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edX (Opens in a new tab)Įveryone knows edX, the big name on virtual campus. Here's what's up with some of those major education platforms and how to enjoy classes for free ( TL DR basically you can do most courses for the fun of it but you don't get a certificate - a verified certificate (Opens in a new tab) shows that you have passed an official course, plus you can add it to your CV or LinkedIn profile, which handy if you're looking to find a new job.) There's also a difference between accredited and unaccredited courses, which you can usually check in the About page of the website. So prepare your brain because here's a big list of the best free online learning resources: If you want to do free courses on the big academic platforms And remember, despite all the messaging we get, you don't actually have to do anything productive with your downtime - these free courses are just here if you need a little spark. But most of these are just for fun, tbh, and if you need some creative inspiration, try a few vids on the TED YouTube channel (Opens in a new tab) before you pick one. Here's a big list of places you can learn stuff for free, with some available for certification if that's what you're looking for.
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Whatever you're after, what more productive way is there to use the precious time that pops up between work, family, friends, binge-watching Yellowjackets, and practicing self-care, than the noble pursuit of knowledge? Luckily, nerds, there are a whole bunch of reputable online learning platforms dedicated to helping you learn a few new things. Or maybe you're genuinely looking at a change in career. Perhaps you're just very into the back to school spirit. Perhaps you're someone who feels they could benefit from understanding things a little better, even if it's just learning how the hell HTML works.
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Perhaps you're someone who craves constant learning and upskilling, pursuing knowledge with the library-smashing ferocity of Evie Carnahan (that's Rachel Weisz in The Mummy, keep up).
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