Lifelong learning involves continuous growth and acquisition of new knowledge and skills. It’s for individuals who are eager to improve themselves and the world.
This article explores a treasure trove of educational websites tailored for lifelong learners. Whether you want to broaden your knowledge, pursue new interests, or advance your career, these websites will open up a world of learning possibilities for you.
They also cover a wide range of topics, from art to science and everything in between. Let’s dive in!
Top 20 Educational Websites For Lifelong Learners
Educational websites can range from free course sites, guides, and tutorials to subscription-based content or a collection of notes and documents.
Regardless of your learning style (kinesthetic, auditory, or visual), one of these 20 informative websites will appeal to you —
1. Coursera
- Founded: 2012 by Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: Students who want to learn from top universities and industry leaders.
- Cost: It varies according to the institution offering the course and whether you want to earn a certificate or degree. Professional Certificate program costs range from $39–$99 USD per month. MasterTrack Certificate program costs typically range from $2,000–$5,000 USD.
Coursera offers numerous courses on diverse subjects that culminate into certificates or degrees, making it an excellent choice for anyone seeking to advance their knowledge and skills.
It gathers its learning resources from top universities and institutions in the world, helping students develop new skills, advance their careers, and explore interests.
You can learn about almost any topic on this platform, ranging from the basics to advanced levels in computer science, health, the humanities, and business, among others.
Furthermore, you have access to high-quality lectures, videos, and books. You are free to learn at your own pace with negotiable deadlines and personalized feedback.
To ensure you’re actively learning, Coursera provides students with quizzes, peer reviews, assignments, and discussion forums.
Some of the programs offered by top universities and industry leaders that have credit values include:
- Master of Computer Science in Data Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
- Master of Science in Accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
- Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.
2. Skillshare
- Founded: 2010 by Michael Karnjanaprakorn.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: Creatives who want to learn new skills and techniques.
- Cost: Offers a 14-day free trial. Subsequently, membership pricing starts at $32 USD monthly or $168 USD annually ($13.99 per month).
You will enjoy Skillshare if you’re more of a creative learner. It is a learning platform with over a thousand classes on various topics such as illustration, photography, video, freelancing, and design.
Furthermore, you could even find Youtube channels where your favorite content creators share their success secrets. You can also create your own projects from these classes and share with other learners.
It allows you to connect and learn from experts and peers while showcasing your creativity. You can watch video lessons, practice your skills with exercises, and receive constructive feedback from instructors and classmates.
Additionally, you can improve your learning experience by participating in workshops and live lessons as well as engaging in fun challenges with both learners and teachers.
3. Khan Academy
- Founded: 2008 by Sal Khan.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: Students of all ages who want to learn at their own pace.
- Cost: Free of cost.
For simplified learning of challenging topics, Khan Academy is an excellent choice. You can learn a variety of subjects, including Mathematics, Science, History, and Grammar using Khan Academy’s beginner-friendly resources.
This platform comprises videos, articles, and exercises for every type of learner. It also allows you to evaluate yourselves using quizzes, unit tests, and challenges.
Khan Academy is one of the few online learning platforms that truly support personalized learning. Teachers are offered tools to customize instructions and monitor student performance.
You decide how fast you want to learn and address any knowledge gaps. Moreover, you can track your goals and achievements with regular reports and dashboard updates.
4. edX
- Founded: 2012 by Harvard University and MIT.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: Students who want to learn from top universities and industry leaders.
- Cost: Most edX courses are available to audit for free; however, certificates require a fee. It offers individual courses, Professional Certificate Programs, Professional Education, MicroMasters, and XSeries at varying costs.
edX offers students a more accessible option to advanced courses and programs.
You can choose from a variety of disciplines and interact freely with the world’s best instructors.. Whether you want to pursue a degree, a certificate, or develop new skills, edX provides the best-curated resources for it.
Among edX’s vast collection of learner’s resources, you can access engaging video lectures, peer-to-peer discussions, exercises, and quizzes. The platform also offers subtitles, transcripts of videos, progress tracking, and rewards, for an enhanced study experience for all learner types.
Unlike regular unit tests and exams, edX presents challenges that encourage students to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios.
The following include some of the programs offered by edX that have credit values:
- Master of Science in Supply Chain Management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Master of Science in Analytics from Georgia Institute of Technology.
- Master of Science in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Austin.
5. Sparknotes
- Founded: 1999 by Harvard students—Sam Yagan, Max Krohn, Chris Coyne, and Eli Bolotin.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: Students who want to learn Literature, History, and Science.
- Cost: Offers a 7-day free trial. Thereafter, membership pricing starts at $4.99 per month or $24.99 per year.
For students who enjoy reading and research, Sparknotes is a must-have resource. It provides users with study guides for a number of subjects, including poetry, history, philosophy, literature, and film.
Primarily, Sparknotes is used for literature and art; however, it also offers resources for other subjects such as Math, Science, Psychology, and Sociology.
It helps to deepen your understanding by assisting you with homework, essays, and exams if you’re enrolled in courses elsewhere.
With the platform’s ‘No Fear Literature,’ you can access the original text of classical works with their modern translations to make studying enjoyable and easier.
It also engages you with quizzes, flashcards, essay topics, and sample essays to evaluate and develop your skills.
6. Course Hero
- Founded: 2006 by Andrew Grauer.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: Students who want to access study materials and get help from online tutors.
- Cost: Offers a Basic (free) Membership as well as a paid Premier Membership. Premier membership costs range from $9.95–$59.85 USD.
To enhance your understanding of any subject, Course Hero has numerous study resources for students of every level. It provides tutoring and courses for beginners, and study materials for ongoing learners.
The courses and programs cover different subjects with adjustable levels of difficulty for all students.
You can also access millions of notes, test prep materials, and documents on almost any topic. You can even find solutions and explanations to questions in your textbook or previous exams from experts and peers. As free resources, you can also browse college textbooks or find other high quality education textbooks.
The interactivity of Course Hero is its most distinctive feature. It allows you to upload your own documents; get personalized help from tutors worldwide; and earn rewards from it, unlocking premium content.
7. MIT OpenCourseWare
- Founded: 2001 by MIT.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: Prospective learners interested in utilizing MIT’s course materials.
- Cost: Free of cost.
MIT OpenCourseWare is the ultimate online learning platform to share knowledge with educators and learners globally. It provides materials from over 2,500 MIT free courses which are easily accessible anytime.
You can find resources about degree, certificate, or topic of interest from notes, exams, lectures, and videos. It also encompasses challenges, tests, and exams to strengthen your knowledge; transcripts; progress tracking; and subtitles to assist your learning.
The platform allows you to learn from the best instructors from leading institutions seamlessly.
8. Codecademy
- Founded: 2011 by Zach Sims and Ryan Bubinski.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: Students with a particular focus on acquiring coding and programming skills.
- Cost: Professional Certificate and MasterTrack Certificate programs cost $39–$99 USD per month and $2,000–$5,000 USD, respectively.
Have a knack for coding? Codecademy teaches you how to code in various programming languages using different technologies.
Whether you want to start a career in coding, advance in your current one, or explore a new hobby, this platform has study materials for learners of every skill level.
You can access their collection of interactive lessons, quizzes, projects, and other resources to expand your learning. Its hands-on learning environment allows you to write code and receive feedback within seconds.
Your study progress is tracked on your dashboard, with regular reports and achievements to motivate you.
Codecademy also offers tools for teachers to customize instruction and monitor student performance.
9. Crash Course
- Founded: 2011 by Hank and John Green.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: Students who want to learn about several subjects in a fun and engaging way.
- Cost: Free of cost.
The Crash Course channel on YouTube has had a significant impact on online education for many years, despite not being an independent website. It is a better altenative to Google’s Youtube education channel; which is not as organized as Crash Course.
The channel actively produces engaging videos weekly on various subjects, such as literature, history, science, and philosophy, with witty hosts and animations. It makes learning free and fun for everyone, and has over 45 complete courses in their library.
Whether you need help with homework, exams, or enlightenment on a challenging topic, you can watch their short videos, which simplify difficult concepts.
Crash Course also offers resources for educators to use in their classrooms.
10. Udemy
- Founded: 2010 by Eren Bali, Oktay Caglar, and Gagan Biyani.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: Students who want to learn new skills and advance their careers.
- Cost: Depends on whether you want to earn a certificate or degree, and the institution offering the course. Subscription ranges from $9.99–$199.99 USD.
With 213,000+ courses and 62 million eager students, Udemy is the most bustling online learning hub. It contains information and study resources for many subjects including programming, marketing, and data science.
Udemy has a course with personalized resources for every type of learner—whether you’re starting a new career, leveling up in your current one, or exploring your interests
Here, you learn directly from the experts and fellow users. You can watch video lessons, practice hands-on exercises, and get feedback from instructors and classmates.
You can also join live sessions, workshops, and exciting challenges to engage with others in real time.
This platform offers tools to help businesses and organizations drive innovation and develop the skills of their workforce.
11. LinkedIn Learning
- Founded: 2015 by LinkedIn.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: Students who want to learn from industry experts and professionals.
- Cost: It depends on whether you want to earn a certificate or degree and the institution offering the course. A monthly subscription costs $39.99, while an annual plan costs $323.88.
LinkedIn Learning is an excellent option to access the valuable studying resources for courses related to business, health, computer science, and the humanities.
It works with leading universities and organizations to bring learners thousands of courses in various fields and levels of difficulty. The instructors are highly qualified and engage students through individualized feedback.
Moreover, with flexible deadlines and personalized quizzes and assignments for your skill level, you have complete control over the pace of your studies.
To enhance your learning experience, LinkedIn Learning also offers users access to peer reviews and discussion forums to connect students globally.
12. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)
- Founded: 2008
- Course type: Online, open access, and typically self-paced
- Platform type: Various platforms, including Coursera, edX, Udacity, and FutureLearn
- Best for: Learners who want to acquire new skills or knowledge at their own pace, without the cost or commitment of traditional education
- Cost: Free or very low cost (some courses may have optional paid certificates)
MOOCs are a relatively new form of education that has become increasingly popular in recent years. They offer a wide variety of courses on a variety of topics, from computer science and business to art and history. MOOCs are typically free or very low cost, and they are accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
One of the biggest benefits of MOOCs is their flexibility. Learners can take courses at their own pace, on their own schedule. This makes MOOCs a great option for busy professionals, stay-at-home parents, and anyone else who wants to learn new things without having to make a major commitment.
Another benefit of MOOCs is their affordability. Most MOOCs are free or very low cost, making them a much more affordable option than traditional education. This makes MOOCs a great option for people who are on a tight budget.
Overall, MOOCs are a great way to learn new skills and knowledge at your own pace and without breaking the bank. If you’re looking for a flexible and affordable way to learn, MOOCs are a great option.
12. FutureLearn
- Founded: 2012 by The Open University.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: Students who want to learn from top universities and industry leaders.
- Cost: Longer programs can cost between$39 a month and approximately $1000 for a certificate.
FutureLearn is a great choice for high-quality educational video lectures. It partners with top universities and institutions to offer full-length courses in various subjects.
In addition, it includes interactive exercises and peer discussions to improve students’ collaboration. It offers other features, such as transcripts, subtitles, and progress tracking, to enhance the learning experience.
This platform allows learners to interact with the best instructors and inquire about their queries, ask for feedback, or seek advice.
13. Stanford Online
- Founded: 2012 by Stanford University.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: Students who want to learn using Stanford’s course materials.
- Cost: Free of cost.
Stanford Online provides learners with a cheaper alternative to Stanford’s vast array of learning tools.
You can learn from instructors and industry experts as well as choose from a variety of free online courses, credit-bearing programs, and degrees at Stanford Online.
It provides you with high-quality learning materials from over 2,500 courses by working alongside MIT OpenCourseWare and edX, which partner with Stanford University.
This platform also allows users access to business tools for skill development and innovation.
14. Udacity
- Founded: 2011 by Zach Sims and Ryan Bubinski.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: Students who want to learn computer programming skills.
- Cost: Professional Certificate program costs range from $39–$99 USD per month. MasterTrack Certificate program costs typically range from $2,000–$5,000 USD.
The go-to platform for learning how to code is Udacity. Here, you get to learn through engaging quizzes, lessons, and projects.
Whether you’re aiming to advance your career, build a new one, or just simply pick up a new hobby, Udacity offers courses that match your skill level.
As you study, you actively learn through feedback and recommendations on how to improve. It’s a hands-on learning environment that allows you to write codes swiftly.
You can track your progress and accomplishments on your dashboard alongside regular reports. Udacity has tools that enable you as a teacher to tailor your lessons and monitor your students’ performance.
Moreover, Udacity has partnered up with the world’s leading tech companies to create Nanodegree programs. These programs equip you with highly demanded skills and qualifications in the tech industry.
Some of the programs offered by Udacity that have credit values include:
- Master of Science in Computer Science from Georgia Institute of Technology.
- Master of Science in Data Science from Georgia Institute of Technology.
- Master of Science in Cybersecurity from Georgia Institute of Technology.
15. Alison
- Founded: 2007 by Mike Feerick.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: Students who want to learn new skills and advance their careers.
- Cost: Alison offers a range of courses that are completely free to audit. Premium Monthly is an optional, affordable monthly subscription that unlocks additional features and benefits. Premium subscription costs €7.99 per month or €79.00 per year.
Alison comprises free online courses spanning a vast array of subjects. You can find several courses in areas such as business, health, language, engineering, and teaching. It also gives you the option to create your own projects and share them with learners to exchange knowledge, advice, and feedback.
On this platform, you can connect with experts and enthusiasts who love to share their wisdom and passion. You can also enroll in courses of choice and earn certificates or diplomas when you complete them.
Leave comments, give ratings, and share your ideas with other users to foster interaction.. As a teacher, Alison provides valuable resources for your lessons.
16. OpenLearn
- Founded: 2006 by The Open University.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: Students who want to learn from free, open educational resources.
- Cost: Free and open to the public.
With OpenLearn, you have free access to over 1,000 courses spanning various subjects including art history and science.
Whether you’re aiming to develop your study skills, boost your career, or simply explore your passions, OpenLearn is tailor-made for adult education.
The best part? You can learn at your own pace, without worrying about deadlines or hidden fees. As you progress, you can even collect digital badges and statements to show off your achievements.
OpenLearn connects educators with useful resources for their classrooms. Additionally, you can join edX, a fantastic global online learning platform that teams up with The Open University and other top institutions.
17. Harvard Online
- Founded: 2012 by Harvard University.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: Students who want to learn from Harvard’s course materials.
- Cost: Includes free and paid courses.
Harvard Online is your passport to a world of learning right from the comfort of your home.
This platform grants you access to take courses and programs from Harvard University on topics of interest.
Harvard Online caters to individuals of all skill levels, whether your objective is to earn a certificate, degree, or satiate your curiosity.
Here, you can browse from a vast collection of engaging video lessons, interactive activities, chats with fellow learners, and more. Moreover, you can put your newfound knowledge to the test in real-life situations.
Harvard Online even offers handy features, such as transcripts, subtitles, progress tracking, and certificates, to make your learning experience seamless.
18. Saylor Academy
- Founded: 2008 by Michael Saylor.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: Students who want to learn from free, open educational resources.
- Cost: Free and open to the public.
Saylor Academy is a nonprofit online learning platform that shares knowledge to anyone who desires it.
For instance, you get to pick from nearly 100 full-length courses crafted by experts that match college and professional standards. In addition, you can earn credits for a degree or supercharge your career with Saylor Academy.
You can pace yourself, close knowledge gaps, and monitor your progress. There are dashboards and reports to help you keep a record of your goals and accomplishments.
This platform also collaborates with leading universities and organizations to offer courses that are transferable and valuable to your academic journey.
12. FutureLearn
- Founded: 2012 by The Open University.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: College students who want to learn from top universities and industry leaders.
- Cost: Longer programs can cost between$39 a month and approximately $1000 for a certificate.
FutureLearn is a great choice for high-quality educational video lectures. It partners with top universities and institutions to offer full-length courses in various subjects.
In addition, it includes interactive exercises and peer discussions to improve students’ collaboration. It offers other features, such as transcripts, subtitles, and progress tracking, to enhance the learning experience.
This platform allows learners to interact with the best instructors and inquire about their queries, ask for feedback, or seek advice.
20. Guides.co
- Founded: 2011 by Scott Annan.
- Course type: Academic and Professional.
- Platform type: Website and mobile app.
- Best for: Students who want to learn about multiple topics, including business, marketing, and technology.
- Cost: Free of cost.
Guides.co offers interactive guides to learners on any subject.
Its easy-to-use editor and online tools features allow you to create, share, and browse thousands of step-by-step guides on different topics, including business, travel, and health.
This way, you can connect with experts and enthusiasts of the same interest to exchange knowledge.
Furthermore, you can follow guides that pique your interest and get updates on them while also receiving comments, ratings, and feedback on your own guides.
How to Choose a Suitable Platform or Course for Online Learning
To select the appropriate platform or course for your online learning is often difficult; therefore, you need to consider the following factors:
Ease of Use (Accessibility and User interface)
Design teams should define specific metrics per project and aim to optimize ease of use while offering maximum functionality and respecting business limitations.
For example, “Users must be able to tap Find within three seconds of accessing the interface.”
Affordability
Your learning experience, whether online or offline, is a lifetime investment that requires careful financial planning. Many platforms offer classes at varying prices, some with discounts.
Some of the best learning sites with reasonable prices include Coursera, Skillshare, Udemy, and Edx.
Customization Options
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to learning; therefore, customization options are critical. These allow you to tailor your learning experience according to your needs.
For instance, some platforms allow you to control the pace of your learning, while others may offer personalized feedback and advice on your progress.
Support
Even in online learning platforms, you cannot be completely on your own. Support is crucial because of unforeseen circumstances that you may not have the facilities to fix. Thus, you’ll need a platform that offers 24/7 support to study stress-free.
Credibility of the Course
Seek out courses offered by colleges or other recognized establishments. This is crucial because it guarantees that you are learning from a reliable source.
Conclusion: Best Website for Continuous Learning in 2024
The digital world, including educational websites and apps, has opened up a universe of possibilities for higher education, personal growth and knowledge acquisition of lifelong learners.
These online platforms empower you to learn at your pace, on your terms, and about subjects that are of interest. Maximize it!
