Check with higher education institutions. Many colleges and universities offer free courses to members of the community as a way to engage them in the institution. Find out if they offer any computer classes online to the community for free.
Find out if community foundations offer free online courses. Some community foundations offer free educational computer classes for beginners or individuals wanting to learn a specific software program. The Goodwill Community Foundation is an example. It offers free computer classes online in Microsoft Office, Facebook, the internet and general computer basics.
Use tutorial software. Most software programs come with a tutorial that provides step-by-step instructions on how to use the different features of the program. If you're looking for a free computer class that is specific to a software program use the tutorial under the help menu in your software program.
Inquire with local high schools about computer classes. Some high schools offer computer classes to the public for free as this gives the students an opportunity to teach others how to operate a computer. Some, such as Jefferson High School in California, make these available online.
Determine if an online class is right for you. If you have limited or no computer experience you may not do well in an online computer class since you must direct yourself in how to do the work. For learning computers, taking an in-person class may be more beneficial as an instructor is available to help you when you have a question or are confused.