Looking for a new or updated mission and vision? Desiring a better future? Look to Online Studies
More and more people are going to online studies and instruction these days. People of all ages, both young and old, are seeking a better defined mission and vision for the future. There are many sites that offer online studies, both for free and for a fee. Five of the top providers are:
The Great Courses – offers over 500 courses. Lectures are about half an hour and courses range from 6 to 96 lectures. Courses are purchased as online modules or on CDs/DVDs. Prices range from $15 to $230. Special offers are given by Great Courses Plus and Amazon Prime.
Big Think – offer topics ranging from business and technology to health and entertainment. There is a new podcast every week for 45 to 60 minutes, on a different subject. There are also lots of articles and videos, all free.
Universal Class – courses in do it yourself, history, and cooking are some of the courses available. Average time commitment is 10 to 20 hours, including class time, assignments and exams.
Yale University – professors from this school offer an array of free courses, varying from the liberal arts to the sciences. Lectures are supplemented with syllabi, transcripts and other specific resources.
EDX – this was developed by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Its mission is to make higher education available to more people. Time commitments range from 45 minutes for a single lecture to a few hours a week for up to 12 weeks.
Some quick tips for studying online:
1 – Try before you buy – preview courses before you enroll. Be sure the instructor’s style is right for you, especially if paying
2 -understand the requirements – do you need to complete tasks before moving on? … is there a real-time element requiring you to join classes at set times? …be sure a class works for your schedule.
3 – make the time commitment – schedule the days and times you plan to take the courses and stick to it.
4 – Do not multi-task or take short cuts – if you do not engage, you will not learn. Engage and learn!
5 – study and practice – commit to doing assignments; a helpful aspect of online learning – you can go back and review lectures and assignments when you need to.