What are some free or low-cost resources for lifelong learning?

Online learning platforms provide low-cost access to industry experts globally. I leverage these to learn from seasoned professionals in my field. My skills grow exponentially thanks to their wisdom. Applying for Coursera's Financial Aid Program is also a good strategy.

Free masterclasses are an excellent resource for lifelong learning. They are led by experts who use them to attract students to their more expensive, comprehensive programs. However, you can learn plenty from just the free classes. They're an easy and engaging way to learn about new topics or deepen existing knowledge. Make the most of them by actively participating. Additionally, many of these masterclasses offer opportunities to network with other learners. The communities that often form around these classes can serve as a valuable source of support and inspiration.

It is amazing to witness how accessible education has been since the introduction of online courses. What I love about them is that they are time-flexible. Learning no longer has to conflict with other important aspects of life such as work and family. They are also cost-friendly. I am so in love with online courses because I can now learn whatever I want to learn, at the comfort of my own home.

I have opted for many courses from Microsoft Learn as it offers a wide range of free courses and flexible learning paths ranging from a 30 minute course to 7 hour learning paths/courses. It offers topics related to Microsoft technologies, including cloud computing, data science, software development, and education. Users can enroll in courses for free and earn certifications/badges upon completion.

MOOCs are a great source of information, most of them will examine the knowledge acquired as well. Free online certifications are also great and will add value to your CV as well, those are my favs free learning sources at the moment.

This is how I LEARN: Podcasts: I listen while at the gym or running, an easy way to learn while staying active. Audiobooks: I play them before bed, a perfect way to relax and absorb new knowledge simultaneously. Anyone else do the same?

Podcasts are an excellent way to learn on the go. You can find podcasts covering a wide range of topics, including science, history, philosophy, and personal development. Some popular educational podcasts include "Stuff You Should Know" and "TED Radio Hour."

The day I realized how important audio-books are was when I finished listening to Brian Tracy's 'The Psychology of Selling'. I only had time to listen to this audio book when I was driving. In less than a week, I finished the entire book. I learned that audiobooks and podcasts are flexible and do not require the same focus as physical books. I believe these are some of the greatest inventions of our time. Learning or acquiring information has never been this easy.

I am just starting to utilize podcasts but haven’t been into audiobooks. While writing this, I realized that it maybe the case since I am a “kinesthetic” learner so I prefer hands on type of learning and I am a “logical-mathematical” in terms of multiple intelligence. Why I am mentioning this? Because I want to reiterate that #lifelonglearning should consider your learning profile when you practice it. The more you align how you consume information and learning with your learning style and your multiple intelligence, the faster and more effective you can consume and process learning.

Local libraries often provide free access to books, e-books, audiobooks, and educational resources. Many libraries also offer free or discounted access to online learning platforms, such as Lynda.com or LinkedIn Learning.

As bibliotecas públicas oferecem um vasto acervo de livros e recursos digitais, acessíveis gratuitamente. Livrarias muitas vezes disponibilizam áreas de leitura e permitem o acesso a uma grande variedade de obras a baixo custo. Esses espa?os s?o excelentes para quem deseja adquirir conhecimento de forma acessível e contínua.

Libraries are the best place to go. You can use the space to read, use their computer that gives you access to the internet, get a card to borrow books and e-books, and watch documentaries. And you visit libraries you can meet people at the same time. They often offer free classes in different fields.

Attending classes at a local community college or going to extracurricular events hosted by a university are great ways to surround yourself with a passionate, academic community.

In Lesotho, we have what we call youth centers. They offer a mini-library and mentors. These are also great places for youth to establish new relationships with positive, vision-led individuals. I remember that our local youth center also provided free chess and English lessons. Having community centers is an opportunity for increased access to diverse education.

I've found LinkedIn as a valuable platform for educators, administrators, and learners to connect, collaborate, and share knowledge. It has provided me a platform to engage in professional development, networking, and continuous learning, I've joined groups related to my field of expertise or teaching interests to stay updated on the latest educational trends, teaching methodologies, and resources. LinkedIn allows educators to connect with colleagues, mentors, and thought leaders in the education sector. It offers a variety of educational content, including articles, posts, and courses on topics relevant to education. I have personally used these resources to expand my knowledge, acquire new skills, and stay informed.

Um recurso simples e efetivo é contar para pessoas em quem você confia ou pessoas que você admira o que você está aprendendo ou gostaria de aprender. às vezes elas já têm muito a ensinar e compartilhar, só n?o estavam sabendo que você estava buscando por determinado aprendizado. Grandes aprendizados também acontecem em momentos sociais, como um café ou via troca de emails.

Cuando pienso en recursos para el aprendizaje permanente, suelo recurrir a plataformas accesibles y colaborativas. Por ejemplo, me encanta explorar comunidades en LinkedIn o unirme a discusiones en Quora, donde siempre aprendo algo nuevo. También utilizo Griky, que ofrece una amplia gama de cursos y recursos educativos a bajo costo, conectando con universidades de toda LATAM. Además, redes como Reddit me permiten descubrir perspectivas y soluciones que no siempre se encuentran en libros o cursos formales. La clave está en buscar espacios que no solo te ense?en, sino que también te permitan compartir y crecer junto a otros.

Even with busy schedules, we can benefit from project-based learning. Break down difficult skills into achievable targets. Spend small bursts (30 minutes or even less) on focused learning (instructional videos, relevant books). Use that knowledge in micro projects related to the day's job. Repurpose tasks (presentations, shadowing) for stimulating practical skill development. Also, use podcasts or audiobooks to learn throughout your commute. Start with small steps, and keep the ball rolling.

This is one of my favorite ways to learn. For example, a couple of years ago, I wanted to learn about Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs). At that time, they were still a relatively new concept, so I could not find any books on the topic, but I read articles, Twitter posts, and white papers. In addition, I joined several DAOs and took on several projects in order to get hands-on experience and a better understanding of what goes into operating and participating in a DAO.

I am currently engaging in self-led learning of Personal Finances. To achieve my goal of fully understanding Budgeting, Investing and wealth creation, I have laid out my very own designed study guide and objectives. My methods of learning are primarily reading physical books and listening to audio programs. At the end of this project, O will have developed a much better understanding of personal finances.

Free or low-cost resources for lifelong learning include online platforms like Coursera, edX, and Khan Academy, offering courses from universities worldwide on various subjects. YouTube channels, such as CrashCourse and TED-Ed, provide educational videos. For those interested in technology and coding, Codecademy and freeCodeCamp offer interactive coding lessons. Public libraries are invaluable resources, offering not only books but also access to digital resources and workshops. Meetup and Eventbrite list local workshops and seminars, often free or low-cost. Additionally, government and educational institution websites frequently offer free resources and courses for professional development.

Chatbots as co-pilots for lifelong learning are game-changers. These AI assistants offer 24/7 access to vast knowledge tailored to your pace and style. They're patient, never judge, and explain complex topics in multiple ways. Use them creatively to brainstorm ideas, practice languages, or get instant feedback. They can challenge you with questions, deepening your understanding and critical thinking. Best of all, chatbots are free and constantly improving. They adapt to your needs, making learning more engaging and personalized. With a chatbot co-pilot, you can explore new subjects, reinforce knowledge, and stay curious. Embrace this technology, and you'll have a tireless learning companion always ready to help you grow.

Depending on where we work, some companies offer workshops, online/offline courses and many other ways for us to learn and gain new skills, or improve our existing ones. We should check with our direct managers, HR or the learning departments for further information

If you are tired, just play an audio book and close your eyes. You will be amazed at how much information you can absorb when your mind is in a slightly sleepy state. Audio books have actually made learning less demanding and more fun.