If you want to learn about investing, you really need a broker to work with on your real investments.
While you're doing that, though, you could always look into setting up trading accounts - there are lots to choose from, and they can offer you demos which allow you to trade without risking any real cash.
If you're serious about this, it can be a long learning curve, and you really ought to be watching your accounts on a daily basis. Probably even better to start with a couple and place a dozen companies stocks in each - and generally play with the system - do research, read charts and histories, and generally try and have fun with it *before* you risk playing with your own money for real.
Anyway, hope that helps, and welcome to FM, maggie.