The Best Free Training

As regular readers of this blog know, I am a big fan of LearnOutLoud.com. They introduced me to the wonderful world of audio learning as a way to use my brain while exercising, standing in line at the post office, or sitting in traffic. To date, I’ve published reviews of the following LearnOutLoud items:
[Note: The links below go to my reviews; Each review links to a LearnOutLoud item.]

• The Fundamental Principles of Personal Wealth
• Bob Griswald’s Alpha Break
• James Allen’s As a Man Thinketh
• Brian Johnson’s 50 Things I’m Going to Do Today
• Mi Ka El’s guided meditation’s Introduction to Your Mind

So here’s the news: LearnOutLoud has just published a list of it’s Top Fifty Free Resources. If you’d like to explore these, go to the URL below:
http://www.learnoutloud.com/content/blog/archives/2008/04/top_50_free_res.html

CAVEAT: I have not listened to all the items on this list. Some of them are technically not training, but information. And some will likely fall into the category of “high density audios” which you might want to use repeatedly. (For tips on using high density audios, see to my article About High Density Audios.)

LearnOutLoud.com – Your Audio & Video Learning Resource

Topic: How to use online resources to research companies
Format: Printed tutorial with with interactive links to many online business info resources
Reviewer/email: Mike G – greers_pm@yahoo.com

This free tutorial provides an introduction to search strategies for locating in-depth information about businesses using online resources. Incredibly comprehensive, it also briefly introduces, then links to, an amazing number of powerful online resources.

Read the rest of this entry »

Topic: Basic computer & internet skills
Format: Narrated slides with animations, interactive practice, assignments, links, and quizzes [free registration required]
Reviewer/email: Mike G – greers_pm@yahoo.com

So you think you know all about the internet? Then challenge yourself by taking the quizzes in this great free course… then go back and work through the lessons you need! Or, if you’re new to the internet, get a comprehensive and easy-to-understand introduction to all the ways you can put the ‘net to work for you! (Continued in Comment.)

Topic: Biology (cellular biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics)
Format: text explanations, videos, graphics, animations, interactive exercises, quizzes
Reviewer/email: Mike G – greers_pm@yahoo.com

This college-level introductory course focuses “… on topics at the forefront of experimentation in the fields of cellular biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics.” It is designed “… to provide the background students need for advanced biology classes… and it explains many of the concepts and techniques currently discussed in the popular press…” Basic biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular and cellular function are discussed in detail. (Continued in Comment.)

Topic: self help (how to achieve success)
Format: 23 minute MP3 download & 6-page PDF file
Reviewer/email: Mike G – greers_pm@yahoo.com

According to Wikipedia, Stephen Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People “…has sold over 15 million copies in 38 languages since first publication, which was marked by the release of a 15th anniversary edition in 2004.” If you’ve never studied this great classic or if you simply want a quick refresher, Brian Johnson’s PhilosphersNotes provides a great distillation of the “big ideas” in MP3 form and a supporting PDF file. (Continued in Comment.)

CNET, one of my favorite sources of free high-quality training, has announced that it will end its free online courses May 1, 2008. This is a real disappointment, since these courses have been a consistent source of well-designed and authoritative free training, particularly on computer and many other high-tech topics. In their announcement today, CNET stated they will “discontinue online classes and focus on our extensive Tips database that holds more than 1,000 expert CNET tips… All class content (class lessons, posts, course completion certificates) will be removed from our site as of Wednesday, April 30, 2008.” (Continued in Comment.)

Topic: Shooting videos, developing video stories, recording sound, and preparing for video editing
Format: video, audio, slides, printed lessons, photos, interactive activities, practice assignments, PDF guides
Reviewer/email: Mike G – greers_pm@yahoo.com

Learn to shoot video like a pro! This is another content-packed, interactive, fun, multi-media course from the BBC. You’ll learn to structure a good story, plan your shoot, select the best equipment for the job, control your camera to get the best pictures, record high quality sound, and prepare for editing. (Continued in Comment.)