Free Environmental Education Resources to Learn, Grow & Inspire

Whether you want to gain a greater understanding of environmental issues or learn the latest green techniques, there are a number of online environmental education resources you can utilize for free. The green classes offered online remove financial and geographic barriers to obtaining a higher education and make it possible to take green classes whenever you have free time available. Most online environmental education programs follow the open-courseware framework and are open to anyone with a computer and internet access and cost.

The only downside to the free online environmental education programs is you won't receive an official degree or certificate for the green classes you take. Unlike traditional college classes, you won't have access to a professor either. However, these free environmental education resources provide a cost-effective way to learn more about environmental issues, discover new possible career opportunities or broaden existing experience and education.

Where to Find Free Environmental Education Resources

One of the most extensive open courseware options is offered by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) OpenCourseWare. Both undergraduate and graduate green classes are available. Environmental educational opportunities include those focused on physics, biology, science, technology, earth, atmospheric and planetary sciences. No registration is required to take any of the courses offered by MIT OpenCourseWare.

Another resource for free green classes is iTunes U. Perfect for individuals on the go, iTunes features lectures and green classes from over 800 universities that can be downloaded onto a iPod or other portable device. Beyond lectures, several universities also provide slideshows and documents for you to download to supplement your learning. To access any of the iTunes U courses you'll need to download iTunes onto your computer.

The Creative Commons ccLearn program has been instrumental in making free educational materials available to the masses. A few universities utilizing their program include, Yale and Tufts University. If you prefer watching a video over reading a textbook, be sure to check out the environmental education videos featured on the University of California Berkley YouTube and Citris UC YouTube channels. You'll find videos covering everything from environmental law related topics to utilizing renewable energy and smart grid technology.

Free textbooks, lectures and course materials are available at no charge on the Connexions website. From textbooks covering environmental sciences to materials covering corporate social responsibility, you'll find a broad range of education materials to enhance your knowledge. Parents and teachers can also take advantage of free environmental educational materials provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Environmental education lesson plans and resources are also available on Curriki.

From environmental sciences to finding energy solutions for the future, you'll find online green classes to help you expand your knowledge. Plus, online environmental education opportunities eliminate the need to drive to a college campus saving time and resources.