Learning from Free Courses
Learning from free online courses is becoming increasingly popular as people become more comfortable with online learning and the internet development of the last decade. Whether you’re a student, professional, or simply looking to build new skills, free courses offer an accessible way to learn new things. There are a variety of free courses available, with topics ranging from basic digital skills to specialized academic subjects. Here are our tips on how to make the most of free courses and make sure you take the most out of them.
1. Choose Courses Wisely
Many free courses provide a vast array of topics, so it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices, so it’s important to choose your courses wisely. Consider which subjects you’re interested in and what skills you want to develop. Most courses will have a description of their content; if in doubt, contact the course organizer or the provider for further information.
2. Self-Motivation
When taking a course online, it can be difficult to stay on track and keep yourself motivated. A good way to keep yourself motivated is to set yourself a schedule and goals for each course. Make sure to plan time for studying and then schedule time for breaks to keep yourself from getting burnout.
3. Dedicate Time to Practice
Going through a course is only the first step in understanding the concepts and material taught. The most comprehensive understanding is obtained when actively practicing the concepts covered. Dedicate some additional time to practice and explore the material yourself.
4. Network with Course Participants
Take full advantage of the opportunity to network with fellow students who are also taking the course. Join forums, use chat rooms, and ask questions to better understand the material. Additionally, these experiences are great for networking and meeting people with similar interests and potential business partners.
5. Take Notes
While going through the course don’t forget to take notes. Even if you are not interested in the course material from long-term perspective you should still take notes. Taking notes helps you remember what was covered, which proves useful for reference or for further development.
6. Utilize Additional Resources
Most courses will have additional resources for further study. Make sure you utilize all the resources that are available. These resources can come in the form of additional course content, handouts, readings, and websites.
7. Ask Questions
The key to understanding a concept or material is asking questions. If you ever find yourself stuck or confused, make sure to find out more information. Most course organizers will have forums and social media accounts to interact with students. Additionally, you can reach out to instructors directly.
Conclusion
Free courses are a great way to learn new skills and topics. As long as you approach them with a clear goal and customized plan, you can maximize the benefit of free courses and make sure you walk away with comprehensive knowledge and understanding.
Useful Resources
- Video Tutorials: YouTube is full of helpful tutorials, break-down lessons and explanations for almost every course topic you can think of
- Blog Posts: There are lots of specialized blogs out there covering an array of topics, from coding to politics and anything in-between; it’s worth having a look around to see what you can find
- Participate in Discussions: Don’t be afraid to jump into discussion groups related to the course topic you’re learning. This can help you gain a better understanding of the material and get insights from those who are further down the learning process than you are
- Free eBooks: Many free eBooks related to topics or even the course material you’re studying can be found online. Look in your search engine or check out some specialized digital libraries; typically you can download a book for free or for a very small pay-what-you-can fee
