The New Era of Education
Decades ago, getting an education meant spending tens of thousands of dollars over the course of years to attend a college. With the popularity of the internet and the rapid dispersal of information, however, there are more ways to learn than ever. Whether you want to get certified for something online, learn all about a topic or even get a college degree, you can do it for free. If you're wondering how you can further your education without investing tens of thousands in college tuition, here's what you need to know about the new era of education.
A Little Research
If you're simply trying to master something without getting a degree or certificate for your education, the internet is the best solution. You can learn about anything you can possibly imagine on the internet as long as you're willing to do a little research. The most basic way to find this sort of information is to simply Google the things you want to know about. However, there are websites that make your research a lot easier, especially if you're looking for answers to particular questions.
Quora is a great example of a website that makes learning on the internet easier. Quora is a question-and-answer website where people from all over the world ask and answer questions spanning every topic. If you want to know why a ceiling fan pulls air upward on one setting and downward on another setting, you can find that answer. One of the best parts about Quora is the wide range of questions the platform is used for. While you can find a lot of basic information, you can also find answers to specific questions about more advanced topics like programming, physics, astronomy and more.
Get Certified
Learning is always a good thing, but it's even better when your education gets you a certificate or degree that you can use to prove your expertise and land a job. Thanks to the internet, you have tons of choices if you want to earn a certificate in any field. These certificates aren't the same as a college degree, but they still provide great benefits in terms of education and credentials. The key to making sure you're getting valuable certification is doing your research to make sure you work with an accredited program.
Certification can earn you a spot in a lot of different industries, but technology is one of the most promising fields that you can get certified in. Whether you want to be a master of network security or specialize in Microsoft software, there are programs out there for you. Some of the other popular certification options include medical transcription, paralegal work, medical coding, accounting and office support.
Free Online College
For as long as college has been a staple of education in America, it's also been known as a luxury that very few can afford out of pocket. That being the case, it may be a little hard to imagine that there are free online college courses available, but there are. Much like online certification programs, the one thing you need to be careful of when it comes to free online college courses is accreditation. If you want to earn a college degree, you need to make sure you're working with an accredited program or your work won't count for anything.
The good news is, there are tons of accredited free online college programs that allow you to earn a degree without spending thousands. Some colleges that offer free online education include Arizona State University, Brown University, Stanford, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Another thing you'll want to look at before you begin taking free college courses online is whether or not you can earn a degree through those free courses. While some universities offer free online college education that eventually leads to a degree, others simply offer a few free courses that are designed to save you a bit of money.
Getting a good education is one of the best ways to get ahead in the world, but it's tough when you consider the cost. Thanks to the internet, you have tons of free or affordable education options available to you. If you're looking to further your education for free, check out some of the resources on the internet.