You’re prepared to teach yourself online. You’ve already put on your learning cap and you’ve warmed up your clicker finger. But where do you go?

This is a list of the best places for online learning classes on the internet. I focused on classes that offered a variety of types of courses and that were multimedia or video. So, I skipped the blogs and ebooks (more about those in a later article).

While I don’t like to depend on the traditional class system, if you’re trying to learn a skill, it is definitely nice to get the parts of the skill from the same person. I rated each of the websites in order of information quality, usability and interface, and course offerings.

7. TED

I love TED talks. Who doesn’t? They’re last on the list because usually, they don’t teach you very much. They mainly just convince you that one idea is awesome. But I still think they’re extremely valuable.

6. Alison

Do you enjoy reading powerpoints and course syllabi?

Because that’s what you’ll get with Alison.

Alison is second to last on this list because it provides information that I would read, if I could telepathically read the professor’s mind so I could understand their powerpoint. On one hand, it does provide the information, and I can more or less understand what’s going on, but the experience isn’t incredible.

5. Coursera

Coursera offers free courses from top universities. The interface is great and the quality is nice. However, you take the course when the course begins. Let’s also not forget that professors are even more boring on video than they typically are in person. Also, you take it on their time, not your own, which kind’ve puts a damper on self-education. But, some people may enjoy taking a course as it rolls out.

4. Khan Academy

Mainly for gradeschool science, math, chemistry, and finance, Khan Academy is one of the most recognized names in online learning. Clean interface and easy to use. If you wish you’d paid attention in 8^th grade Algebra (like me) this is the place to go.

3. ItunesU

Itunes U combines the ease of downloading music to your ipod with high end courses at Ivy League Universities. There is some incredible information on here. But, it’s almost entirely in audio format. I usually prefer videos or text, but if you enjoy podcasts, you will probably like Itunes U.

2. Youtube

Youtube is still one of the best places to learn. You can find someone teaching most anything on there. What you won’t get with Youtube is the guarantee of quality and you may have to cobble together course offerings by searching through various Youtube videos, but at least it’s free!

1. Udemy

 Udemy is the best place to learn on the internet in my opinion. It combines the DIY democracy aspect of Youtube with the pay for quality information aspect of online universities. Classes range from Free to $200, but the information and video quality tends to be worth the price.

Is this list correct? What other sites would you add?

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Categories: Blog