by Beverly T.
Member since:
September 19, 2007

Frugal Living Schooling - Virtual University Spring 2009

April 03, 2009 06:33 PM EDT
views: 87 | comments: 17

Virtual University

Years ago, I discovered an online university that offered classes inexpensively. I had some need for certain skills, so I took some classes from them. I had a terrific experience. Since then the university has gotten better and better. I highly recommend this to all my frugal friends.

Classes are $20.00 each with no fees or hidden charges. You can take 4 classes at a time. You are assigned a student number and given a link through which you reach the courses you signed up for. There is usually no textbook to purchase. Most of the material is on their website or at least online through other websites. This is an non-credited university, so these courses don't count toward a degree, although they are considering offering certificates for clusters of courses.

Online you can visit the website, look over the course list, read the course descriptions and try something out. I took some courses several years ago with VU, and I enjoyed them. The courses were thorough, and there were plenty of people and instructors to help out when it was needed.

To view course descriptions or register for Spring, 2009 classes, visit http://vu.org/calendar.html. One course is even being offered for free. Classes begin April 27, 2009.

Below I list about 40 of the possible classes you can take through VU. This is not the entire list of courses.

Calendar of classes

1. Free course: Getting Started with OpenOffice.org 3.0

2. HTML 1: Web Page Design for Beginners
3. HTML 2: Enhance Your Website
4. Intro to Cascading Style Sheets
5. Javascript 1 for Beginners
6. Javascripts 2: Energize Your Website
7. How to Build or Repair a Desktop PC
8. Intro to Programming with Perl
9. Intro to OpenOffice.org Writer
10. Intro to OpenOffice.org Calc
11. Building An offline home page
12. How to avoid phishing and identity theft
13. Protect your PC with Avast Antivirus
14. Writing Effective Email

15. Write Right -- Essential Grammar and Style for Writers
16. Introduction to personal Journaling
17. Grammar Basics 1: Parts of Speech
18. Grammar Basics 2: Word Usage
19. Grammar Basics 3: Punctuation
20. Break the Block!
21. Writing for the World Wide Web

22. Intro to Color Theory
23. Explore New Worlds with Paint Shop Pro (Beginning)
24. Reach for the Stars with Paint Shop Pro (Intermediate)
25. Navigate Deep Space with Paint Shop Pro (Advanced)
26. Playing with Paint Shop Pro (Advanced)

27. Self-Help for Stress
28. Meditation: Awakening the Power Within
29. Egyptian Mythology 1

30 Practical and Easy Nutrition
31. Healing Herbs and Natural Remedies
32. Stepping Stones to Organic Gardening
33. Vitamin Basics: Help Yourself to Health

34. Personal Finance 101
35. How to Write a Living Will
36. Intro to Copyright Law

37. How to Study and Pass Tests
38. Criminal Psychology 1,2,3
39. Forensic Science 1, 2
40. Highlights of American History

 Enjoy!
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Comments: 17

j - Frugal Mom - r. Apr 3, 2009, 6:37pm EDT
Wow, this seem like a really cool site. Thanks Beverly, there is so much I need to learn:)
Tammy N. Apr 3, 2009, 6:40pm EDT
Very cool! $20 is less than the cost of many "self-help" books at the bookstore. This seems so much more practical! I'll have to check into a few of these!
C C. Apr 3, 2009, 6:41pm EDT
thanks that is great to know
Connie C. Apr 3, 2009, 6:43pm EDT
I will check them out
Terri V. Apr 3, 2009, 6:59pm EDT
Thank you
EDWINA (MISSIE) B. Apr 3, 2009, 7:16pm EDT
KOOL
Marilyn M. Apr 3, 2009, 7:18pm EDT
Great idea, Beverly. And for people who want credit, they could try to test out of classes at an accredited school after taking classes like this. It works...and you get college credit for passing the tests.
Jim Swan Apr 3, 2009, 7:29pm EDT
If you haven't looked at iTunes recently, you're in for a treat. Click on iTunes U and you will see a couple hundred of the world's leading universities offering all kinds of courses. About six months or so ago, Apple hired away one of the deans of a very prestigious major university to run it (Princeton, as I recall, but my memory might be flawed). Now it has become one of the most fabulous educational resources on the planet. there's more on the site than you could ever take advantage of in your entire lifetime -- and it's all free.
Jim Swan Apr 3, 2009, 7:32pm EDT
PS: Don't miss the free student music from Stanford -- fully the equal to any commercial music you've ever heard. Other universities also have student music, but the recording quality and / or performances are not always so great. Stanford's, though -- wow! Professional quality in every sense.
Nora C. Apr 3, 2009, 7:37pm EDT
I'll have to check this out.
Lee P. Apr 3, 2009, 8:04pm EDT
Wonderful information Beverly, Thanks for sharing.

Also thank you for the how to do a link information. I'm learning slowly, but I'm learning. Woo Hoo.
Beverly T. Apr 3, 2009, 9:22pm EDT
Jim, your tip is just wonderful. I'm going to check that out soon! Thanks a bunch.
Renee S. Apr 3, 2009, 9:22pm EDT
Thanks for sharing this
Adele G. Apr 3, 2009, 9:49pm EDT
Great information, thanks very much.
Alicia Loudon Apr 3, 2009, 11:46pm EDT
Thanks for sharing
Jo N. Apr 3, 2009, 11:53pm EDT
Sounds like a great place, thanks for sharing.
Debra C. Apr 12, 2009, 12:09am EDT
Its hard to beat $20 for a class.

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