17 Awesome Websites That You Can Learn New Skills… For Free!
Whether you’re a curious kid who is always taking things apart, or a baby boomer trying to keep up with new technology, the internet is a powerful resource where you can easily pick up new skills... all for free! From cooking to coding, here are some excellent websites to help you level up!
Updated 27 Jul 2016
The internet has opened up tonnes of opportunities for everyone around the world. Whether you're a curious kid who is always taking things apart, or a baby boomer trying to keep up with all the new technology, the internet is a powerful resource that can easily help you learn new skills.
And the best part? Many of these sites are completely free!
From cooking to coding, here are some excellent websites that can help you level up!
Academics: To help you with studies and work
1) Coursera
Offers online courses designed by partner universities and organisations from all over the world. Some notable institutions include Stanford University, Princeton University and University of Michigan. With a wide variety of courses covering Physics, Engineering, Medicine, Finance, Computer Science and more, Coursera is a powerful tool for free online education!
2) Khan Academy
With over 1,400 videos covering everything from basic mathematical concepts to all things science, Khan Academy has you covered with practice exercises, instructional videos and a personalised learning dashboard. Khan Academy promises to be free forever and has partnered with institutions like NASA and MIT to offer you specialised content.
3) Investopedia
Ask any finance student out there and they'll tell you how useful Investopedia has been throughout their academic life. A site that's dedicated to teach you about investing, personal finance and market analysis, everything you need to know about the complicated world of finance can be found in Investopedia!
4) Udemy
Similar to Coursera, Udemy also offers online courses, including business, entrepreneurship, health & fitness, music, language and technology. The key difference is that on Udemy, ANY instructor can build their own custom courses where others can sign up and learn — either for free, or for a fee. So if you have a skill that you want to share, you can be an instructor too!
Bonus: Have you heard of OpenLearning.com? It is now the official Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) platform for all public universities in Malaysia! This new initiative is introduced to foster a combination of online and in-class approach to form greater understanding of learning materials. Check out the courses on OpenLearning here »
Cooking: A crucial life skill for survival & to impress
5) Epicurious
Cooking can be a daunting task especially if all you can cook is Maggie Mee, but Epicurious offers easy how-to guides and recipes even a twelve-year-old can follow. It also publishes super useful articles, such as how to buy and use knives like a Michelin star chef.
6) Cooking Light
Just like Epicurious, Cooking Light offers yummy recipes but focuses on nutrition and eating healthily. It's the perfect website to learn quick and healthy recipes. Not only that, it also have nutrition tips & fitness guides. Fitness junkies would call this website a gold mine!
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Start nowProgramming: For those who have always wanted to code
7) Codecademy
Do codes make you feel like you’re reading an alien language? Codeacademy is fun and interactive way for you to learn how to code. It offers basic programming classes for those with zero knowledge, all the way up to advanced classes for coding veterans. You can even learn and partake in the classes with your friends!
8) Udacity
Another great place is Udacity, who has partnered with organisations like Google, Facebook and AT&T to create a range of tech-related courses. One of the key highlights of Udacity is that their courses contain quizzes and follow-up homework. This is part of their "learn by doing" model to help you understand concepts and reinforce ideas.
9) Code.org
Code.org helps you learn the very basics of computer science via drag and drop. It's designed to make coding accessible to everyone, including kids. Code.org's simplifies the complexity of learning how to code through fun tutorials, such as Flappy Bird and Frozen.
How To + DIY: To overcome everyday problems
10) wikiHow
Whether it's installing a computer fan, removing scratches from your car or fixing a broken zipper, wikiHow has got you covered. It offers an extensive database of how-to guides, where you can learn to do just about anything in a detailed step-by-step manner. It even feature tips and warnings, and images are included at every step of the way to make sure you don't go astray!
11) HowCast
Just like wikiHow, HowCast aims to help you do just about anything, from writing research papers and taking great photos, to beat-boxing and surviving killer bee attacks! The difference is that HowCast also uses short, fun and informational videos instead of just text.
Languages: To transform your travel experience
12) Duolingo
Want to learn a new language before going on your next holiday? Check out Duolingo! It's one of the best resources to learn languages for free, AND it's free from ads too. With bite-sized lessons and incorporating gamification, it's a fun and addictive way to learn a new language.
13) Memrise
Memrise uses flashcards and mnemonics to boost the speed and ease of learning a new language. It also gives you the opportunity to compete with friends, making the learning process more challenging and competitive!
Music: For the creative
14) Justin Guitar
Always wanted to play the guitar? With over 850 guitar lessons that are completely free, Justin Guitar is a great place for you to pick up the basics and start learning chords. He also has specific courses for certain topics, such as transcribing, ear training and recording technology!
15) Berklee Online
Berklee Online is the online extension school of the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Watch hours of in-depth lessons, industry interviews, exclusive clinics and course overviews by experienced instructors, all for free!
Other Cool Stuff
16) TED
Looking for inspirational stories and educational talks? TED delivers just that, with noteworthy professionals speaking from all around the world. TED makes their content extremely entertaining, often discussing new exciting ideas and ground-breaking discoveries.
17) HowStuffWorks
HowStuffWorks gives you an insight into how everyday objects are made and how they work. Pictures, videos, diagrams and even animations are used to explain complex concepts and mechanisms, helping you to learn something new everyday!
Do you know of any sites where you can learn new skills? Let us know in the comments below!
Stanley Low
A finance and economics graduate. Curious by nature and loves to spend his days dreaming.
