For teens who are racing ahead in a subject or exploring potential careers, Coursera can act like a window into real college classrooms. This massive open online course (MOOC) platform partners with universities and companies around the world to offer video-based courses in everything from computer science and psychology to art history and data science. Lessons typically include short lectures, quizzes, and projects, and many courses offer certificates or even college credit options. Parents appreciate that motivated high schoolers can sample serious coursework without paying full tuition or moving on campus, and that you can often “audit” classes for free. The tradeoff is that courses are designed for adults, so difficulty and content level vary, and completion requires a good deal of self-discipline. We suggest starting with a single, well-reviewed course and treating it as an elective, not the core of your homeschool program.
