Which Schools Offer Free Computer Classes Online?
Learning the basics of computer science from the comfort of your armchair, without spending a penny, has never been easier. Several schools now provide online computer classes for free, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and Utah State University. These online courses tend to be geared towards fairly advanced computer users who are interested in programming, multimedia, and web development.
<h3 id="section---OverviewOfFreeOnlineComputerClasses">Overview of Free Online Computer Classes</h3>
<p>Several well-known universities offer free access to some of their computer classes to distance learners. These classes often use the same material, lectures, etc. as the as the courses taught on campus. The president of MIT calls this effort, 'a transformative initiative for MIT and for online learning worldwide. '
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<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutFreeComputerClassesOnline">Important Facts About Free Computer Classes Online</h3>
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<table border="1"><tr><td>Common Courses</td><td> Computer Science 101, Introduction to Python Programming, Learn and Apply HTML</td></tr>
<tr><td>Degrees/Certificates</td><td> No degree or course credit</td></tr>
<tr><td>Prerequisites</td><td> Open courses, no prerequisites</td></tr>
<tr><td>Online Availability</td><td> All courses available 100% online</td></tr>
<tr><td>Possible Careers</td><td> Web designer, web commerce, personal use websites</td></tr>
<tr><td>Median Salary (2021)</td><td> $93,000 (<i>for computer programmers</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> -10% decline (<i>for computer programmers</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
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<h3 id="section---MassachusettsInstituteOfTechnology">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</h3>
<p>The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a leader in offering free online computer classes. Offered through MIT's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, these courses are geared towards advanced learners who are trying to get a leg up in computer science, programming, or computer systems engineering. Students will typically find a course syllabus and lecture notes as well as sample course assignments and examinations. MIT's free online computer classes cover the following topics:
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<ul><li>Introduction to computer science and programming
</li><li>Structure and interpretation of computer programs
</li><li>Introduction to programming using python
</li><li>Computer systems analysis
</li></ul><h3 id="section---StanfordUniversity">Stanford University</h3>
<p>Stanford Engineering Everywhere (SEE) allows students all over the globe to enjoy Stanford University's online computer science classes. SEE's free courses offer a wealth of information, including streaming video lectures, downloadable course handouts, assignments, examinations, and even links to software that students will need for some of the classes. Students might also connect with others who are taking the same classes through SEE's social networking platform. Some of the most popular computer classes offered by SEE are:
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<ul><li>Introduction to computer science
</li><li>Programming methodology
</li><li>Programming abstractions
</li><li>Programming paradigms
</li></ul><h3 id="section---UtahStateUniversity">Utah State University</h3>
<p>Utah State University's Department of Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences offers several free computer classes. They may be less technical than the programs offered by Stanford and MIT, and instead focus on areas such as podcasting, social networking, and multimedia basics. Most classes may include a syllabus, lecture notes, course assignments, and examinations. Online computer classes at Utah State University include:
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<ul><li>Interactive multimedia production
</li><li>Learn and apply HTML
</li><li>Blogs, wikis, new media for learning
</li><li>Understanding online interaction</li></ul>