Online learning platforms are not about education; they’re also about innovation and entrepreneurship. Much like the dynamic environment of friday casino, where excitement and opportunity are always around the corner, these platforms offer creators a chance to set up or teach courses, unleashing their potential in new and exciting ways. They provide a valuable resource for learners. They also open up avenues for monetizing content. With many options available, choosing the right platform can be overwhelming. To navigate this bustling landscape, explore these top picks in online learning platforms!
What’s the difference between online learning platforms and learning management systems?
When choosing an online learning platform, it’s critical to understand how it’s different from other options like learning management systems (LMS) and course websites.
An online learning platform is a user-facing environment where students learn new skills. In comparison, a learning management system is a back-end solution that provides all the necessary tools to the online learning platform so it can function. This feature would enable users to upload videos, create quizzes, grade assignments, and perform other related functions.
Online learning platforms are like online course websites. Online learning platforms are more flexible than course websites. Course websites focus on creating courses. In contrast, online learning platforms offer a wider range of learning options. This includes short videos as well as full online degrees.
5 Best online learning platforms
Thinkific
Consider exploring the most versatile online learning platform available, Thinkific.
Thinkific is a great platform for making educational content. It is ideal for teaching students, training employees, or creating product education programs. It’s flexible, letting you tailor learning experiences to fit your needs.
Still, trying to figure out where to start? Thinkific Academy will teach you how to build an online learning platform. It will also teach you how to price and market your courses.
Coursera
Coursera is one of the largest online learning platforms in the world. It has millions of students. It partners with over 200 top universities and companies. It produces the best courses across a wide variety of subjects. The platform provides tailored course playlists for users. They help you develop the necessary skills for the job of your dreams!
There are individual courses, certificate courses, and university-level courses available. Some options are free, while others need payment. You can buy each course. Or, you can enroll in a Coursera Plus plan. It gives you access to all courses for a yearly subscription fee. Note that enrolling in a free Coursera program won’t provide you with a certificate at the completion point.
Lots of courses are available for free. Paid courses start at $9.99. Certificate-level courses begin at $39. University courses start at $2,000. You can also pay $59 a month or a $399 annual fee to unlock all the courses on Coursera. Yet, the monthly or yearly subscriptions do not include university degrees or MasterTrack certificates.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning started as Lynda.com in 1995. It features over 17,000 courses on business, technology, and creativity topics. Experts in their respective fields use LinkedIn Learning to share their knowledge. Others who want to step into the industry use it, too.
LinkedIn Learning is excellent at teaching you how to do complex things. It does this by breaking big, technical topics down into bitesize components. For example, you can learn the ins and outs of Adobe apps like Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. You can also learn rendering in Blender, SketchUp, Maya, and more.
You can buy courses or get a recurring subscription. Any certificates can be displayed on your LinkedIn profile.
Individual courses vary between $20 and $50. LinkedIn Learning offers two pricing plans: $39.99 per month or $239.88 per year (50% discount!). These plans also give you access to LinkedIn Premium. It has advanced networking and career-building tools.
Skillshare
Anyone into creative arts or acquiring new creative skills would appreciate Skillshare. Skillshare is less formal than many online learning platforms. It focuses more on practical skills than on degrees or certificates.
Courses on Skillshare are often led by creatives who are well-known in their field. The courses usually last up to two hours. They’re broken down further into 3 to 5-minute episodes. This makes them easier to digest. This makes Skillshare learning accessible for people short on time.
Some introductory courses are free. To access the complete catalog, you will need to buy a subscription.
edX
If you’re looking for a more formal learning environment, edX is one of the best online options. This platform partners with top universities, such as Harvard, MIT, and Berkeley. It offers actual university courses online. This is particularly helpful for individuals who are studying in distant areas. It’s also great for anyone who wants to avoid commuting to an in-person class for their degree.
Most courses, such as data analysis, engineering, or math, skew into the STEM fields. But plenty of others (out of 4,000+ courses on the platform) exist. You can take most classes for free if you don’t need the certificate.