News Release from Goodwill Industries of Eastern North Carolina, Inc. and Goodwill Community Foundation:
GCFLEARNFREE.ORG Shows Increase in Online Learning During Tough Economic Times
Raleigh, NC- GCFLearnFree.org has always offered computer and life-skills training 100% free. We’ve had over 650,000 learners take advantage of this opportunity over the years. But during this recent rough economic time, we are seeing a dramatic increase in people signing up for online classes and taking our self-paced tutorials.
This year alone we’ve accommodated over half a million visitors on our English and Spanish sites. In 2009, we’ve already awarded over 1,500 Continuing Education Units in our online classes, which is 65% more than last year at this time. Among our Top 10 tutorials are Computer Basics, Microsoft Excel, Word, and Internet Basics.
Not surprisingly, our Career Development tutorial also continues to be in the Top 10. In this tutorial, learners can get tips on writing resumes and what to expect in an interview as well as other job-seeking strategies.
GCFLearnFree.org’s motto is, “Learn what you want, when you want, absolutely free.” Our program lives up to this motto by offering various ways of learning. Our self-paced tutorials allow a learner to step through a tutorial at their own pace on their own time. Our online classes are for learners who want more structure with guidance from our on-line instructors. At the completion of a class a Certificate of Completion and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded.
GCFLearnFree.org is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) to offer CEUs for these classes. No matter which path a learner chooses, they are able to access all of our materials 24 hours a day at no charge.
We receive regular feedback from users such as, “I loved this class…it was difficult and challenging for me but a real sense of accomplishment followed every ‘Assignment’.” Another user commented, “I really enjoyed the class. Thank you for giving us a place where we can improve our skills for better employment.” And yet another wrote, “I believe that this website is a truly valuable tool. I recommend it to people all the time as a way to learn. The best part is it’s free!!” These are just a few of the testimonials that speak volumes, letting us and others know that we continue to have an impact on the local and global community.
For additional information on the learning opportunities offered by GCFLearnFree.org visit http://www.gcflearnfree.org/.
ABOUT GCFLearnFree.org- GCFLearnFree.org, formerly GCF Global Learning, is owned by the Goodwill Community Foundation, Inc. (”GCF”) and operated on behalf of GCF by Goodwill Industries of Eastern North Carolina, Inc. (GIENC). GCF launched its website in 1999 and quickly began to share our free curriculum with learners all over the world. We believe that quality, innovative education helps people improve the quality of their lives. And through our computer, technology, and life skills training, our learners acquire the skills they need to do this.
