Online classes you’ll actually enjoy
I hate being bored. When I get bored, I end up re-watching series I have already re-watched half a dozen times before, and slowly slip into a coma of stagnation that gets increasingly difficult to wake myself up from. I recently made the adult decision to not rewatch all of 30 Rock or Parks and Recreation again but instead to use some of this newfound time to learn some new skills — watercolour, baking, and graphic design, among others.
We are blessed with a handful of online learning platforms that make it possible to learn these new skills, with a Netflix-style approach to learning. It is possible to binge-watch lectures, lessons, and workshops all in the comfort of your own home, and in the time convenient for you. I have done the work of sifting through the most popular options to give you some ideas of where you should invest your time and money.
Skillshare: One of the most popular online course platforms, Skillshare is definitely geared toward the creative, teaching skills like animation, illustration, photography, watercolour, Photoshop, web design, creative writing, video editing, sound mixing, user interface design, and more. There are some classes on business, but even these are mostly all geared toward the creative professional, featuring classes on analytics, marketing, productivity, and how to thrive as a freelance artist. What really stands out to me about Skillshare are their high-quality videos, as most classes are Skillshare originals and courses made by professional videographers and YouTubers. You can try Skillshare free for two months to get a taste of everything they have to offer, and if you love it like I did, you can buy a year-long membership.
Udemy: There are classes for everything you could ever possibly want to learn on this site. They even offer “accredited” certification courses on topics like happiness life coach, diploma in sports nutrition, and counselling children and adolescents. Courses range from $24.99 – $204.99, and include lifetime access to on-demand videos, articles, and downloadable material. Honestly, I would steer clear from Udemy, as I find it almost unethical that they would advertise “accredited” social work and psychology certificates when Udemy is not an accredited institution, and these certificates cannot be used as formal accreditation.
Coursera: This platform is geared toward those interested in university-level courses, and they even offer full degrees and certificates from universities around the world. Coursera gives you the option to pay $68 for each course (or per month for degree and certifications) and afterward receive a certificate of completion, or you can audit most courses for free, with full access to teachings and materials. All courses come with lectures, readings, and even quizzes and assignments to complete, all in a very similar format to normal university courses. This is a really great option for anyone who is interested in auditing a subject, but does not want all the pressure and investment of a university course. I would strongly recommend taking a few Coursera courses to complement your degree, especially in subjects you need a little more help grasping.
Khan Academy: This learning platform offers educational content for all students from kindergarten to undergraduate studies. Don’t bypass this useful resource just because they also teach third-grade English, as there is a wide variety of courses for university students as well. You can get extra help in statistics, algebra, macroeconomics, computer programming, or world history. They even offer courses in life skills such as personal finance and career planning. Definitely check this option out for a little extra help this semester.
Masterclass: I have saved the best for last, my friends. Masterclass is truly next level, as they offer classes from the top professionals in their respected fields — Anna Wintour, Annie Leibovitz, RuPaul, Simone Biles, Gordon Ramsey, Stephen Curry, Margaret Atwood, Martin Scorsese, Christina Aguilera, Steve Martin, Dr. Jane Goodall, and countless other literal masters of their craft. Not only are the instructors the most qualified people to teach on their subjects, but each lesson has the same quality as a short film, and each one is usually a satisfying 15 minutes, so it’s easy to watch one or two during whatever downtime you have during the day. Masterclass comes with a hefty annual subscription of $240, or $20/month. I was slightly hesitant to pay what seems like a large sum of money for some online classes, but honestly you can’t get this level of instruction from anywhere else. The one criticism I have against Masterclass is that they have significantly more white male instructors than black, Indigenous, and female instructors, and instructors of colour.
Andrea Sadowski is working towards her BA in Global Development Studies, with a minor in anthropology and Mennonite studies. When she's not sitting in front of her computer, Andrea enjoys climbing mountains, sleeping outside, cooking delicious plant-based food, talking to animals, and dismantling the patriarchy.
