Coursera
Best for Online Courses and degrees
Udemy
Best for Skill development
edX
Best for online Education
LinkedIn Learning
Best for LinkedIn business
Future Learn
Best for Business Management
An online learning platform is a digital learning environment. Students can access various study materials using a learning portal or webpage, such as texts, videos, and more.
It's the perfect time to get involved in a world where 49% of individuals have previously finished online learning. With 80% of companies now providing digital training choices, businesses are increasingly entering into the education space.
Creators can encourage the development of skills and meaningful community interaction through online learning. Platforms for online learning are excellent for planning and teaching courses. You may frequently use them to monetize your own stuff as well!
However, with so many online learning systems available, how can you make a decision? Take a look at these best choices first!
Coursera
Best for Online Courses and degrees
The Stanford University computer science professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller launched the for-profit, international, massive open online course provider Coursera in 2012. Coursera free courses, certificates, and degrees in various areas are made available by Coursera in collaboration with colleges and other organizations.
As one of the biggest online learning platforms worldwide, Coursera courses have millions of students, and it collaborates with more than 200 leading academic institutions and businesses to create the best courses in a wide range of areas. Additionally, the platform provides customized course playlists to help you gain the skills required for the career of your dreams!
Coursera certificate courses, courses at the university level, and individual classes are all offered. The site provides completion certificates and flexible learning choices for students seeking professional development.
Is Coursera completely free?While some are paid for, others are free. Each course can be purchased separately, or you can sign up for a yearly subscription to Coursera Plus, which grants you access to all courses.
How much does Coursera cost per month?You canpay $59 monthly or $399 annually to gain access to every course on Coursera. Be aware that signing up for a Coursera free course with a certificate program does not apply to this feature.
Pros:
- More than 15000 Coursera free courses
- A range of topics, including technology and art
- Official certifications that are accepted by a large number of businesses
Cons:
- Some courses have a time limit
- Full access required a paid Coursera subscription
Udemy
Best for Skill development
There is a good reason why Udemy is a well-liked e-learning site. The website provides an easy-to-use instructional setup that is ideal for beginners and supports various learning resources for professional contexts. Udemy allows you to customize your instruction and make even the most difficult subjects easier to understand.
Udemy coursesplatform has over 62 million students, 60,000 teachers, and over 213,000 courses covering every possible topic. In general, Udemy Business offers excellent classes in software usage, programming, management training, and other areas of personal and professional growth.
On Udemy, you may learn almost anything, from graphic design to personal development. There isn't even a central subject. Multimedia technologies are also used in most classes, combining text, graphics, video, quizzes, etc.
Each Udemy course includes a video tutorial(the average course is 5 hours long, but some are as short as 30 minutes) and extra tools such as quizzes, practice exams, coding exercises, and assignments. You can download and watch any Udemy course offline at any time.
Udemy is suitable for those who can just browse the site's offerings with a business subscription or are considering taking a specific course.
Are Udemy free courses available?Udemy free courses with certificates are not available. Udemy certificates and courses are paid.
Pros:
- The largest selection of courses
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No deadlines
- Bright interface with simple branding incorporations
Cons:
- Some courses can be low-quality
- Some tools may be too complex
- The entire suit of website features is only available with a paid subscription.
edX
Best for online Education
Leading online learning website EdX provides a wide range of courses from top international universities. Students can choose from over 4,000 courses on EdX that cover a wide range of topics. Even free educational samples and bridge choices for additional study are available on the platform.
This site offers authentic university courses online in collaboration with leading universities, including Harvard, MIT, and Berkeley. This is highly beneficial for students living in remote areas or who prefer not to commute to an in-person class.
Most courses focus on STEM subjects, including math, engineering, and data analysis. However, there are many additional options as well out of the 4,000+ courses on the platform. If you do not require the certificate, you can enroll in most classes at no cost.
edX also offers Micro Masters degrees, which are basically a collection of graduate-level courses from significant universities. Some universities provide credit for the Micro Masters program certificate. The programs are not free, although they rarely exceed $1,500 and take between 7 months and a year to finish. If you're thinking about going to graduate school, edX offers online Master's Degrees.
There are no certifications for free classes. Certificate-granting courses range in price from $50 to $300. Multiple courses are included in complete degree programs, which typically cost $1,000 or more.
Pros:
- A large number of high-quality courses
- Available built-in tests and other evaluation resources
- More reasonably priced than in-person options for earning a degree
Cons:
- Learning may not be sufficient on its own.
- Courses are usually taught to large groups of people.
LinkedIn Learning
Best for LinkedIn business
LinkedIn offers training through the LinkedIn Learning app. The system can provide text and video lessons, among its many other teaching tools. Even better, content producers can pair educational materials with other social media marketing techniques and tools.
LinkedIn Learning courses listis an excellent resource for learning simple, complicated skills. It manages this by reducing complex, technical subjects into smaller portions. For example, you can learn how to render in Blender, SketchUp, and Maya and learn the ins and outs of Adobe programs like Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.
Is LinkedIn learning free courses with certificates available?No single-course purchases and regular subscriptions are available. You can set up your LinkedIn profile to automatically display any certificates you own.
The cost of each course ranges from $20 to $50. A monthly subscription to LinkedIn Learning for studentscosts $39.99, while an annual plan is $239.88—a 50% savings! You may also access LinkedIn Premium, which offers powerful networking and career-building skills, with these subscriptions.
If businesses or educational institutions would like to offer the platform to their institution, bulk pricing is also an option.
Pros:
- Adding fresh certifications to your LinkedIn profile is helpful.
- Wide reach enabled by pre-existing LinkedIn networks
- Simple-to-use tools accessible to both producers and buyers
Cons:
- Features might be limited for more complex training.
- Not suitable for all businesses or industries
Future Learn
Best for Business Management
Future Learn is an online learning platform. Future Learn courses, programs, and degrees are available on the site. Additionally, while learning on this platform, you may earn credits and receive certified Future Learn certificates. It also has affiliations with highly regarded colleges and a well-defined company. However, there are a lot of unfavorable student ratings for Future Learn, and the cost might be high.
Professionals develop courses on Future Learn from top universities and companies. Since each course is divided into manageable steps, students can easily fit it into their schedule and learn at any time or location. Additionally, courses are designed with social learning pedagogy—the idea that group learning is more effective—in mind. As a result, employees may now engage in real collaborative online social learning where they can learn from each other as well as from experts.
Is Future Learn free courses available?Yes, some Future Learn free courses with certificates are available for students. On the other hand, you must purchase their subscription to enroll in different courses.
Future learning schools and colleges provide thousands of free courses to help students in their educational experiences. Students had the opportunity to study alongside other students and with knowledgeable teachers.
These carefully selected collections of online courses will help you find a new interest, learn a subject correctly, or develop into an expert in your industry. By providing creative, it’s technology-driven learning routes, reduce the skills gap and develop internal talent.
Pros:
- Connection with multiple universities
- Authentic certificates
- A well-organized structure
Cons:
- Could become very costly
How to choose an online learning website
Numerous online learning platforms and a wealth of information are available on nearly every subject imaginable. The best part is that once you've gained enough knowledge, you can start monetizing it by creating courses in your unique style. You only need a platform to do it!
There are so many options for online learning, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some platforms are more suited to individual learners, while others are more business-oriented. Depending on your budget, course type, and applicable regulations,you may select a different platform that meets your demands.
3 Things to Think About
Teaching Goals:
First, think about the goals you have in mind. What elements must your course have to provide the ideal learning environment? By defining what you want and expect, you can connect them with your software selection and choose a platform with the required features.
Technology Skills:
Next, consider your technological talents. Some course builders are simple enough for even beginners to use, while others may require more technical knowledge. Ideally, choose a system that is compatible with your current skill set. This allows you to focus on the material you're creating rather than the tools you useto set it up.
Software Budget:
Finally, you'll need to determine a software budget. Some systems are free or low-cost, while others are more expensive. Determine how much you can invest and ensureyour course is financially sustainable.
5 points for using online learning resources for training
Do you want to use online learning platforms to provide high-quality training? Follow these extra tips!
- Include branding elements that help people recognize your material.
- Make the most of your area of expertise to increase your confidence.
- Communicate clearly so that your students can understand what you're saying.
- Give students the chance to interact with the course content.
- To make improvements, get feedback on your training materials from others.
How Effective Is Online Learning?
Allwebsites listed in this roundup use video as their major educational method. Some include interactive quizzes, PDFs, connections to extra resources, and discussion areasso that everyone involved with the subject can benefit from one another's knowledge.
Videos are typically a part of a series, although they can also stand alone. A course may contain several hours of videos, but they are usually divided into sections. The most effective learning websites take time to consider how much content each video contains carefully and in what order Your learning is cumulative in this way. You often add new ideas or concepts to what you've already learned.
When quizzes appear, they can be kept private or shared with an administrator or teacher if your login is part of a corporate account or is linked to a formal class or tutoring. They allow you to track how well you retain new information.
Some websites provide certificates upon completion. Other organizations only sometimes accept them, although they may benefit you in certain situations. For example, if your employer pays for your subscription to a learning website, you can use these certificates to prove that you have used them.
Benefits of Virtual Learning
There are many benefits that virtual learninghas over traditional classroom learning. Here are some of them:
- Learning virtually allows you to study whenever it's most convenient. Because of this, it's the perfect option for adult learners who are currently employed.
- You can participate in any conversation so that others can hear and respond to your arguments.Thisallows students to think more carefully about and reflect on their course materials.
- Because some jobs are virtual by nature, virtual training platforms are perfect for corporate training projects of this kind.
- Because of the digital format, many exams can be scored automatically, sometimes even while the student is learning, as in an online video. This can help repeat information immediately.