Want to master a new computer language? Brush up on your calculus? Learn how to fix your car? No sweat. With the vast array of college courses and podcasts available online, the apple of knowledge is ripe for the clicking. Here, we’ve narrowed the options to our favorites—the best of the geeky best, from free podcasts and lectures to accredited distance-learning programs from major universities. UNIVERSITY EXTENSION PROGRAMS:
MIT OpenCourseWare
What Is It? Similar in philosophy to open-source software, OpenCourseWare offers anyone free access to course materials for virtually all of MIT’s undergraduate and graduate courses. Once upon a time, you needed at least a library card to get a free education. But with this site, you can get rocket-scientist smart without even paying late fees.
Why’s It Cool? This is a site for people who enjoy the pure pleasure of learning. You won’t get credit for any of the course work—in fact, you won’t even have access to teachers—but if you’re a self-starter and curious, you can dabble in any of the subjects that MIT offers.
Can’t Miss? The sheer volume of subjects available is stunning. The site offers course materials in everything from aeronautics to biological engineering to linguistics.
Harvard Extension School
What Is It? The Harvard Extension School provides access to roughly 100 online courses in art, science, math and technology, all from the comfort of your couch. Upcoming fall courses range from an introduction to Greek literature to a variety of Web-development classes.
Why’s It Cool? These courses bring students right into the classroom with video lectures that are posted along with the other course materials. Bonus: Distance learners are always welcome to drop in on the real lecture if they happen to be passing through campus.
Can’t Miss? For a sneak peek of what these courses are like, a few sample lectures are available online.
Stanford Center for Professional Development
What Is It? The school offers more than 250 courses in subjects ranging from bioengineering to nanotechnology. Coursework is delivered through a variety of mediums, including the Internet, television broadcast, videotapes and two-way video. Scientists and engineers flock to this program to enhance their professional skills.
Why’s It Cool? The classes fit a wide variety of educational needs. Students can enroll in short courses and seminars aimed at improving skills in specific areas, or they can sign up for the long haul with certificate programs and even graduate-degree programs.
Can’t Miss? Instructors include some of the crème de la crème of Stanford’s school of engineering.
SINGLE-SUBJECT COURSES:
O’Reilly School of Technology
What Is It? Whether you’re a coding novice or an open-source enthusiast, the O’Reilly School of Technology has a class in Web development to suit your needs, including HTML, Linux/Unix, Java and XML, to name just a few. The school also offers certificate programs in a variety of subjects like Linux/Unix system administration and .NET programming. Students gain credits through the University of Illinois Office of Continuing Education.
Why’s It Cool? Course materials dispense with convoluted tech-speak and instead go for a casual, fun tone that makes the information easier to retain.
Can’t Miss? Anyone who uses the Internet regularly could benefit from learning HTML. The “Introduction to HTML and CSS” course fits that bill perfectly and provides a great base for moving on to more complicated classes.
The NetMath Program through the University of Illinois
What Is It? This granddaddy of online math programs has been helping home-schoolers, university kids and professionals put two and two together since 1991. The school’s offerings include algebra and trigonometry, analytic geometry, and calculus for business. Students receive credits from the University of Illinois, an accredited Big Ten university.
Why’s It Cool? With a holistic learning approach that engages the whole brain (including the part that likes to have fun), NetMath takes the “I want to jump out the window” out of math class. Each course incorporates interactive software that gives students a more exciting and memorable way to learn than old-school, one-dimensional textbooks.
Can’t Miss? The program uses Mathematica software to help students visualize abstract algebraic concepts.
Auto Mechanic program at Ashworth University
What Is It? You can become your own grease monkey with this professional-level auto repair course. The program offers a series of 20 lessons that teach everything from engine assembly to fixing a car’s heating and air conditioning systems.
Why’s It Cool? The lessons are just as well suited to the auto enthusiast who wants to tinker in his own garage as it is to pre-professional mechanics.
Can’t Miss? The tools—this course comes with lots of ‘em. Included in the cost of the class is a wrench set, socket wrench set, screwdrivers and tire gauge.
PC Repair at Penn Foster Career School
What Is It? Penn Foster offers a sequence of classes designed for people who want to become PC-repair technicians. The courses will teach you how to repair PCs, printers and PDAs, as well as cover PC operating systems and data recovery. Sick of calling in the professionals every time your PC crashes? Complete this program, and you’ll be able to do it yourself.
Why’s It Cool? You don’t need to be a computer whiz to take these classes. The first lessons teach the basics of computer language and the fundamental elements of hardware and software—all at a pace you can set yourself.
Can’t Miss? If you’re actually looking to switch careers and become a full-fledged PC repair technician, the Penn Foster Career School will help you find a job.
