As we age, it is essential to keep our minds active and engaged. Learning new things can help keep us sharp and give us a sense of purpose. It can also be a fun and social way to keep us engaged with our peers.

However, for some, when we think about learning, it can fill us with dread or dissatisfaction based on beliefs we picked up in childhood. Maybe schooling wasn’t a good experience for us, or we remember those endless university assignments and exams that brought with them stress and pressure. You might feel like you just don’t have the energy to go there again.

But there are more options than just university or learning by rote. And it doesn’t have to be stressful or a heavy-duty commitment. Here’s a review of some places to start online.

These are online courses aimed at unlimited participation and open access via the internet. As well as the typical course formats, such as filmed lectures, many MOOCs provide interactive courses with user forums to encourage discussions and interactions among students and academic staff. The Khan Academy is probably one of the most well-known providers of MOOCs. It offers a broad and comprehensive range of topics to study, from early childhood education to university level. khanacademy.org

SeniorNet specialises in digital skills learning for seniors (aged 50 years and over). With 50 Learning Centres around the country, the organisation offers small informal group training or online learning opportunities throughout New Zealand. With the focus being on digital skills, there are opportunities for everyone, no matter what stage you are at in your digital journey. “Because we specialise in learning for older people, we have more patience and more understanding of how older people learn. We know, too, that socialisation is most important, and we aim to make digital learning fun and enjoyable,” says Heather Newell, Executive Officer of the SeniorNet Federation. seniornet.org

TED is a not-for-profit organisation with the goal of spreading great ideas via online talks. The subjects covered range from philosophy to business, literature to science and technology. Each talk is short enough (maximum length of 18 minutes) to keep your attention hooked. TED events take place throughout the world, where new talks are recorded and uploaded almost daily – so there’s never a shortage of new material, and you’ll be sure to find something that is of interest to you. You can search via topic or via speaker. Speakers are generally academics who are highly proficient in their subject but can explain the content in a way the layperson can understand. ed.ted.com