When I was a kid, reading a book was the
surest way to get information on any subject. Television like PBS and the
History Channel were informative, but you couldn’t exactly just call up a
channel for information on a particular subject you wanted to learn about. But, as we all know, the internet has removed
many of the barriers in self education. You just need the motivation, access
and time.
Today, for instance, I needed to patch a
few holes in some drywall. Did I know the first thing about that? Nope. Usually
for anything home maintenance related, I call my dad as he knows how to fix
just about anything. But today I was feeling guilty that a grown woman was
waiting for her dad to come visit just to fix something for her. So I decided I
could do it. I know how to adult - I have all of the internet at my fingertips!
So I watched a few videos on YouTube, figured out what would work, and went to
the hardware store. I got the supplies and I patched those holes!
Now, I am not going to lie to you and say
I did a great job. I did an “ok” job. But the fact that I followed the
instructions and they worked was such a great feeling! I was a little messier
than my dad would have been, but I’ll watch videos on sanding it, then paint
it, and the wall will be fine.
In recent years, I wanted to learn a few
new skills. But with a small child, and almost no extra time or money, I
couldn’t go back to school or attend classes. So first, I took advantage of a
deal on a website called Creativebug.com. They had a special to try the site
for $.99 for three months of unlimited classes, after which a monthly fee
kicked in. Classes included subjects like art and design, quilting, sewing,
knitting, cooking, paper crafts, and more. There were thousands of classes,
taught by professionals via video, and each class was split up into several
videos so that you could watch the presentation and then pause and try the
activity yourself. I really loved this set-up and the fact that I could watch a
five minute part of a class, and then work on a new technique, like a new
knitting stitch or a watercolor technique on a random Friday at 8am (or more
likely 10pm.)
After a few months, I wanted more than
the craft classes offered and I signed up for a different service called
Skillshare. The website was very similar to Creativebug, but it offered more
technical classes. Again, there were thousands of classes to choose from taught
by professionals. The courses were under two main umbrellas called “Creative”
and “Business,” and many of them
centered around different computer programs, such as Photoshop or Illustrator.
Depending on the class, the teacher might walk you through basic pointers on a
specific program or tool, or take you all the way from a sketch to printing
your own stickers. There were classes to help you create your own website,
teach you how the stock market works, or assist you in keeping track of your
finances.
There are other websites that offer
similar subscriptions service platforms, like Blueprint and Lynda, but there
are also plenty of free options. YouTube is by far the most well known free
video platform, but it is also the wild west, where anyone, competent or not
can upload anything. Similarly, the site
wikihow.com is a place where anyone can upload images and written instructions,
not just videos. Instructables.com is sort of an in-between, where anyone can
upload videos and instructions on how to make something, but there are
“curators” who control the site and make sure videos are appropriate. Originally created in the MIT Media Lab as a
place for makers to share projects they were working on, it has opened up so
that anyone can share their passion for making homemade lasers, 3d printers, or
even cosplay outfits.
For more structured, traditional
education, there are also free opportunities out there. Khan Academy was
originally created for students, but anyone can use the site and refresh their
algebra skills (also a life saver for parents trying to help their child with
their homework!) Edx.org is an amazing website that allows you to access free
college classes from such heavyweights as Harvard, Berkeley, MIT and more. It
does not have unlimited free access, but you can pay for that if you wish.
Otherwise, there are still many classes to take for free - they are open to you
as a student for a couple of months. A unique quality of EDX is the ability to actually earn certificates
and, sometimes, college credits. (Lynda.com also offers professional
certificates, through a paid subscription fee.)
And last but certainly not least, we have
the library! Beyond books, you can access the databases listed on our website,
most of them from your own home. You can search for old Boston Globe articles,
look up entries in Britannica, or learn a language with Mango. You can get mobile apps like Hoopla, Libby or
Overdrive, to download books and other
media with your library card. Kanopy
offers independant and award winning movies, and with Flipster you can download
whole issues of magazines.
This is by no means an exhaustive list.
There are so many resources out there, you can learn just about anything. Now
you just need to find the time!
