Bored During Quarantine? Check Out These Online Courses

We’re already in Week 5 of self-isolation here in Canada and while there’s still plenty of great TV to binge-watch, books to read, and non-screen-related activities to do, chances are we’re going to need more and more new creative outlets as time goes by. Given all the hours we’re clocking at home these days, it might just be the perfect moment to invest some time in learning a new skill or taking a class on a topic we’ve always been fascinated by. Whether that’s contemporary art, philosophy, coding, Russian literature or illustration, there’s an online course out there sure to fit the bill. Read on for a handy roundup of digital platforms offering online courses guaranteed to keep you engaged during quarantine.

Museum of Modern Art

MoMA’s doors might be closed but the New York museum is finding a way to continue engaging with art lovers by offering a series of free online courses on art, design and photography. Available via Coursera, courses include What is Contemporary Art, Seeing Through Photographs, and Fashion As Design. The latter course is taught by Paola Antonelli, a senior curator at the museum, and “focuses on a selection of more than 70 garments and accessories from around the world, ranging from kente cloth to jeans to 3D-printed dresses. Through these garments, we’re going to look closely at what we wear, why we wear it, how it’s made, and what it means.” Check out the nine courses offered by MoMA curators and experts here.

Masterclass

The roster of experts and instructors on this platform is seriously impressive: Anna Wintour, Margaret Atwood, David Lynch, Natalie Portman, Bobbi Brown, Marc Jacobs. In his first online fashion design class, Jacobs teaches “his hands-on process for creating clothes that push boundaries and set trends,” while legendary Vogue editor Anna Wintour teaches creativity and leadership, touching on things like how to execute a vision, evolve a brand, and lead with impact. Each Masterclass consists of approximately 20 lessons, each averaging 10 minutes in duration. While an annual pass with unlimited access to all classes costs CAD 240, Masterclass is currently offering a ‘buy one, get one free’ offer so you can split the cost with a friend. Check out the complete list of offerings here.

Skillshare

Focused on creative exploration, Skillshare offers classes on topics like illustration, design, photography and creative writing. Specific courses include How to Make a Podcast, Personal Branding: Crafting Your Social Media Presence, Fundamentals of Photo Editing, The Art of Ceramics and Calligraphy Essentials. Browse the thousands of free classes offered by Skillshare here.

edX

For classes offered by some of the best universities around the world—such as Harvard, McGill, Kyoto University and Oxford—head to edX. Subjects range from architecture and literature to history, music and economics. While these classes are free, those wishing to obtain a verified certificate after completing a course can receive one for a small fee. Browse the list of courses here.

Coursera

Aside from the MoMA-led classes listed above, Coursera offers thousands of other options. Popular free courses include The Science of Well-Being from Yale University, Buddhism and Modern Psychology from Princeton University, and even Wine Tasting: Sensory Techniques for Wine Analysis from UC Davis. It’s also possible to obtain a degree entirely online, such as a Master’s degree in Public Health, Data Science or Business Administration. Explore the offerings here.

The Great Courses Plus

Classes offered by this online platform are as varied as A History of England from the Tudors to the Stuarts, Pirates: Fact and Fiction, Chamber Music of Mozart and The Art of Debate. In addition, The Great Courses Plus has partnered with renowned organizations such as National Geographic, History, Smithsonian, and the Culinary Institute of America for exclusive content and has even got a stamp of approval from Bill Gates. The platform offers free trials but requires users to sign up for membership in order to access audio and video lectures compatible with Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Roku as well as Android and iOS apps. Browse the list of courses here.

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