Back to school, and most kids are learning online. Why not you, too? Now’s the time to gain skills and new knowledge with online learning.

You know the saying, You’re never too old to learn something new. Even better, researchers recently found older adults benefit from online learning more than anyone ever thought.

Research published in the Interactive Journal of Medical Research found older adults who took online courses reduced feelings of loneliness and isolation.

And a Harvard Medical School study found learning helps older adults keep their memory strong and mental functions at a higher level.

No matter the age, learning, reading and studying benefits the person.

Here are the keys to starting and succeeding at online learning.

What you’ll need

Naturally, you’ll need a computer or tablet and internet access for online learning.

From there, you’ll want to make sure you’re comfortable when learning – whether you’re taking self-paced, mostly reading courses, live Zoom events or recorded, listen-in webinars.

You can do it with a tablet on the couch or laptop at the dining room table. But many older adults find it more conducive to learning and less stressful on their body to set up an ergonomically structured desk area. That might include a larger screen attached to a laptop or stand alone computer, mouse with a wrist wresting pad and full-size keyboard.

Also, keep paper and pen handy for notes, too.

Know your computer

First things first: Do you know how to effectively navigate your tablet or computer and the internet beyond reading these posts and sending email? If not, you might want to sharpen skills using your computer software programs and online tools such as video, search and social media.

It’ll help you search for courses that fit your needs, get the most out of them and maximize your investment in the equipment and education.

Check with your local library, community center, YMCA or community college for in-person instruction.

Beyond that, here are few courses that can help you get the most out of computer learning:

• GCF Global offers a free Internet Basics tutorial
• GCF Global also offers free Computer Basics and Computer Skills Basics tutorials
• LifeWire’s Smart and Connected Life page is full of stories and tips on managing the technology involved with your home computer
• Today at Apple offers almost daily tips on using and getting creative with your Mac, and
• Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects is a free course that can help you prepare to learn more effectively on the subjects you choose.

Choose your online courses

You can learn almost anything virtually! Even better, you can learn almost anything virtually for free. Universities, community colleges, business and hobby event organizers, artists, associations, professionals and amateurs in every walk of life offer online courses.

Try free courses first. If you get a lot of out the experience, then you’ll know if it’s worth investing in courses that might move you toward personal or professional development, a certification or even degree.

We can’t possibly cover all the available virtual learning opportunities here. But we’ll give you a comprehensive list of places to explore for courses that meet your interests, objectives and goals. Most of these sites have a network of instruction, including universities, professional event providers and learning academies.

Class Central is a search engine for online courses. It can help you figure out which courses to take from it’s library of thousands of free online courses. The site gives information on each course, ranks popularity and lets you navigate to the online sign ups for courses from top universities around the world such as Stanford, Harvard, MIT. It also lists upcoming courses.

Online courses geared toward development

• edX offers more than 2,500 free and tuition-based courses from almost 150 institutions. Subjects run the gamut from architecture to economics to social chemistry and literature. You can search courses based on subject, language, availability, educational provider, etc.
• Coursera offers on-demand video lectures from top instructors. They’re geared toward business development. But you can find plenty of free college-instructed courses on subjects such as financial markets, writing and food and health.
• MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) are classes offered through universities and corporations that provide learning. They range in length from one to 16 weeks. Many run continually. Some are offered seasonally, once a year or monthly. You can find courses across interests with possibilities ranging from just learning something to earning a master’s degree.
• Khan Academy offers the chance to go back to school (virtually, of course). You can take high school courses such as physics or you can try more advanced courses in personal finance and growth mindset.

Online courses geared toward fun

• Skillshare offers access to free and subscription-based educational videos focused on creative arts, design, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and technology. They’re mostly interactive, rather than a lecture, and the goal is complete a project or gain a new creative skill.
• Udemy offers personal development classes such as design, drawing, cooking and yoga, plus professional development such as programming – some free and others based on a subscription. One great feature is a daily update on new free courses.
• The Great Courses Plus is mainly a subscription-based educational tool with access to thousands of learning and personal enrichment courses on subjects ranging from food and wine to philosophy and religion. One advantage is many are strictly audio, so you can listen on the go.
• YouTube offers limitless content – from educational to outrageous. Look under the “learning” tab on the homepage for a library of lessons on everything from dancing to studying to history to public speaking to fishing to …

Get the most out of online courses

If you take the time for (and possibly spend the money on) online courses, you want value from them. Sure, the instructor and content will determine some of the value.

But you want to take a few steps to ensure you get the most out of your online courses. A few keys when you sit down to learn:

• Remove distractions. Turn off notifications on your phone and/or computer. Let others know you’re in “learning time,” and to avoid contacting you.
• Print worksheets or workbooks, if you prefer to read from paper and have reference.
• Join the community. Many courses offer a forum or group with other students who are also taking the course. You can get answers to questions or just talk about a shared interest with the group.
• Ask questions. If possible – mostly when taking live or scheduled courses – use the written chat feature to ask questions. Otherwise, jot down questions and email them later.
• Reward yourself. Do or have something enjoy after you sit through the first session, pass a test, complete the course … or just enjoy it!