25 Canadian middle-grade books to watch for in spring 2022

Creative Writing Workshop

Instructor

Elizabeth Mikesch

Course Description

The way we choose our words can alter perception. We can render out-of-body experiences through synesthetic word combos, through rendering vivid scenes and weird ideas. It's a power to be able to lull others into the rhythms of our visions, to sync with them. Our readers will superimpose their own impressions over what we create, and in that, there's magic. To make a reader, listener, or audience member pay attention, to make our writing resonate with them, we have to be super sucked into what we're trying to say: obsessed, even. Our aim for our time together is to initiate ourselves into a life of writing rituals in order to captivate our audience, but most of all ourselves.

We will become a word coven! When this word coven leaves Smith, we'll return to our lives at home practicing our enchantment with language on our pages, and we'll be able to share our secret to hybridized writing with friends and newcomers. We'll pull this off through working on generating tons of beginnings to return to, by collaborating and looking at visual, aural, and textural art with words, through interviewing one another, through writing statements about our aims and aesthetics—our codas to live by as creative people, and finally we'll make our own rituals.

We'll also have access to a massive library of books, zines, projects, readings, settings, and sites to help inspire our rituals in generating, writing, editing, and casting our own fortune as writers. 

Best Online Courses And Certificate Programs To Master New Skills In 2023

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Let's be real — once the New Year approaches, we're all about looking into personal development. Of course, this extends to online courses to sharpen a rusty skill or gain a new one.

From edX and FutureLearn to MasterClass and Skillshare (the latter two we reviewed), there are an endless array of options for you to learn from.

Be sure to note that if one of the classes listed has a monthly price, you may be able to access other classes on that same platform during the time of your membership. Who doesn't love more opportunities to learn?

Ahead, we listed the 34 best online courses in a variety of different categories to help expand your horizons and broaden your mind. Learn how to code, sing, cook, build a fashion brand, dance and so much more. The best part? You'll learn new skills and feel inspired to achieve some of your goals head-on.

Click to jump to specific classes:

Computer Classes 1. Learn To Code Certificate Bundle, $39, original price: $200

This 10-course learning course is great for those who want to learn more about HTML, JavaScript and JPEG. It teaches you coding basics so it's great for beginners or even pros looking to brush up on their skills with more than 120 hours of training.

2. GoSkills Illustrator Basics, $129, original price: $199

Adobe Illustrator is used by millions for digital graphics, illustrations and typography. This beginner-friendly class is a great way to explore the field or even take a hobby to the next level. The course includes 41 video tutorials that cover the fundamentals. An added bonus? The instructor, Eric Vasquez, is an art director and designer with experience working for Nickelodeon, WWE, MLB, Oxygen, Spike TV and more.

3. University of Colorado Boulder Excel Learning Course, $49 a month

Excel can be super intimidating but since so many professionals use it on a daily basis, it's good to stay in the know. This beginners course aims to have you explore the popular spreadsheet program, tackle data management tasks, develop column charts, pie charts, edit worksheets, columns and rows and format cells in just 24 hours.

4. EdX Introduction to Python Programming, $536, original price: $596 edX

Invest in your computer programming skills with this Georgia Tech-certified course in Python. You'll learn how to write code, execute it, interpret the results and revise your code syntax based on the outcomes. To help sharpen your tech skills, this top-rated edX bundle is 100% worth it.

5. Udacity Growth Product Manager Nanodegree Program, $324, original price: $1,197 Udacity

One of our favorite platforms for online learning is Udacity, namely for its professional approach, organized syllabus and collegiate style of learning. Its Growth Product Manager Nanodegree Program is relatively affordable and will help you beat the curve with this growing (no pun intended) profession.

Language Classes 1. Rosetta Stone Language Courses, $179

Rosetta Stone offers a variety of language courses to teach many different languages for all learning levels. Languages include Spanish, French, Italian, German, English, Dutch, Greek and many more.

2. UC Davis Basic Spanish Course, $49 a month

The University of California, Davis' learning course on Coursera helps beginner Spanish students to build a working vocabulary of 1,500 of the most used words and phrases.

Music & Dance Classes 1. Christina Aguilera Singing Lessons, $15 a month

Learn how to sing with none other than Christina Aguilera in a MasterClass course for just $15 a month. You'll learn warm-up exercises, breath control, vibrato, her signature growls and hear Christina break down her biggest hits.

2. Misty Copeland Ballet Course, $15 a month

Learn from the ground-breaking Misty Copeland, who is the first African American female principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. Through MasterClass, she will teach you all about developing a deeper appreciation for ballet and the language of dance. From pliés to partners, Misty demonstrates her techniques and teaches you to own your movement, own who you are and do the dance only you can do.

3. Usher Art of Performance Class, $15 a month

Eight-time Grammy winner Usher is another entertainer you can learn from. In his MasterClass course, he reveals the technical skills, career lessons and breakthrough advice that he has used to captivate audiences for over 25 years. 

4. Berklee College of Music Guitar For Beginners Course, $39 a month

Berklee College of Music's beginner guitar course on Coursera will help you grasp the essentials needed to begin playing acoustic or electric guitar. You'll learn an easy approach to get you playing quickly, through a combination of exploring the instrument, performance technique and basic music theory.

Cooking, Wine & Nutrition Classes 1. Gordon Ramsey Cooking Classes, $15 a month

Learn how to cook with none other than the chef king: Gordon Ramsey. In his MasterClass course, the seven-star Michelin chef takes you into his home kitchen to learn everything from kitchen setup and buying the freshest ingredients to constructing unforgettable dishes. In addition to learning new recipes, you'll learn all about taking your cooking to the next level.

2. Stanford Nutrition Course, $39 a month

Since so many of us use the new year to get healthy and get back into shape, this nutritional course taught by a professor at Stanford could be a great way to get the job done. In this course, learners will be given the information and practical skills they need to begin optimizing the way they eat.

3. UC Davis Wine Tasting Course, $79 a month

If you love wine and want to learn all about how it's created, consider this UC Davis Wine Tasting: Sensory Techniques for Wine Analysis course. You'll learn about the history of wine, explore every type of wine and so much more.

Writing Classes 1. FutureLearn Digital Copywriting Fundamentals, $74 FutureLearn

Sharpen your copywriting skills for the web with this all-in-one FutureLearn Digital Copwriting Fundamentals course. Just shy of $75, it's taught by The Chartered Institute of Marketing to help you write great copy for any digital channel, learn how to write for search engine optimization (SEO) and understand social media and e-mail strategy.

2. Udemy Typing Course, $30

These days, you can do just about everything on a computer. That being said, it's important to have good typing skills. Whether you're a beginner or can type without looking at the keyboard and want to brush up on your skills, this Udemy course can benefit all types.

3. Shona Rhimes Writing For TV Course, $15 a month

It's safe to say the "Grey's Anatomy" creator knows a thing or two about creating great television. In her screenwriting class, Shonda teaches you how to create compelling characters, write a pilot, pitch your idea and stand out in the writers' room. You'll also get original pilot scripts, pitch notes and series bibles from her shows.

4. Wesleyan University Creative Writing Course, $49 a month

The Wesleyan University Creative Writing Course on Coursera covers elements of three major creative writing genres: short story, narrative essay and memoir. You'll learn all about how to create a compelling story including composing a gripping plot, making memorable characters and writing in a descriptive style.

Art & Fashion Classes 1. LinkedIn Learning with Lynda 'Become a 2D Digital Animator', $380 LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning is one of the best online course platforms for teams, much ado to its $380-per-license fee. You can bundle and save with LinkedIn Learning (and, it has much to offer), though we think its 'Become a 2D Digital Animator' is a unique, niche course to take, whether it's to build your professional resume or take on a new hobby.

2. Diane von Furstenberg "How To Build A Fashion Brand" Course, $15 a month

If you dream of creating your very own fashion brand, then we highly recommend taking Diane von Furstenberg's MasterClass course. She built one of the world's most iconic and enduring fashion brands and will teach you just about everything she knows about creating a successful brand. You'll learn how to create a visual identity, build loyalty, stay true to your vision and how to launch your product.

3. The Museum of Modern Art Virtual Classes, $39 a month

The MOMA offers seven different courses with Coursera including Modern Art & Ideas, Fashion as Design, Abstract Painting, Photography and more.

4. Marc Jacobs Fashion Design Course, $15 a month

Marc Jacobs is another affluent and well-known designer you can learn so much from. In his MasterClass course, the 11-time CFDA Award winner will teach you his hands-on process for creating clothes that push boundaries and set trends. Learn about his construction techniques, how he creates unique shapes and silhouettes and how you can develop your own ideas from the first sketch to the final piece.

5. Anna Wintour's Creativity & Leadership Course, $15 a month

Anna Wintour, the Vogue Editor-in-Chief and Artistic Director of Condé Nast, has been driving our cultural conversation and inspiring so many for more than 30 years. In her MasterClass course, the fashion and media icon and gives us access to her world. Get a front-row seat to see how Anna finds talent, makes bold decisions, evolves a brand and how to lead with impact from a visionary creative leader.

6. Michigan State Photography Basics Course, $49 a month

If you have a passion for taking photos but don't know where to start, consider taking this photography basics course at Michigan State University. Whether you're working with a smartphone camera, a DSLR or a compact camera, you'll learn all about how to gain control of exposure and understand the fundamentals of composition, while exploring creative concepts that make worthwhile photos you'll be proud of for years to come.

7. Bobbi Brown Makeup & Beauty Course, $15 a month

Calling all beauty lovers! If you can't stop spending your money at Sephora and Ulta, then it may be time to take a course about makeup and beauty with none other than Bobbi Brown. In her MasterClass course, Bobbi reveals how you can be confident in your own skin and shares her expertise in step-by-step tutorials while using models with a range of skin tones. You'll learn how to choose the right foundation, do a smoky eye and a statement lip and take your look from day to night.

Interior Design Classes 1. Kelly Wearstler Teaches Interior Design, $15 a month

Award-winning designer Kelly Wearstler has her own debriefing on what it takes to make a beautiful home. Laid out to make your space "more beautiful, creative and inspiring," this MasterClass homes in (literally) on finding sources of inspiration, starting a project and working with a given room.

2. Corey Damen Jenkins Teaches Interior Design, $15 a month

If you're interested in dynamic styling ideas, bold hues and luscious textures, look no further than Corey Damen Jenkins' MasterClass. As an acclaimed interior designer, he instructs on curating a stylish space, mixing and matching patterns and even customizing your window patterns, among other niche topics.

3. Interior Design Basics: Simple Steps to Your Perfect Space, $165 annually

You have an empty bookshelf and a blank wall — what do you do? Well, for starters, you can take Lauren Cox's Skillshare class. She's a design program manager at Havenly and walks you through color, balance, scale and proportion, rhythm and repetition and how to style your home — from the modern farmhouse aesthetic to a preppy coastal vibe.

Psychology Classes 1. The Science of Well-Being, $49 a month

This article for the best online classes would be incomplete without a mention of one of the most popular options that nearly broke the Internet. Otherwise known as Yale's "happiness" class, the educational bundle consists of challenges that are "designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits," according to the class description.

2. Matthew Walker Teaches the Science of Better Sleep, $15 a month

Having trouble sleeping? Not to worry, because neuroscience professor Matthew Walker teaches you how to count sleep properly — which includes optimizing the modern-day science to better your overall health.

Specifically, Walker dives into basic questions like what sleep actually is and how it works, while migrating into deeper topics like how alcohol and caffeine impact our sleep cycles and how to use overnight therapy to our advantage.

3. Playing Politics: The Psychology of the Human Workplace, $165 annually

In unprecedented times where working from home is the norm, it's interesting to digest the inner workings of how your office operates. With this Skillshare class, you'll understand the psychology of the human workplace in this deep-dive of relationships and inevitable obstacles you may run into.

Real Estate Classes 1. Robert Reffkin Teaches Buying and Selling Real Estate, $15 a month

Real estate mogul Robert Reffkin, who's the founder and CEO of Compass, is one step closer to helping you find (or sell) your dream home.

Aside from "location, location location" (which he mentions, naturally), you'll understand how to properly decode a real estate listing and everything that comes with making an offer, closing on a home and understanding the value of your home if you're considering putting your home on the market.

2. How to Make a Real Estate Website with WordPress 2017, $165 annually

When it comes to marketing your properties, it's all about digital advertising. That said, this Skillshare class may be in your best interest.

Walking you through WordPress 2017, this all-in-one course highlights everything you need to know about making a listing.

3. Real Estate Investing: The Complete Course, Every Strategy You Need to Know Right Now, $165 annually

If one of your 2022 goals is to look into real estate investing, we found your perfect match, online class edition. Explaining how to build lasting wealth, fix and flip and how you can make money, this Skillshare class is your one-step guide with nearly 50 lessons.

Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.

Best Online Paper Trading Options

At one time, and because of the risk management challenges involved, listed options trading was mostly done by professionals and market makers with limited public participation. Today, you can open an online options trading account and learn options trading via Internet courses.

Although the risks remain the same, you can refine your knowledge of options trading using an online paper trading options simulator that lets you practice without committing any funds, much like you might use a Forex broker's demo account. Keep reading to find out which platform that allows you to paper trade online would suit you best.

The Best Online Paper Trading Platforms

Several online brokerages offer paper trading platforms. Each broker has different requirements and offerings, so you should choose the broker that best fits your situation and needs carefully. Below are listed Benzinga's picks for the best platforms for paper trading.

1. Best for Active and Global Traders: Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers' Trader Workstation (TWS) is one of the most advanced online paper trading platforms you can find. The platform offers hundreds of tools for technical analysis capable of analyzing a wide range of markets and tradable assets. Interactive's TWS Paper Trader virtual trading platform offers almost all of the features of the TWS platform and lets you begin online paper trading with $1 million in virtual money. 

IBKR offers paper trading on a large scale that can help you see the long-term impact of your investment choices

The Paper Trader has all the tools you should expect to see on the platform, meaning you can truly practice

IBKR is highly regarded as an exceptional online paper trading learning platform

IBKR can offer a wide range of tools and support, but that might feel like a bit much for some investors

2. Best for Copy Trading: eToro

eToro is one of the largest and most prominent online brokers in the world. However, eToro does more by allowing you to copy the trades of the best investors, using social trading to your advantage.

The CopyTrader feature allows you to copy the buy and sell orders of known crypto professionals, allowing you to learn how to trade and benefit from their expertise. Prices with eToro are competitive, and the platform offers several educational options that help you learn how the markets work.

You can use the CopyTrader feature along with other self-directed options that help you add more diversity to your portfolio. Remember, with the CopyTrader, there are no management fees, making it even cheaper to add to your portfolio.

eToro focuses heavily on the modern, new trader, helping you learn more about investing

Several available assets on the platform make online paper trading more effective

You can use eToro on your browser and transition to the mobile app

Services that do incur fees could add up quickly

***Disclaimer: eToro securities trading offered by eToro Securities, Inc. ("the BD"), member of FINRA and SIPC. Investing involves risk and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation and is not a guarantee of future performance.

3. Best for Options Trading: Tradier

Tradier uses application programming interface (API) technology to give you access to several different options trading software and platform choices, including an online paper trading choice.

With Tradier, you're not locked into only one platform, so you can integrate other platforms into your Tradier workstation while taking advantage of Tradier's low commissions and fees.

Commissions and fees are low, meaning that you can start saving money once you've practiced as a paper trader

The API integration technology is powerful in that it helps you connect to the places where you prefer to invest

Platform integration may overcomplicate online paper trading for beginners

4. Best for Professional Traders: TradeStation

Once the platform of choice for many professional traders, TradeStation's GO account offers new traders access to most of the same stock screeners and features of their professional platform, also available on their online paper trading platform. 

The broker also offers extensive educational and developmental tools to help new traders excel in their trading. TradeStation offers a wide range of tradable assets and charges $0 commissions on stocks and most ETFs.

The large range of tradable assets makes it much easier to invest in a diverse portfolio

You can paper trade on this platform before deciding what type of account you prefer to maintain

This is a choice platform for professional traders, and may not be the best starting online paper trading platform.  

Not all assets are free

5. Best for Short Selling: TradeZero

TradeZero ensures that you can trade both on your desktop and mobile devices. The online trading platform offers free trading options, and you can also take advantage of low fees for other trades.

Dedicated 24/7 customer support is available, along with a secure platform that adheres to all federal standards. You can invest using the free app, or you can move up to a Pro account for $59 per month. There are powerful charting and technical analysis options, and you can use free limit orders and no pattern trading rules to invest with the strategy you prefer.

The low pro account fee helps you get the support you need without overspending on that support

You can paper trade here and get customer support at the same time, learning how best to manage your portfolio

There's no urgent need to step up to a Pro account if you don't want to

Even though the platform offers 24/7 support, there's no guarantee that you can reach the exact person you wish to speak with when you reach out to the platform

6. Best for Beginners: Olive Invest

Olive Invest was designed to make options trading easier for investors, using AI and machine learning technologies to produce better strategies. You don't have to do the math when Olive can do it. Plus, you get recommendations for trades made by professionals, allowing you to take a profitable path to focus on income generation, increasing profits, or specific entries into the market. 

Best for beginners, anyone can use this online paper trading platform to refine their options trades. Additionally, several educational tools on the site teach you about the options market — one that's often misunderstood by the public.

As a part of the refining process, you can use online paper trading to study, learn and practice how you would prefer to make investments. This is an important part of any trading journey because it teaches you what a real-world situation would look like without putting up your own money.

Olive Invest isn't a brokerage. You connect through a secure API to your broker and make trades based on the recommendations you get. After a two-week trial, you can purchase access to Olive for a monthly or yearly rate to improve your portfolio.

Because you can connect to the places where you prefer to trade, Olive is giving a whole new look at how to invest

You can learn quite a bit about the options market before you invest your hard-earned money

While the trial period is two weeks, you may not yet know if you want to commit on a monthly or yearly basis, thus impacting the price you will pay

Because this is not a brokerage, remember that you must know the terms and conditions of the platform to which you connect

What is Online Paper Trading?

Paper trading dates back to well before the advent of online trading, and the activity's name reflects how traders would practice writing trades on paper before committing money to the activity. New options traders can learn basic strategies through online paper trading, while seasoned traders sometimes paper trade to test new options positions and strategies.

In practice, paper trading traditionally consisted of writing down hypothetical buy and sell decisions on a piece of paper instead of actually placing real trade orders through a broker. This process was as simple as jotting down trades in a notepad or using a spreadsheet to enter trades and then analyze positions.

With today's technology, traders can paper trade options using either a market simulator or real-time market prices and software that emulates a trading platform. A modern online paper trading platform typically lets options traders enter and exit the market and assess their net positions virtually in real-time. This process provides a useful practice opportunity, as well as important insights into how their trading strategy and virtual options positions would perform in an actual funded account.  

Pros and Cons of Online Paper Trading

Paper trading can offer considerable benefits to new and seasoned traders. However, some key limitations to online paper trading could become evident once the trader begins to operate in a funded account. Benzinga has listed below some of the pros and cons of paper trading that you might want to become familiar with before opening a virtual options trading account: 

Pros

Lack of stress: Because you don't have any funds committed to your trading, you usually won't be affected by the two most common emotions involved in trading: fear and greed. Without the fear of losing money, the paper trader can concentrate on risk management and how their positions behave in the market without being influenced by the emotional element of trading. 

No risk: Since online paper trading does not require funding of any kind, you cannot lose money from poor paper trading decisions, a bad strategy or unfortunate market timing. By eliminating the financial risk factor, paper trading online allows you to analyze the flaws in your trading process and hone your strategy further. This can give you an edge that you can later benefit from when trading in a funded account. 

Practice: Practicing option trading in a virtual account gives you considerable insight into how you and your strategy will behave when operating in a live funded account. By paper trading online on an options trading platform, you'll gain experience in all aspects of trading, including making trading decisions, entering orders, timing and establishing positions, managing risk and taking profits or losses as you close positions out. 

Confidence: Making virtual money from trading complex options positions can give novice options traders more confidence when trading in a live account. One of the key elements to successful trading is feeling secure in your trading decisions, so developing confidence in a paper trading account can benefit you when trading in a live account.

Statistics: Trading for a month or more in a virtual account will generate realistic statistics about your chosen strategy so you can determine whether it is likely to be profitable or not. This process allows you to find and address weaknesses in the strategy and lets you to make appropriate changes to enhance your strategy's success.

Cons

Risk-taking differences: Paper trading online allows traders to take risks they would not otherwise consider since no monetary gain or loss is involved. Traders using a virtual account may expand their profits with little consideration of the actual risk of loss they take with a funded account. At the same time, losses can also lose their emotional sting since only virtual money is being lost.

Lack of accuracy: Since online paper trading involves using only virtual money, dealing spreads may not be as accurate as you would experience when trading in a live account.

Missed market correlations: When online paper trading individual stocks and options, a trader might overlook the influence of the broader stock market that can occur when volatility increases. Results obtained trading individual stock options in a real trading environment may differ due to stock market correlations. 

Unrealistically easy execution: Trading on paper lets you quickly pick your position entry and exit points, but this might not happen as smoothly when you go to execute a real trade because of slippage and requotes. Markets can also shift direction without warning as economic information is released or when large transactions are executed. Unless you use a no-slippage broker, there is no way to know what kind of slippage your orders might experience, so the results of online paper trading may be less than accurate. 

Who Should Try Online Paper Trading?

People who would most benefit from online paper trading options include:

New traders: People with no experience in the market would gain invaluable trading experience by paper trading for several months or more. The experience and knowledge gained after paper trading could prepare a novice for trading options in a live, funded account.

Traders with little experience: Many traders and investors have little or no options trading experience. These market participants could benefit from paper trading using an options simulator to practice before starting to trade in a live brokerage account. 

Experienced options traders: Traders with experience could paper trade to test new options strategies, try out a different underlying market or see how an existing options trading plan might perform under different market conditions. 

Sharpening Your Online Trading Skills

Benzinga has presented above some of the best options for trading options in a virtual account, although the best broker to choose will depend largely on your financial situation and your specific needs and preferences as an options trader. For example, if you want to trade options on multiple assets actively in several world markets, then Interactive Brokers could work better for you than other platforms. On the other hand, if you want to learn how to use one of the very best online option trading platforms available, you could gravitate toward using the thinkorswim platform from TD Ameritrade (owned by Schwab) to get started with online paper trading options.

Frequently Asked Questions

A

Paper trading can certainly enhance your skills as a trader, allow you to practice, help you become more familiar with a market and highlight potential trading issues, so it is a great way to learn how to trade. The more familiar you become with any market, the more likely you will be able to trade that market profitably. However, your experience trading in a virtual account may differ from trading in a live account for several reasons.

A

No, you cannot make money by paper trading, although you can develop a successful track record. You can also make money by applying the knowledge you gained from paper trading in a live account.

A

Virtual paper trading is another name for online paper trading. It allows you to simulate real-world values and price movements of stocks to practice trading using virtual money.

A

Interactive Brokers, eToro and TD Ameritrade (owned by Schwab) are all great broker options for paper trading.

A

While there's no possibility of losing money from trades, not all online paper trading is free. Some online paper trading platforms require a fee for certain trades or to access the trading platform.

A

Online paper trading is an effective training tool. However, it does not necessarily simulate real market situations as some traders may be more susceptible to emotional decision-making when actual money is involved. Likewise, some traders may be susceptible to euphoric trading, taking exceptional risks with paper trading, especially if they have large accounts.

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