By Steffen Klenk
The summer season is winding down, which means many kids and young adults are hitting the books again. As the new school year begins, colleges and schools throughout the country are utilizing online technology to harness the power of knowledge. The internet provides a world of information at our fingertips, with endless opportunities to learn new subjects. There are some great online programs, even if some of us would rather be taking classes in person.
There are many advantages for taking an online class. For one, it’s convenient. You don’t have to leave your home! You can often adjust each course to a time that fits your own personal schedule. Plus, it’s good for the environment. You don’t have to drive to take a class, which not only saves time and money, but also lowers the consumption of gas, oil and air pollution.
Some have found that physical online classes to be an incentive to get fit. South Jersey based Grace and Glory Yoga provides daily livestream yoga, with instruction for all skill levels. Fitness centers and instructors have gotten creative by staying connected with their loyal clients through Zoom and Instagram Live.
Have you always wanted to learn a new language? Duolingo has step-by-step instruction for over 38 different languages. Duolingo’s app and website make language learning easy by providing different lessons for each skill level.
If you want to expand your creativity, edX provides a bundle of informative and instructional courses. Topics covered include poetry, art history, world cultures, design, engineering and many more. Interested users can sign up via the edX website.
Staying connected with the community has never been more important. The Ocean City Free Public Library offers an assortment of virtual programs for the entire family. Workshops and lectures are held regularly, along with monthly book clubs, language lessons, young adult programs and more. All programs are free to attend, however you must register in advance by visiting the library’s website.
Online science classes also offer a wide range of essential topics, from chemistry and biology to physics and astronomy. These courses can stimulate your interest, build on your career and help you learn a new skill.
There are so many courses to choose from to exercise our brains into action! Keeping the mind active can lead to creative and productive ideas. As we transition to the fall and winter months and look for new activities to participate in, now might be the time to consider trying new virtual classes.
Steffen Klenk is a multimedia journalist. He resides in Ocean City and enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life.
