There's no longer any doubt that your computer is a virtual university where you can study just about any subject you choose - economics, history, languages, politics, science and lots more. Whether you choose to pursue a degree online or simply want to broaden your knowledge, many courses are either free for the taking or offered at prices so low, they would make a traditional college or university gasp for air. Here's a rundown on some of the some remarkable educational values that are as close as the nearest computer. iTunes College Podcasts The selection of free iTunes educational podcasts is astonishing. There are lectures - both in video and audio format - from Duke University, the University of California and other top institutions. You can take complete courses too, though not for college credit. Example: There are no fewer than 20 podcast courses on learning English as a second language. And there are dozens of podcasts on other subjects too, from philosophy to classical music to European history. LectureFox LectureFox is a virtual gateway to lectures at CalTech, Princeton, MIT, Tufts, Yale and other top schools. Want to learn about Plato's dialogues, or about economics or the history of western music? This is your go-to place. Example: "The Rise of the Creative Class," a video lecture from George Mason University. Deutsche Welle's Free Online German Course The German Radio (Deutsche Welle) offers a free German course that's such a standout, we're mentioning it under a separate heading here. This interactive course is state-of-the-art in every way. Yale Online Courses Many universities are starting to make their lectures available online. Yale leads the pack, with a formidable selection of video lectures on a variety of subjects: Astronomy; Biomedical Engineering; Chemistry; Classics; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Economics; English; History; Art History; Italian Language and Literature; Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology; Music; Philosophy; Physics; Political Science; Psychology; and Religious Studies. One great choice: Introduction to Ancient Greek History, taught by a very smart, very funny lecturer, Professor Donald Kagan. Not all these institutions offer free instruction, but their offerings are worth investigating: Berklee College of Music Carnegie Mellon University Gresham College Johns Hopkins University Massachusetts Institute of Technology New York University Open University (United Kingdom) Stanford University Tufts University University of California at Berkeley University of Notre Dame University of Washington Utah State University Utah Valley State College Vanderbilt University Top-Value Colleges for Distance Learning A growing number of established, accredited American colleges and universities are offering distance-learning courses that allow students to complete degrees at far lower cost than at traditional "brick and mortar" schools. Here are some institutions that offer excellent value in distance learning: American Intercontinental University Ashford University Assumption College Capella University Charter Oak State College Colorado State University Global Campus DeVry University Excelsior College Florida Gateway College Fort Hays State University Jefferson Community & Technical College Kaplan University Nazarene Bible College Potomac College Thompson Rivers University University of Akron Western Governors University StraighterLIne StraighterLine is an entirely new kind of high-value educational institution. More than 15 credited courses are now offered for online study most of which - like College Algebra and English Composition I - can be found in the core curriculums of colleges nationwide. Costs are remarkably low - StraighterLine makes it possible to complete a freshman year of college for less than $1,000. When courses are completed, the credits can be used to matriculate in one of StraighterLine's growing number of partner colleges. In Summary With the costs of college rising yearly, online study has stepped in and is promising to make reasonably priced education available to students everywhere. Whether you are seeking a degree online or simply want to take some courses to enrich your knowledge, you have waited until the right time. Online learning is today!
Please Rate this Article 5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5
Not yet Rated
