Curious.com

Beginners Guide to Chess

Before you write off the long-standing game, consider that chess can improve your concentration, memory, problem solving skills, and even your scores on an IQ test.

Master the game without struggle. Learn fundamental elements of the game, how to open, how to control space, and how to attack with two pieces simultaneously.

With this course you too will be well on your way to being able to win a game of chess in four moves.

Check mate.

 

Learn more about the benefits of chess:

Journal of Experimental Psychology: “Mechanisms and neural basis of object and pattern recognition: A study with chess experts”

University of Sydney: “The Case for Chess as a Tool to Develop Our Children’s Minds”

Examined Existence: “Does Playing Chess Make You Smarter?”

Chess.com: “10 Big Brain Benefits of Chess”

The Atlantic “Speed Chess Changed My Brain”

 

Get the most out of Google

Whip your inbox into shape and stop wasting time sorting through unimportant emails with help from the Course of the Week by Meira Gottlieb.

Once you’ve cleaned up your inbox, master the Google products you use every day and discover useful services like Google My Maps, Google Add-Ons, and more.

Who knows what you can accomplish once you have Google working for you.

How to be a better runner with the Pose Method

Want to run longer and faster, without pain or injury?

This comprehensive twelve week course by movement expert Dr. Nicholas Romanov will help you become a better runner. Whether you're just starting out, or you're a seasoned runner, this program will help you stay on top of your technique and keep you running, year round, for the rest of your life.

Learn the proper mechanics of running and drills to improve technique flaws. Most importantly, enjoy running, instead of laboring through it.

When you finish the Pose Method® of Running Program, you will be able to run longer and faster with fewer injuries.

 

Photography Basics

Get the most out of your photos (and your fancy camera) with the Course of the Week by Bernie Raffe. It’s a snap.

Master the basics of setting up the perfect shot with the rule of thirds and depth of field. Once you are ready to start shooting, dive into how to adjust ISO settings, aperture, and exposure. You will even learn how to choose the right lens and when to use flash.

It’s easy to improve the quality of your photography with Bernie by your side!

How to Sew a T-Shirt Maxi Dress

Get ready for warm weather and relaxing days with a custom dress.

Learn how to take your favorite t-shirt and use it as a guide to make a dress that fits you perfectly with this course. Stylist and seamstress Mimi G breaks down the process and guides you through taking measurements, patternmaking, and sewing.

Now if only we could make something stylish out of our favorite pair of sweatpants...

How to Read Music

Baffled by sheet music?

Decode the basics of musical language with this short course from Bill Graham Music.

Learn what a sound is and how sound relates to length, pitch, volume, and timbre. Then discover the fundamentals of rhythm, and learn how notes combine to form measures. Finally discover melody, and learn how to read basic sheet music, including the symbols for sharps and flats.

By the end of this course, you will be confidently reading basic sheet music.

Sunset Magazine’s Guide to Container Gardens

Transform any porch or patio into a productive, beautiful container garden with this course from Sunset Magazine.

Follow along with Sunset’s garden guru, Joanna Silver, as she explains how to navigate the nursery, purchase containers, grow and maintain plants, and harvest edibles!

No room for pots? No problem! Learn how to grow a clever vertical garden.

Warning, this course will turn your thumbs green.

Preparing for a Trip to Japan

Before you set off for Tokyo or Mount Fuji this summer, learn helpful phrases and the basics of speaking Japanese. Language teacher Yuu Asakura shows you everything you need to know before arriving, including where and when to visit and how to get around.

Prepare for your arrival by learning how to ask questions, order in a restaurant, and even how to shop for souvenirs.

Enjoy the trip of a lifetime in a beautiful country.

HTML in 1 Hour

In an hour you can bake cookies, binge watch 1.25 episodes of Mad Men, or you can learn to code in HTML.

Develop a new skill (and a web site to show for it) in a single evening with the Course of the Week by 1HourAcademy.

This beginner-level course is designed to help you learn the basics of web page design using HyperText Markup Language. Begin the course by learning to use HTML in Notepad, and continue onto Aptana Studio to make a basic HTML web page that can run on multiple browsers. By the end of the course you’ll even know how to use and apply CSS stylesheets in HTML!

What are you waiting for? You can even have the cookie when you’re done.

DIY Decorations to Welcome Spring

Say goodbye to winter with these whimsical decorations.

Whether you’re making a spring flower garland, chick egg holders for Easter, or a garland made from ribbons and flowers, this course from crafty ArtDaniela can be your guide.

Perfect for all ages, you only need some scissors, paper, and glue to spruce up your home (or your office) for the new season.

DIY Decorations to Welcome Spring

Say goodbye to winter with these whimsical decorations.

Whether you’re making a spring flower garland, chick egg holders for Easter, or a garland made from ribbons and flowers, this course from crafty ArtDaniela can be your guide.

Perfect for all ages, you only need some scissors, paper, and glue to spruce up your home (or your office) for the new season.

Piano for Beginners

Get inspired with this new approach to playing the piano.

Dive into the music theory behind beautiful melodies and harmonies. Get your fingers comfortable with basic chords. This seven-lesson course by Mark Almond, an expert performer with more than 35 years teaching experience, will help you fly through the beginner material and prepare you to move on.

By the end of this course, you’ll know how to play the 12 major and minor chords and how to mix them up to form progressions.

 

Talk with your hands – ASL for beginners

Try your hand at one of the most popular languages for deaf and hard-of-hearing people worldwide!

This 10-lesson course from Happy Signing Tutoring Services walks through the basics of American Sign Language, including word order and grammar. You will learn how to create sentences, build vocabulary by themes, and sign the alphabet.

Let your fingers speak volumes.

How to Make a Duct Tape Prom Dress

Roll out a prom you’ll never forget. Create the dress of your dreams with duct tape. Really!

Transform rolls of duct tape into a stunning gown that matches your style and stands out in a crowd.

From making your dress fit perfectly to adding a zipper and embellishments, Sophie’s World walks you through step by step in this course. She even shows you how to make duct tape shoes to finish the outfit.

Finally, learn how to make a corsage and boutonniere to complete the look.

 

Sold! Learn how to sell on eBay

Clear out the clutter around your house and make money while doing it! Learn how to sell personal and retail products on eBay.

In this introductory course, online entrepreneur and trainer, Matt Berstein, guides you through everything you need to sell successfully, including how to set up eBay and PayPal accounts, what products you should sell online, and best practices for inventory, product listings, and communication with customers.

Your grandmother’s figurines aren’t going to sell themselves.

How to make the perfect cup of coffee

Wake up every morning to the perfect cup of coffee.

You don’t need crazy syrups, intense machines, or a stylish pair of thick-framed glasses to make a delicious cup of coffee.

Learn how to use a French press, pull an impeccable shot of espresso, and even make gallery worthy latte art. From the basics of coffee-making equipment like grinders and espresso machines, to the science of flavor profile and ingredients like steamed milk, this course by Coffee Plus Water will leave you buzzing with knowledgeable and craving a cup.

It’s time to say goodbye to your favorite barista.

Show the love

Create a heartfelt Valentine faster than Cupid can shoot arrows.

Learn how to draw different heart designs, block letters, and roses with DrawingTeacher’s How to Create Valentine’s Day Drawings. This beginner course is perfect for adults and kids alike. Once you master the basic techniques you can create custom drawings to fit every message.

Like peanut butter and jelly, you and this course were made for each other.

Beginner Mandarin Chinese for Travel

Make your wildest 2015 travel dreams come true.

Get the skills you need to immerse yourself in a new culture and navigate with ease with Beginner Mandarin Chinese for Travel by Jenny Wang. This 7-lesson course will teach you greeting phrases, counting, and how to respond to questions.

Foodies rejoice – you will even learn how to confidently order unforgettable food in a restaurant.

It’s never too early to start planning your summer vacation.

 

LinkedIn Essentials

Toss your Rolodex and start building your online network with LinkedIn.

Learn how to connect with other professionals, create an online resume, and discover job opportunities with this course by a social media expert PR Wilson Media.

From creating an impressive profile to finding a great job, this course will make you stand out online and help you find the perfect job for you.

13 Easy Appetizers for Super Bowl Sunday

No matter what team you are rooting for, we can all agree that one of the best things about the big game is the food. Americans eat more food on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day except Thanksgiving.

Kick off your party with 13 delicious appetizers, including homemade guacamole, chicken wings, and crispy beer-battered onion rings from our course of the week.

Rock on: Beginner’s Guide to Playing Guitar

Strum some winter blues with the perfect course for beginner guitar players. This 36-lesson course is designed for the millions of new guitar players struggling to get “over the hump” of playing real songs the real way.

It even includes a pep talk lesson for when your fingers start hurting!

Start by learning the anatomy of your instrument and standard tuning and work your way towards playing your first chords. At the end of this course, you’ll know how to use tabs, chord stamps, and chord charts to play your favorite songs!

Groupies not included.

Turn your resolution into a healthy reality

Before you try eating baby food or sipping on cabbage soup for every meal, dig into the Beginner’s Guide to Clean Eating. This handy course features more than 10 recipes to make your resolution into reality.

The delicous recipes will take you through the day, from breakfast to dinner—and everything in between. Learn to use organic, all natural ingredients to make simple, healthy recipes that will help you look and feel your best.

You don’t even have to say goodbye to cookies.

How to be a healthy runner

Don’t be one of the nearly 70 percent of runners that get injured! Whether you can’t run a mile or you run more miles than you drive, improve your form, run pain-free, and get fast with this course by The Balanced Runner.

From nutrition to strengthening exercises, learn how to be an unstoppable runner. The spandex is optional.

3... 2...1… Happy New Year!

Pick the perfect wine to pair with your holiday meal or toast the new year. Explore the world of wine with Sunset magazine’s wine editor and discover new favorites.

From deep, spicy reds to light sparkling wines, sip on the perfect glass for any occasion with Sunset's Essentials of Wine course.

 

Crack the code

Don’t let HTML intimidate you. Take control of your website and learn how to make changes on your own with How to Code in HTML.

This extensive course by Eduonix delves into everything you need to know about HTML coding in 32 step-by-step lessons. Learn how to code with HTML5 and CSS3 from creating tables and lists on a webpage to developing your own HTML5 mobile phone app! You'll be coding in no time.