How to Learn Online

Free to audit
Paid certificate
Beginner
1 week

Provider: edX
Course code: edx201
Cost: Free to audit
Certificate: Paid, $29
Level: Beginner
Duration: 1 week
Effort: 4–6 hrs/week
Format: Self-paced
Language: English
Subjects: Psychology, Courses for Seniors
Source: edX
Last verified: 20 Oct 2026

Free access to the material ends after the course length; graded work and the certificate are paid.

How to Learn Online is edX's own short course on being an effective online learner, and the techniques apply on any platform. It covers the history and benefits of learning online and how to draw on your past education; the technology fundamentals, including learning management systems, the features of the edX platform, accessibility features and using AI tools to support study; metacognition, or paying attention to how you learn; study strategies organised around awareness, balance, community and dedication; using peer interaction and community resources; and time management, including the Pomodoro method and working with your own chronotype. No prerequisites are listed.

edX marks it as introductory level and self-paced, at one week of four to six hours. The audit track is free with access that expires after the estimated course length and no graded assignments or certificate; the verified certificate is priced at 29 US dollars.

What you’ll learn

Choose study strategies that suit online learning
Use a learning management system and its accessibility features confidently
Manage study time with techniques such as the Pomodoro method
Draw on discussion forums and peer community while learning online

Who it’s for

Anyone about to take their first online course, or returning to study after a long break.

Course details

Skills covered: Metacognition
Lifelong Learning
Time Management
Research
Learning Design
Artificial Intelligence
Learning Management Systems
Learning Platforms
Digital Literacy
Prerequisites: None
Subtitles: 1 language

On edx.org

Rated 4.2 out of 5 by 116 learners; 462,728 enrolled, as shown on the course page on 20 Oct 2026. These are edx.org’s own figures, not ours.

Source: edX (opens in a new tab) · Verified 20 Oct 2026 · Report a change

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