The internet has revolutionised society, giving people easy access to a vast array of information at the touch of a button.
From an educational perspective the world wide web is a magnificent tool, opening up a wealth of possibilities for children and adults alike.
However, it is fair to say that caution must always be applied when using the internet, particularly when it comes to the accuracy of the information being accessed.
Despite this, if used correctly the internet can undoubtedly be a valuable support mechanism for people aiming to broaden their knowledge.
Read on as we look at some of the best online learning resources in 2020.
Skillshare
Skillshare is an online learning community that specialises in helping people to unlock their creative potential in areas such as design, photography, technology, technology, writing and film.
More than three million people have joined the Skillshare community, making it the ideal place to find people who excel in their chosen field.
The learning process tends to be practical rather than academic, with classes based around project work with feedback given at the end.
This practical approach works well in creative subjects, allowing people to develop their own style rather than sticking rigidly to a set format.
Skillshare is also suitable for businesses, with intuitive reporting tools allowing organisations to check the progress of their team members.
Whether you're aiming to enhance your existing skillset or embark on a new career, Skillshare is a great place to arm yourself with the tools that you'll need to be successful.
Environmental Protection Agency
Run by the United States government, the Environmental Protection Agency website provides a comprehensive range of learning resources about the environment.
The children's section on the site contains useful videos, games and quizzes, all of which help to support homework projects across different age groups.
Environmental issues covered include climate change, pollution, migration, health and energy, with each presented in language that kids can understand.
The free-to-access site also supports educators, providing them with plenty of resources they can use to support their teaching.
There is also information about awards, grants, publications and professional development, giving invaluable assistance to people in the teaching profession.
With environmental matters at the forefront of many conversations in 2020, the EPA website is well worth bookmarking as an educational tool.
Online College Plan
Searching for free degree programs online can be a bit of a minefield, with loads of different providers clamouring to get you to sign-up for their courses.
The excellent Online College Plan website has taken the hassle out of the process, bringing together information about where to find the best courses.
Their research team and writing staff includes educators, parents and students, all of whom possess in-depth knowledge about online learning programmes.
The site features a plethora of useful resources including guides to online colleges, information about undergraduate and postgraduate study, online business degrees and more.
Online College Plan also contains a handy search function, allowing users to drill down into the different degrees, categories and subjects on offer.
For anyone looking to secure a degree qualification without breaking the bank, the Online College Plan website is your number one resource.
TED-Ed
TED has become synonymous with free online learning, with their 'ideas worth spreading' ethos now famous across the world.
That mantra has powered the growth of TED over the past few years, spawning conferences, books, translation projects and more.
To support these activities, Ted-Ed was launched in 2012 to assist teachers and encourage learners to broaden their knowledge base.
The site contains a growing library of original animated videos and provides an international platform for teachers to create their own interactive lessons.
It also helps curious students around the globe take the TED ethos into their schools and gain presentation literacy skills.
The award-winning site now serves millions of teachers and students around the world every week, making it one of the most popular learning resources around.
HowStuffWorks
HowStuffWorks was established back in 1998 and has grown into a reliable source of information about how the world around us actually works.
Millions of people visit the site each month to check out written articles, podcasts and videos, all of which are designed to broaden your knowledge of the world.
Their audio podcasts total more than 35 million downloads a month, while HowStuffWorks videos are amongst the most-watched on YouTube.
Backed up by a huge social network community, the award-winning HowStuffWorks is a superb place to find out information about any subject.
The unbiased content is always well produced and is generally supported by the latest research from the world of academia.
Although HowStuffWorks is funded by advertisements and sponsored posts, the majority of these actually have educational value to ensure that wherever you click on the site provides you with useful information.