We often hear that we are never too old to learn something new. It has never been easier to learn new things than it is now. The internet has opened the doors to new ways of learning and I’m here for it. Now, all I need is to find the time to take all the courses I want to take.

1. Public Speaking – This free online course offered by edX can help you develop public speaking skills and boost your confidence.
2. Introduction to Psychology – This course offered by MIT OpenCourseWare can help you understand the basics of human behavior and the workings of the mind.
3. Women Making History: Ten Objects, Many Stories – This course given from Harvard University showcases the stories of 10 women who were influential in various fields, including science, literature, politics, and activism.
4. Introduction to Philosophy – This free online course offered by OpenLearn can help you learn about philosophical concepts and develop critical thinking skills.
5. Basics of Digital Photography – This course offered by Alison can help you learn about the basics of digital photography.

What Learning Can Do for You

Learning new things as we get older is important for a number of reasons.

Cognitive Stimulation

Learning new things can help keep our brains active and stimulated, which is beneficial for cognitive health. It is proven that seniors who engaged in cognitive activities such as reading, writing, and playing games had a lower risk of developing dementia than those who did not.

Social Engagement

Taking online classes can also provide opportunities for social engagement and interaction, which has been shown to be important for the mental and emotional well-being of older adults.

Financial Benefits

Learning new skills and knowledge can also have financial benefits. Imagine putting your new skills to work and earning money.

Where to Learn Online

There are many online training websites and platforms that offer a wide range of courses, but here are some of the most popular and highly rated.

These online learning websites were chosen because they fit these criteria:

• User-friendly platform.
• Interesting and well-planned courses.
• Quality instructors and teachers.
• High enrollment.
• Excellent reviews from students.

Coursera is one of the largest and most popular online training websites, offering courses from top universities and institutions around the world. They offer courses in a wide range of subjects, including business, computer science, health, and humanities.

Udemy is another popular online training platform that offers courses in a wide range of topics, including business, technology, personal development, and creative arts. Many of the courses are created by experts in their respective fields.

LinkedIn Learning is a platform that offers thousands of courses on business, technology, and creative skills. The courses are taught by industry experts and are designed to help learners enhance their skills and advance their careers.

Skillshare is another online learning community that offers courses on creative skills such as design, photography, and writing. The courses are taught by industry professionals and are designed to be interactive and engaging.

edX is an online learning platform that curates courses from top universities and institutions around the world. They offer courses in a wide range of subjects, including business, computer science, and engineering.

FutureLearn is a platform that offers courses from top universities and institutions around the world. They offer courses in a wide range of subjects, including business, health, and humanities.

The courses on MasterClass are taught by well-known and highly successful individuals such as Martin Scorsese, Annie Leibovitz, and Gordon Ramsay. The platform offers a subscription-based model, where learners pay a monthly or yearly fee to access all the courses on the platform.

These are just a few of the most popular online training websites, but there are many other platforms available as well. The best platform for you will depend on your individual needs and interests. Make sure to read the reviews from former students.

Top-Rated Free Online Courses

There are many free courses online on a variety of topics. From psychology to photography, there’s sure to be a course that is perfect for you.

Here is a list of some of the most interesting and top-rated courses that I found.

These classes were chosen because they meet most, if not all, of these criteria:

• They are FREE!
• They offer interesting course material.
• They are suitable choices for women over 50.
• They have qualified instructors.
• They have excellent reviews from students who took the class or have a high enrollment.

Public Speaking

This free online course offered by edX can help you develop public speaking skills and boost your confidence. The course is designed to provide you with a foundation in public speaking and develop your ability to create and deliver effective presentations.

The course is delivered through a series of video lectures, tests, and assignments. The lectures cover topics such as speech preparation, delivery techniques, visual aids, and handling questions from the audience. The course also provides tips on managing anxiety and nervousness, and strategies for dealing with unexpected situations during presentations.

Throughout the course, you have the opportunity to practice your public speaking skills through a series of assignments. These assignments require you to create and deliver short speeches on various topics. You also receive feedback from peers and the course instructor, which helps you identify areas for improvement.

The course is self-paced, which means you can complete it at your own speed. It typically takes around 6-8 weeks to complete, and you should expect to spend 4-6 hours per week on coursework. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate of completion.

Introduction to Psychology

Have you always wanted to learn about psychology? This free online course offered by MIT OpenCourseWare can help you understand the basics of human behavior and the workings of the mind.

The Introduction to Psychology course is a free, self-paced online course designed to introduce you to the study of human behavior and mental processes. The course covers a wide range of topics in psychology, including neuroscience, perception, learning, memory, language, emotion, social psychology, and abnormal psychology.

The course is designed with lecture videos that are presented by Professor John Gabrieli, who is a renowned researcher in the field of cognitive neuroscience. In addition to the lecture videos, the course also includes a range of supplementary materials, including readings, assignments, and tests.

One of the strengths of the Introduction to Psychology course is that it provides you with a comprehensive overview of the field of psychology, while also delving into some of the latest research and theories. For example, the course includes lectures on the neural basis of consciousness, the psychology of decision making, and the relationship between stress and health.

Women Making History: Ten Objects, Many Stories

Are you a history buff? The Women Making History: Ten Objects, Many Stories course is an exhibition created by the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. The course showcases the stories of 10 women who were influential in various fields, including science, literature, politics, and activism.

Each woman’s story is told through an object that is significant to her life and work. For example, you will learn about a microscope belonging to developmental biologist Evelyn Witkin, who was instrumental in uncovering the effects of radiation on DNA.

The course aims to highlight the diverse contributions of women throughout history and challenge the idea that women’s achievements have been overshadowed or erased. Each object and the story it represents is a testament to the impact that women have had on various fields and the importance of recognizing their contributions.

Introducing Philosophy

This free online course is offered by OpenLearn (the Open University’s free online learning platform) and can help you learn about philosophical concepts and develop critical thinking skills.

The course provides an overview of some of the central questions and themes in philosophy, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and political philosophy.

The course consists of a series of interactive activities and tests, which help you engage with the material and test your understanding.

The course is designed for beginners and assumes no prior knowledge of philosophy. You can complete the course at your own pace and on your own schedule.

By the end of the course, you should have a basic understanding of the main branches of philosophy and some of the key debates and ideas within each branch. The course is a great starting point if you are interested in pursuing further studies in philosophy or simply wanting to explore some of the big questions of human existence.

Introduction to Digital Photography

Basics of Digital Photography is a free online course offered by Alison, a global e-learning provider. The course aims to teach you the fundamental principles of digital photography and how to take great photos with a digital camera.

The course is structured around a series of modules, each covering a different aspect of digital photography.

• Introduction to Digital Photography: This module covers the basics of digital photography, including how digital cameras work, the different types of cameras, and the advantages of digital photography over traditional film photography.
• Understanding Exposure: This module covers the three main elements of exposure – aperture, shutter speed, and ISO – and how to use them to create well-exposed photos.
• Composition and Technique: This module covers the principles of composition, including framing, rule of thirds, and leading lines, and how to use them to create visually appealing photos.
• Lighting: This module covers the basics of lighting in photography, including the different types of lighting, how to use natural light to your advantage, and how to use flash effectively.
• Post-Processing: This module covers the basics of post-processing, including how to edit and enhance your photos using software such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom.

The course is self-paced, which means that you can study at your own speed and on your own schedule. The course is designed for beginners and assumes no prior knowledge of digital photography.

After successfully completing the course, you will have a solid understanding of the basic principles of digital photography and should be able to take great photos with a digital camera.

How to Successfully Learn Online

Choose the Right Courses for You

Choose courses that are aligned with your interests and learning objectives. Look for courses that are taught by experts in their respective fields and have high ratings and positive reviews from other learners.

Set Realistic Goals

Before starting a course or program, it’s important to set specific and realistic goals and objectives for what you want to achieve. This can help you stay focused and motivated throughout the learning process.

Create a Study Schedule

Creating a study schedule can help you stay organized and make progress towards your learning goals. It’s important to set aside dedicated time each day or week for learning.

Engage Actively with Fellow Students

Active engagement is key to effective online learning. Participate in discussion forums, complete assignments, and interact with other learners to stay engaged and motivated.

Seek Feedback

Seek feedback from instructors or peers to help you improve your understanding of the course material and identify areas for improvement.

Celebrate Your Achievements

Celebrate your progress and achievements along the way, and remember that learning is a lifelong process.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you ever taken a course or program online? What subjects are you interested in? Tell us about it in the comments section below.