Nowadays the internet has helped to acquire such new skills. Whether you want to work on a new career track, or just brush up skills, or want to just explore a new interest, you are likely to find an almost unlimited set of free online courses that will help you in crafting something really useful that can be utilized in the market. In this article we are going to learn some of the best free online courses which can impart great skills to us and how you can put them to use to move further in life either personal or professional.
Why Free Online Courses Are Great Option
Free online courses are accessible, which is the primary benefit of this educational model. You are not required to pay high tuition fees and have a long term study. Depending on your current level of expertise, be it entry level and want to get into a new industry or you are a professional and want to upskill, free courses will enable one to explore the subject with no financial input.
The advantages of Free Online Courses:
- Affordability: Your courses cost nothing, and thus you train on new things without the expense of finances. Although there are platforms with paid certification services, a lot of courses available may be audited free of charge.
- Flexibility: Study at the time which suits you, at your own pace. The majority of the platforms will enable you to begin learning and go at your pace.
- Free Education: There are a variety of free courses in leading universities and organizations. You may get access to the equally good material seen as paid courses, sometimes even without trade.
Free courses are highly beneficial when it comes to enhancing your knowledge without spending a particular sum of money and it is especially desirable when it comes to newcomers to a given field or a new interest.
Top Free Online Resources on How to Learn Practical Skills
Other resources include many opportunities to do free courses of high quality in various disciplines. Some of the most excellent platforms that you can use to learn practical skills are given below:
1. Coursera
Coursera has a variety of available online courses by leading institutions and organizations alternatively, most courses can be taken free of charge in case one decides to audit the course (without certificate). The site will offer video lectures, reading materials and assignments.
Popular Courses:
- Google IT Support Professional Certificate
- Data Science Specialization offered by Johns Hopkins University
- Stanford University Learn Machine Learning
Most Suitable: Any person who wants to master advanced subjects such as programming, data science, business or IT.
2. edX
edX is a learning experience created by Harvard and MIT and is operated as a non-profit enterprise. Education through edX will create a free online course being offered by leading universities and institutions worldwide.
Popular Courses:
- Computer Science 12 (Harvard University)
- Data Science in Executives (Columbia University)
- Introduction to Manufacturing (MIT)
Best For: Students in need of some university level programmes in computer science, engineering, data science, and humanities.
3. Udemy (Free courses)
Udemy is famous because of paid courses but there is a great variety of free courses. These free courses may be on all kinds of topics, such as tech and coding, business and marketing.
Free Course Popularity:
- Python Programming Introduction
- Introduction to Web Development
- Graphic Design basics
Best suited to: Students who want to learn something concrete, that involves practice and learning, e.g. coding, web design, how to run a business.
4. Khan Academy
Khan academy is a non-profit making educational website that provides free courses. Although it is more about school-related topics, it offers great knowledge in such areas such as programming, computer science, and economics.
Famous Free Courses:
- JavaScript, HTML/CSS Computer Programming
- Introduction To Algorithms
- Economics and Finance
Good Ones To Use: Newbies and students (of any level) who desire to know some of the basics of programming, math, etc.
5. freeCodeCamp
freeCodeCamp is a completely free course that consists of coding challenges and activities as you learn web development, data science, and software engineering.
Most Famous Free Courses:
- Full Stack Web Development
- JavaScript DS and Algorithm
- Python Machine Learning
Best Suited: Individuals who aspire to become web developers, programmers and data scientists.
6. LinkedIn Learning (Free Trial)
Although the service has the subscription character, it has a free 1-month trial because at the time the subscription is active; you can get access to all the materials of LinkedIn Learning.
Most popular courses in Free Trial:
- Learning Python
- Introduction to Web Development
- Introduction to Project Management
Fore: Requesting professionals with the intention of building business, leadership, or technological competencies.
Free Online Skills You Can Learn
Free courses offered online will enable you to acquire numerous real, saleable skills.
1. Web Development
Regardless of your interest in a front-end (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) or back-end (Python, Node.js, databases) path, free courses will be of great use.
2. Digital Marketing
There exist free classes, which teach you:
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Social media marketing
- Content creation
- Google Ads
3. Data Science
Introductory level online classes in:
- Data analysis
- Machine learning
- Statistical programming (e.g. in Python and R)
4. Graphic Design
Topics such as:
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Designing principles
5. Entrepreneurship and Business
Platforms such as Coursera, edX, or LinkedIn Learning offer:
- Project management
- Leadership
- Entrepreneurship
Motivators and Finding Your Way Through Learning for Free
Free learning is all about discipline and self motivation.
Tips to Stay on Track:
- Have Clear Goals: Know what you want and plan the steps.
- Find Learning Communities: Reddit or Discord offer support, discussions, progress sharing.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: Daily practice is the key to mastery.
Conclusion
Online courses are highly recommendable in the learning of useful and real-life skills at no cost. By exploiting these resources, you can develop the proficiencies to move up the career ladder, make a transition to a new industry, alongside building your own company, without spending a single penny. Just like with free courses, be consistent, join learning communities, undertake projects to practice what you are learning and you will be well on your way to mastering the real world skills via the free online education route.