Choosing an online learning platform can be stressful in itself simply due to how many there are these days, which is why we decided to write this guide.
We’ll take you through all the things you need to consider with an online learning platform so you can choose the right one for you and your personal goals.
We’ll also shortlist a few options that excel in different areas, from course variety to the expertise you can access.
Let’s jump right into it.
Evaluating The Best Online Learning Platforms
When choosing an online learning platform, it’s crucial to consider things like features, costs, and course offerings.
Given how many possibilities there are with online courses and what knowledge you can learn – everything from advanced physics classes to master herbalism courses and much more – choosing the right online learning platform is super important.
Assessment of Features and Accessibility
Online learning platforms add new features every week, and some of these might work for you, while others can be pretty useless.
If you like certain aspects about learning like watching videos and taking notes or even taking part in quizzes, look for these aspects with an online platform.
Accessibility is also something to keep in mind, although this isn’t as big of an issue as it once was in the past.
As long as you have an internet connection and a device that can handle the course, you should be ready to go. Some online courses are better viewed on a larger screen though, so keep that in mind.
Comparing Costs and Value
The price of an online learning platform depends on a few factors:
- Sales – Lots of online platforms, especially Udemy, offer sales or discounts on their courses frequently. This can be a great time to get a course at significant discount.
- Type of courses – Another factor that affects price is the type of course on offer and how much investment went into producing it. Masterclass, for example, price quite high as they hire celebrities and world-renowned experts.
- Instructors – Similar to the above, expect to pay more for higher quality teachers.
- Type of payment.
Making use of any free trials on offer is the best way to see if the full investment would be worthwhile or not into any particular course.
Diving into Specialized Course Offerings
No matter how specialized the content is that you want to learn, you can bet that there will be an online platform that specializes in exactly what you’re looking for.
Khan Academy, for example, is one of the best online learning platforms for maths and science related subjects.
Masterclass, another super well-known online course platform, excels in hiring celebrities and world experts for its courses.
Don’t settle for a course that isn’t exactly right for you.
Top Picks
Let’s jump into some of our top picks to give you an idea of how they compare and what we like about each one.
Masterclass – Best For Expert Insight
Masterclass is one of the most well known online course platforms, and it’s one of the best for putting together short courses ran by celebrities, athletes, and world-renowned experts.
It gives access to over 150 classes taught by renowned experts in their fields, with prices starting as low as $10 per month for basic access.
Each course averages 20 lessons, with each lesson lasting at least 10 minutes. The platform excels in creative and artistic topics, making it ideal for those seeking inspiration from industry leaders.
Masterclass excels in production value. It isn’t the best for learning as much knowledge as possible, but it’s an experience in itself to take a class by somebody who you might have seen on TV or followed for a long time.
Coursera – Best For Real Degree Knowledge
Coursera is quite unique (although not so much anymore) in that it partners with universities and companies, which allows it to offer highly accredited courses.
This also means you can actually complete certifications, diplomas, and even degrees all through the platform.
This is the main strength of Coursera – you’ll gain access to degree-level knowledge which can be used to progress your career.
Udemy – Best For Course Selection
Udemy is another super well known option.
The main strength of Udemy is the sheer volume of courses you can take.
Udemy allows users to create their own accounts and courses, which has led to them building up more than 250,000 courses.
The benefit of Udemy is that you can find super niche courses taught by people with real experience and passion, and there is usually a sale on which means you can save money while doing so.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing one of the best online learning platforms depends on your individual needs and goals. Whether you’re looking for celebrity-led classes, like those offered by Masterclass, accredited courses through Coursera, or the diverse range of options on Udemy, there’s something out there for everyone. Take advantage of free trials and sales to test out different platforms before committing.
