earning some badges. If on other MOOC sites subjects are mostly made for everybody or for one exact level, then here one subject is covered from beginning till the end.

Codecademy - Amazingly easy to learn website developing! Recommended to anyone who would like to learn it, especially if you think that you could never understand anything of programming.

Some other great platforms:

Livemocha - an interactive way to learn languages. Learn yourself, get feedback from native speakers and help to learn others your language! Very nice platform, but for me it is a bit too much like a game.

Bliu Bliu - a platform to learn vocabulary in many languages - first of all, test your knowledge, after - learn new vocabulary, check your progress! It gives texts to read (sometimes videos with a transcript) and to check unknown/known words (+ by using google translate, shows translations if you just move mouse on the word). Unfortunately, not always these texts are very meaningful and could be too hard for total beginners.

Lumosity - the brain training. Lumosity's groundbreaking program is based on extensive research in the field of neuroplasticity. In a couple of words - you can train your thinking, memory, fast decision-making etc. playing short games individually. It offers 3 games per day for free, but to try other games and to challenge your brains more, you should subscribe (by paying a fee). I enjoyed it very much when I was doing very routine type job.

You are about to expand your mind! Let's start?