Free Online Courses

Course / Program Name: Start Writing Fiction

Hosted by / Sponsored by: The Open University

Course of Study: Writing / Literature

Course Link: Take this course.

Description: This free online course is offered by the UK’s The Open University. It’s an introductory level fiction writing course, and is expected to take approximately 12 hours to complete the 11 lessons spread across the following four units:

• Introduction – An introductory look at characters and settings
• Character – Lessons on creating deeper characters, including sources for character inspiration
• Setting – Understanding the role of a story’s setting as antagonist
• Genre – An introduction to the many genres of fiction writing

The course also includes an online glossary of terms.

Course / Program Name: Writing and Reading Short Stories

Hosted by / Sponsored by: MIT

Course of Study: Writing / Literature

Course Link: Take this course.

Description: This free online course is a part of MIT’s OpenCourseWare program. As a student, you’ll be able to explore lecture handouts and past student stories as you learn about the art of short story writing.

The original on-campus course involved writing workshops designed to have students write their own short stories. You can pursue this on your own using the included lecture notes in the “readings” section, even though you won’t have class interaction to evaluate those stories.

Course / Program Name: Introduction to Fiction

Hosted by / Sponsored by: MIT

Course of Study: Writing / Literature

Course Link: Take this course.

Description: This free online course is a part of MIT’s OpenCourseWare initiative, and is designed to teach the student the fundamentals of better understanding fictional works.

Unlike many of the MIT free online courses, this one includes some of the reading materials in downloadable format.

You’ll look at novels from Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, Leo Tolstoy, and others as you explore a variety of narrative styles.

Course / Program Name: Learn How the U.S. Economy Works in 5 Days

Hosted by / Sponsored by: About.com

Course of Study: Economics

Course Link: Take this course.

Description: We hear about the U.S. economy every day – recession, stimulus packages, taxes. There’s a lot to understand, and average citizens can now get a stronger grasp on the basics thanks to About U.

This free online course is a 5-day email class that will help you better understand the concepts of recession, GDP, the Federal Reserve, trade, and more.

Course / Program Name: How to Make Beaded Jewelry

Hosted by / Sponsored by: Expert Village

Course of Study: Hobbies: Jewelry-making

Course Link: Take this course.

Description: If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to make jewelry, this free online course from Expert Village can get you started. In it you’ll learn how to create beaded jewelry, from getting inspiration to making multiple-strand beaded necklaces.

This course is offered as a series of 13 videos, so you can view actual demonstrations of beading techniques. You’ll learn how to work with a variety of beading materials including leather, glass, crystal, pearls, and gemstone beads.

Course / Program Name: Beginning Genealogy

Hosted by / Sponsored by: Genealogy.com

Course of Study: Hobbies: Genealogy

Course Link: Take this course.

Description: Genealogy.com offers several free online courses covering family history research. This course is directed at beginning genealogists. Broken into two parts and a total of 14 lessons, the Beginning Genealogy course introduces the student to the types of records they’ll encounter, such as vital records, census records, and other civil registrations in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

Lessons are broken down in a sort of slideshow format, and are text / reading-based. The course was created and offered on the site by Genealogy Research Associates.

Course / Program Name: Insomnia

Hosted by / Sponsored by: Health U

Course of Study: Health / Medical

Course Link: Take this course.

Description: Health U offers several free online health courses. This insomnia course is available after free registration on the site, and includes four lectures on the causes of and treatments for insomnia (the inability to get a good night’s sleep).

Health experts not only talk about the causes of insomnia, but you’ll also learn about the detrimental health effects of not getting enough sleep.

Course / Program Name: XHTML 101

Hosted by / Sponsored by: About.com

Course of Study: Programming / Web Development

Course Link: Take this course.

Description: About.com offers this free introductory look at HTML / XHTML. It’s an email course, with lessons sent out weekly over 11 weeks. If you want to move faster, there is also an option to request lessons individually (such as if you missed one in your email).

This course will teach you:

• Differences between XHTML and basic HTML
• Basic XHTML
• How to manipulate text in XHTML
• How to create lists
• How to include images
• How to handle linking
• How to create and manage tables
• How to deal with frames
• Basics of how to include forms

Those who complete the final exam / skills test successfully at the completion of the free online course will receive a certificate of completion. The course is provided by Jennifer Kyrnin.

Course / Program Name: Introduction to Bioengineering

Hosted by / Sponsored by: MIT

Course of Study: Biology / Engineering

Course Link: Take this course.

Description: This free online course serves as a student’s introduction to bioengineering, and is a part of MIT’s OpenCourseWare initiative. Users will start of learning about molecular cell and systems biology before getting into bioengineering options.

This course material includes student-generated lecture notes, an assignment list, and also video and audio lectures from MIT faculty and a guest lecturer.

Course / Program Name: Fundamentals of Microsoft Office

Hosted by / Sponsored by: Free-ed.net

Course of Study: Computer Basics: Software

Course Link: Take this course.

Description: If you’re new to the Microsoft Office suite, this free online computer course is for you. You’ll be introduced to the Office software, including Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Access, Publisher, and FrontPage. (Note: This course is based on Microsoft Office 2003. In later versions, FrontPage has been replaced. Not all versions of Microsoft Office include all software covered in this course.)

This computer course is broken down into 26 lessons spread across 9 sections. You’ll learn the basics of creating and using documents, spreadsheets, presentations, Web pages, email and contact management, and desktop publishing.