To get started with stock trading and to learn, many people start with this method to learn the ropes and practice with fake money

Basic trading

Mutual funds

Paper trading

Training-wheels trading

Paper trading is usually what most people use to get started when they're into stocks. With paper trading (it's a simulation), you're able to trade and learn without using real money.

What I mean by simulation is you can either use a piece of paper to keep track of what you "bought" or "sold", or it can be an online simulation as well in where the program is designated to keep track of what you bought or sold without having you put in real money.