Free online resource portal

ALISON is the world's leading free online learning resource for basic and essential workplace skills. ALISON provides high-quality, engaging, interactive multimedia courseware for certification and standards-based learning. All courses on ALISON are accessible for free to individual learners.

http://www.alison.com/

Do you have trouble using a computer? BBC raw will help you to learn the basics. Learn how to make the most of the internet with Webwise.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/

Specialise in helping people over 50 use IT - from internet & email to social networking & blogs. Work with everyone from learners and trainers to public businesses and private enterprises. Can help you learn new digital skills; set-up (award winning) training schemes for your community; teach and engage older users; and take part in the digital debate.

http://www.digitalunite.com/

http://www.getsafeonline.org./

The great thing about learning with learndirect is that the courses are so flexible. You can do many of our courses at your local centre or from home or work if you have access to the Internet. Courses are broken down into bite-sized chunks, so you can learn at your own pace whenever and wherever it suits you.

Note: Learning is only free to certain people - see the site for details.

http://www.learndirect.co.uk/

myguide is a website designed to help people take their first steps with computers and the internet. Registered users get access to an easy-to-use email system and a wide range of online courses that cover everything from turning a computer on to surfing the internet. All you need to do is register to start using the site.

http://www.myguide.gov.uk/

Online basics is a free, easy to use course that will help you get started using computers and the internet. Online basics includes five short modules. They show you how to use a mouse and keyboard, how to email, and how to search for information and stay safe online. With Online basics you can learn and practise your new skills and start enjoying all the fantastic things the internet has to offer. You should register now, or find a local centre where staff can help you get started.

The OpenLearn website gives free access to Open University course materials. This is the LearningSpace, where you'll find hundreds of free study units, each with a discussion forum. Study independently at your own pace or join a group and use the free learning tools to work with others.

http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/

The Third Age Trust is the national representative body for the Universities of Third Age (U3As) in the UK. U3As are self-help, self-managed lifelong learning co-operatives for older people no longer in full time work, providing opportunities for their members to share learning experiences in a wide range of interest groups and to pursue learning not for qualifications, but for fun.

University of the People (UoPeople) is the world’s first tuition-free, online academic institution dedicated to the global advancement and democratization of higher education. The high-quality, low-cost and global educational model embraces the worldwide presence of the Internet and dropping technology costs to bring university level studies within reach of millions of people across the world.

http://www.uopeople.org/

The vision2learn e–learning service offers FREE* online courses leading to UK–recognised qualifications, which you can study from home or work. * courses are normally free of charge to anyone over the age of 16 who has been ordinarily resident in the European Union for 3 years or more, as long as this residency has been for purposes other than full–time study.

http://www.vision2learn.com/