Learn stuff for free through iTunes U.

In 2007, Apple jumped on the free online college course bandwagon through its iTunes application. Here you will find iTunes U, a selection of recorded videos, ebook, .pdf files and podcasts from courses offered by a variety of schools including Harvard, Stanford, and Earlham Community School District. These days, iTunes U offers “courses”, as noted by the binding on the left side of the course icon, and “collections”, that is, gatherings of lectures on a topic. For example, “Statistics 101”, taught by Harvard’s Joseph Blitzstein, was designed as a class, whereas “What Great Bosses Know” is a collection of podcasts from Poyntner Intsitute’s Jill Geisler. All are available on a desktop computer through iTunes or through the iTunes U app for iPad or iPhone. These courses are offered freely, but one cannot get college credit for them.

iTunes
http://www.apple.com/itunes/

Take science classes from MIT for free online

MIT began to offer virtually all of its course content over the web for free in 2002 through its OpenCourseWare (OCW; http://ocw.mit.edu) program. Many of the classes have been translated into eight languages, including Chinese, Spanish and Turkish. OCW has a separate program for independent learners called OCW Scholar (http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/ocw-scholar/). These courses are more complete than typical OCW offerings and feature supplemental multimedia materials. Subjects covered include biology, mathematics, and microeconomics.

MIT OpenCourseWare
http://ocw.mit.edu

Learn the rules of basketball at How Stuff Works.

Sure, I played basketball in high school P.E. I know that there is no “carrying,” that is, moving with the ball without “dribbling” or bouncing it. But the rest, I have forgotten if I ever learned it.

Not to worry. Writer Kevin Bosnor lays out the whole thing, nice and simple like, in his article “How Basketball Works.” (http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/basketball.htm/printable). Bosnor starts at the beginning: the game was thought up by Dr. James Naismith, “who invented basketball in 1891 by nailing two peach baskets to the balconies on opposite ends of a YMCA gym in Springfield, Massachusetts.” Peach basket; basketball. I get it.

Bosnor goes on to describe the players and their functions, the court layout and the rules. For example, Bosnor writes, “Different points are awarded to players based on where they are when they shoot the ball.” If a player successfully shoots from outside the three-point arc, the team gets, you guessed it, three points! (When I revealed to my co-worker that this was new information for me, he scoffed, “Why do you think they call it a ‘three pointer?”) But if it is shot from within the arc, the score is only two points.

Become comfortable with the basketball season with these insights from Kevin Bosnor!

How Basketball Works
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/basketball.htm/printable

Veteran business traveler Joe Brancatelli shares his tips on this blog

Joe Brancatelli, Condé Nast’s business travel writer, offers his tips and insights gleaned from bitter experience. One recent column compared frequent flyer miles to the Zimbabwean dollar, that is, increasingly worthless. Also, when staying overnight at the airport, choose the hotel that is closest to your departure gate.

Seat 2B
http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/blog/seat2B/

Visit IndependentTraveler.com to find holiday travel tips

Here are travel tips of all kinds for planes, trains, and automobiles from this subsidiary of TripAdvisor. In addition to offering travel deals and message boards on which to chat with other sojourners, the site features traveling advice in a section called Travel Resources (http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/) with articles like “How to Find a Clean Hotel Room” and “Top 10 Reasons to Travel by Train.” A subset of this section features a bi-weekly column called “Travelers Ed” written by veteran globetrotter Ed Hewett. Hewett discusses the implications of recent travel news and advises how to cope with it.

The Independent Traveler
http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources

Fly without fear with help from this free online tutorial

Veteran airline pilot Captain Stacey Chance knows that at least one out of every six adults has a fear of flying, otherwise known as aviophobia or aerophobia. Sufferers fear take-offs and landings. They may feel out of control or claustrophobic. They be frightened about turbulence or flying over water. They might even feel that terrorists will take over the plane.

Captain Chance wants passengers to feel safe and comfortable when they fly. That is why he developed this free online course. Take his hour-long tutorial to learn the true safety statistics of airline travel and get tips for dealing with anxiety and stress. Experience a virtual plane ride. Then board an actual aircraft and open your world.
Fear of Flying Help Course
http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com

Learn to Knit and Crochet from the Craft Yarn Council of America (CYCA)

Need to learn how to knit or crochet, or maybe just need a refresher? Visit the handy online tutorials of the Craft Yarn Council of America (CYCA). This yarn industry trade association offers both knitting and crochet lessons along with simple, quick patterns that make good gifts. Visit the “Project Ideas” section for patterns for ponchos, bandanas, and an easy “boa” scarf.

http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/learn-home.html