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---
title: Bill Gates Shares His 4 Favorite Learning Hacks
description: Bill Gates shares his four favorite learning hacks, including resources on how to code and watching educational videos.
canonical: https://time.com/5066247/bill-gates-learning-hacks/
author: Bill Gates
article:opinion: true
article:content_tier: free
article:published_time: 2018-01-04T12:00:49.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-04-13T08:57:59.825Z
article:section: Ideas
og:title: The 4 Learning Hacks Bill Gates Swears By
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og:image:alt: Munich Security Conference
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twitter:description: And it&#x27;s all online
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# The 4 Learning Hacks Bill Gates Swears By

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![Bill Gates](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc05055090055854d/6988bec90b72e310566ecfdb/bill-gates.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Bill Gates](https://time.com/author/bill-gates/)


![Bill Gates](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc05055090055854d/6988bec90b72e310566ecfdb/bill-gates.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Bill Gates


Jan 4, 2018 12:00 PM UTC

![Munich Security Conference](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blteb876f7c4e486460/6988f53fcf40a8a79bc4a9cc/bill-gates-favorite-learning-hacks.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

Bill Gates at Munich Security Conference on February 17, 2017 in Munich, Germany.

Bill Gates at Munich Security Conference on February 17, 2017 in Munich, Germany.Michael Gottschalk—Photothek/Getty Images

![Bill Gates](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc05055090055854d/6988bec90b72e310566ecfdb/bill-gates.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Bill Gates](https://time.com/author/bill-gates/)


![Bill Gates](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc05055090055854d/6988bec90b72e310566ecfdb/bill-gates.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Bill Gates


Jan 4, 2018 12:00 PM UTC

There’s never been a better time to be alive if you’re curious. When I wanted to learn something outside of school as a kid, cracking open my World Book encyclopedia was the best I could do. Today, all you have to do is go online. There are many good resources out there, but these are a few of my favorite ways to [continue learning](http://time.com/4825289/world-refugee-day-education-hadi-althib/).

## **Khan Academy**

[ Khan Academy](https://www.khanacademy.org/)’s short videos are a great way to get smarter in just a couple minutes. My kids have used them for their classes, and I use them to refresh concepts that I haven’t studied since high school. Their videos are a tremendous resource on topics ranging from basic arithmetic to complicated subjects like electrical engineering.

## **Code.org**

I think everyone could benefit from learning how to write even some [basic code](http://time.com/4261554/why-schools-should-teach-more-than-basic-coding/). Even if you don’t use it in your day-to-day life, [computer science](http://time.com/4040637/computer-science-girls-stereotypes/) forces you to think abstractly and solve concrete problems.[ Code.org](https://studio.code.org/courses) is a terrific resource for learners of any skill level – and I got to contribute a[ lesson of my own](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2Ux2PnJe6E).

## **The Great Courses from The Teaching Company**

One of my favorite sources for interesting lectures is[ The Teaching Company](https://www.thegreatcourses.com/). They get incredible professors to teach courses on pretty much every topic you can think of. I always take at least one of their DVDs to watch when I travel. Right now, I’ve got their courses on oceanography, the surveillance state, and physiology.

## **Big History Project**

I may be a bit biased toward this one since I helped fund it. If you consider yourself a lifelong learner, you have to check out the[ Big History Project](https://www.bighistoryproject.com/home). This free online course gives you a comprehensive look at the history of the universe from the Big Bang to today.

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