Knowledge is a process of piling up facts; wisdom lies in their simplification. – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Online education isn’t a new concept. Hundreds of universities and colleges now offer distance learning programs for bachelor, master and doctoral programs. But like traditional classroom education, online courses can be can be time consuming and costly. But now, there are alternatives and many of them are free. The internet is full of no fee online courses offering instructing in everything from metaphysics to finance.

Free internet classes fall into three primary categories: site specifc, e-mail instruction a nd classroom portals. Site specific education offers access to training modules, which are posted on individual websites. Students may be required to create a login and password. Training modules, which are listed on the site don’t require or offer any interaction and are completely self directed. Another option is e-mail instruction, which can take one of two forms. Some programs e-mail lectures to students on a pre-defined schedule, usually once a week. Students read and apply the material at their own pace. About.com University, html//u.about.com, offers a full range of email classes; such as the intensive 10 week course entitled, Start A Desktop Publishing Business. Other programs, like those offered through Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness (MSIA), form “pods� of six to eight students and require them to use email to correspond with the instructor and classmates about course lectures and assignment. Barnes and Noble University, www.university.barnesandnoble.com, uses another popular method of delivering online courses. Registered students login onto an online classroom portal. Students can logon at any time to review the class syllabus, lectures, course resources, take quizzes, chat with the instructor or respond to weekly class assignments.

As with anything on the internet, prospective students should exercise caution before enrolling. Some free courses are developed by trained educators who use the site as enticement for fee based programs. However, some free courses are facilitated by instructors who have developed an interest in the subject matter, but don’t have field related credentials. Barnes & Nobles has a disclaimer posted for every class warning students that course material is not a product of the company and they are not responsible for any claims made by the instructors. However, many sites, Barnes & Noble included, require potential instructors to submit resumes and review their course material intensively before accepting their program. Instructors are monitored and risk removal if their material is poor or receive repeated complaints.

Free sites to check out:

Bible Study www.bible-study-free.org
This site offers free Bible Study for beginners to advanced levels for adults and teenagers. Lectures are available either through webcast or email text.

Free Education on the Internet www.free-ed.net
Free Education on the Internet offers variety of complete study programs including vocational studies, homeschooling, college prep, entrepreneurship and more.

Hipknitism www.hipknitism.com
Students with basic knitting skills can add to their repertoire by learning Toe-up construction for socks, spiral techniques for hat and more.

Babel Naton www.babelnation.com
This site provides online interactive Spanish classes for beginners and intermediate learners. Students can access lesson pages, vocabulary words, module exercises, even watch video with live dialogue.

English as a Second Language www.eslgo.com
English as a Secong Language (ESL) SL offers 45 free online ESL classes. Beginners to advance learners can also use the site to practice what they’ve learned or access the content directed areas to learn English for business, travel, writing or other specific needs.

Storymind www.storymind.com
Aspiring authors can watch streaming video of seven one hour lectures about the craft of writing.