/improve/ - Self Improvement

>>3935

Commentary on links that get posted is encouraged too. If you think a link should get more attention, say so. If you've had a bad experience with a site before, let everyone know so we can avoid either avoid your mistakes, or if necessary, avoid the site as a whole.

>>3935

>>3936

I'll start with a few of the links from noexcuselist:

KhanAcademy

>khanacademy.org

I've had some great experiences with this site; it covers a pretty wide range of subjects, although the focus is clearly on math/science. Their math modules are decently intuitive and do a pretty good job of walking you through the concepts. The videos don't always cover all the subtleties you wish they would, but there's community discussion that can (at least potentially) cover any gaps.

>Pros:

>Wide range of topics, particularly math/science

>Illustrated videos serve as lessons; do a decent job of walking through the concepts

>Modules allow for practice of relevant skills with randomly-generated problems

>Sal Khan's voice is surprisingly soothing

>Community discussion

>Khans:

>Pretty lacking in a lot of subjects that aren't math or science

>Some videos don't do as good a job as they could explaining themselves

>Site is popular among junior high/high school students, which means the community has an inordinate number of children/teens

>>3935

I've been using duolingo to learn taco for a while now, its ok but like most of these language learning sites, you're never gonna fully grasp the language unless you immerse yourself and speak it every day with other people.

I'd recommend duolingo as a supplement to something else, because doing just duolingo alone wont cut it.

Heres all the courses they offer https://www.duolingo.com/courses/en

edx

Really cool place with collegiate courses online. Supported by some of the biggest names in higher education, (MIT/Harvard made the damn thing) and is IMO the most altruistic of all MOOC providers.

>Pros

>Extremely varied topics from sciences to the arts

>Structured curriculums and self contained classes, no need to go around the net

>Access to some of the best Academia has to offer

>Allows you to audit stuff you've never would've thought to try out otherwise.

>Cons

>Varying levels of entry difficulty although classes seem to require some sort of previous knowledge in the basics

>varying levels of polish in courses

>discussion forum can be a hit or miss

>>3937

>Khans:

I smiled. KA is pretty cool overall though along with a good book.

>>3947

Try out hispachan if you want some imageboard immersion in a Spanish imageboard.

>>3935

MIT Open Courses

>http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm

>Pros

>World-class educational resources on virtually every topic, calculus, physics, business, etc.

>MIT-level learning is available without $60,000+ tuition and 4.0+ GPA.

>Helped me learn calculus and physics concepts that weren't included in my IT degree.

>Cons

>Autodidact ism takes great focus and discipline, without the pressure of being graded on work it is easy to lose good study habits.

>No actual college credit for courses completed.

>No tutors or guidance from professors, office hours, etc. being able to consult experts in person helps immensely when you are stuck on a difficult problem.

>Effort in studying is not enough, you have to learn to effectively study and remember things, a good way to do so is to paraphrase concepts back to yourself after taking notes or listening to a lecture, and have a study buddy to quiz you on things. 2 hours of effective studying is worth a whole day of ineffective and mentally draining studying.