There are several great websites that offer free resources to help you learn new skills. Whether you’re interested in programming, creative arts, business, or languages, these sites can provide valuable learning opportunities. Here’s a list of some of the best free platforms:
1. Coursera (Audit Mode)
- Website: coursera.org
- Coursera offers courses from top universities and institutions. While many of their courses have a paid certification option, you can audit most of them for free and still access the course materials and lectures.
2. edX
- Website: edx.org
- Like Coursera, edX offers online courses from top universities such as Harvard, MIT, and others. You can audit the courses for free, but you’ll need to pay if you want a certificate of completion.
3. Khan Academy
- Website: khanacademy.org
- Khan Academy is a nonprofit educational website that provides free courses on a wide range of subjects, including math, science, history, economics, and more. It’s perfect for learners at all ages.
4. Duolingo
- Website: duolingo.com
- Duolingo offers a fun and free way to learn new languages. It uses gamification techniques to keep you engaged as you practice speaking, listening, and writing in different languages.
5. Skillshare (Free Trial)
- Website: skillshare.com
- Skillshare is a platform with creative courses in fields like design, photography, writing, and business. While it’s a paid service, Skillshare offers a free trial period during which you can access many of their courses.
6. Udemy (Free Courses)
- Website: udemy.com
- Udemy offers a huge variety of courses on virtually any topic, from programming to personal development. Although many courses are paid, there are also free courses available, and they often run promotions that provide discounts.
7. MIT OpenCourseWare
- Website: ocw.mit.edu
- MIT OpenCourseWare offers free access to course materials from thousands of MIT’s courses. While you won’t receive any formal recognition, it’s a fantastic resource for self-learners.
8. YouTube
- Website: youtube.com
- YouTube is a treasure trove of educational content. Channels like CrashCourse, TED-Ed, and freeCodeCamp provide in-depth tutorials and lessons on various subjects, from computer programming to history and philosophy.
9. freeCodeCamp
- Website: freecodecamp.org
- freeCodeCamp is a nonprofit platform that teaches coding and web development through interactive lessons and projects. It’s a great resource if you want to learn how to code at no cost.
10. Codecademy (Free Plan)
- Website: codecademy.com
- Codecademy offers free coding lessons in various programming languages. While they do offer paid subscriptions, the free plan provides access to many introductory lessons for programming, data science, and web development.
11. The Open Learning Initiative (Carnegie Mellon)
- Website: oli.cmu.edu
- This initiative by Carnegie Mellon offers free online courses designed to promote active learning. You can access free course materials across different subjects.
12. Google Digital Garage
- Website: learndigital.withgoogle.com
- Google offers free courses on digital marketing, data, career development, and other business-related skills. Many of their courses come with certification upon completion.
13. LinkedIn Learning (Free Month Trial)
- Website: linkedin.com/learning
- LinkedIn Learning offers high-quality courses on professional development, business skills, software, and creative fields. You can access everything during their free one-month trial.
14. Alison
- Website: alison.com
- Alison offers free online courses with a focus on workplace skills and career development. They offer certifications in areas like project management, marketing, IT, and health.
15. Academic Earth
- Website: academicearth.org
- Academic Earth offers free online college-level courses from a range of universities. The topics range from business and economics to engineering and social sciences.
16. FutureLearn
- Website: futurelearn.com
- FutureLearn offers free online courses from universities and cultural institutions around the world. You can access courses in a wide variety of subjects, from arts to science.
17. OpenLearn (by The Open University)
- Website: open.edu/openlearn
- OpenLearn offers a range of free courses in various fields, such as education, health, and business, from The Open University.
