Online learning is popular in today’s age and has grown tremendously to reach where it is now. As per data provided by eLearning Statistics: 81% of College Students say that eLearning Technology is helping them improve their grades! There are a variety of different platforms providing online learning that can be accessed from anywhere around the world.

Online Learning is vastly different compared to traditional learning. Traditional learning is mostly limited to school and college education. In contrast, Online Learning allows people of all ages to learn and develop knowledge in their needs or interests.

This blog post will discuss the best platforms for online learning and help you identify which platform is suitable for you.

Here’s a breakdown of the discussed topics:

Masterclasses by Renowned Experts

• MasterClass
• LinkedIn Learning
• Outlier.org

Masterclasses by Renowned Experts

• MasterClass
• LinkedIn Learning
• Outlier.org

Online Tutoring Platforms

• Wyzant
• Wiingy
• Varsity Tutors

Revolution Prep

• Language Learning Platforms (Duolingo, Babble, Rosetta Stone)
• Course Marketplace (Udemy, Skillshare)
• Masterclasses by Renowned Experts (MasterClass, LinkedIn Learning, Outlier.org)

Looking for private tutors? Book a Free Trial Lesson and match with top tutors for concepts, homework help and grade improvement on Wiingy today!

Types of Online Learning Platforms

Massive open online courses (MOOCs):

Massive Open Online Courses or MOOCs are platforms that provide unlimited access to learn different courses. Universities and other institutions provide these free or low-cost online courses. Users can pick any number of courses and learn at their own pace. 

The main focus of MOOCs is to create an interactive space for learning at one’s own pace to develop skills naturally. This is supplemented by e-learning tools, videos, and reading materials.

MOOCs began in 2008 when George Siemens and Stephan Downs created the first MOOC called “Connectivism and Connective Knowledge/2008,” or CCK08. 

It was made as a credit course for the University of Manitoba.

There are two kinds of MOOCs:

• cMOOCs: This type of course material is formulated through discussions and collaborations with learners worldwide. The material is not created beforehand.
• xMOOCs: The material is well structured and already created in this type. It follows the conventional approach to learning.

Characteristics of MOOCs:

MOOCs have common characteristics such as:

Use of Web Tools: 

MOOCs offer pre-recorded videos online for users to learn. They also live-stream videos by top instructors and professors to create an interactive virtual learning environment. Such sessions encourage discussions and make a full-fledged online environment. 

Collaborative Learning: 

It encourages users to not just restrict the learnings to themselves but to have discussions and attend Q&As with other users to have conversations and introspect with their learnings.

Assessment and Certification: 

Users are tested on their knowledge. They must take up Multiple Choice Question  Assessments, Exams, and Essays! Upon successful completion, users are certified.

Time Limit:

Courses on MOOCs are stipulated by time. The courses must be completed within the given duration, i.e, the courses are divided into weekly portions for users to pace themselves and complete them within the given time.

Advantages of MOOCs:

• Courses are offered for free or at a low cost.
• It provides access to courses curated by Professors from top schools.
• It allows users to monitor their progress.
• A large number of course options are offered, and users across the world can access them.

Disadvantages of MOOCs:

• Courses on MOOCs are not personalized. 
• Language can act as a barrier because most courses are offered in English.
• Courses on MOOCs are for self-improvement and development. Colleges or Universities don’t offer credit for it.
• Users’ progress must be tracked by themselves, and there’s no supervision.

Best Platform for MOOCs:

Coursera

Coursera is one of the most popular and sought-after platforms. Stanford University Computer Science Professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller founded it. It provides a vast number of Degrees, Certifications, and Specializations to learn online from top Academic Institutions across the world. 

Learning is offered at different levels ranging from College Students to Working Professionals wanting to upskill themselves. The platform, however, gives more importance to courses in the Business and Science fields. 

Coursera collaborates with more than 300+ universities, such as Stanford, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Imperial College of London. It also collaborates with companies like Google, IBM, and other leading companies. 

Coursera guarantees the qualifications of its Instructors because it only partners with Professors and Academic Professionals from prestigious universities and institutions.The best part of Coursera is that its certified courses are recognized by many companies and institutions, thereby providing certification value as well as skill development and knowledge gained. 

edX

edX is a large MOOC platform created by Harvard and MIT! It focuses on providing more than 4000+ courses at the university level in different specializations. It ranges from Humanities, Architecture, Medicine, Science, Languages, Business, etc. 

Courses offered on edX consist of graded assignments and provide highly recognized certificates of completion. This is because the courses are created by well-established academic institutions such as Berkeley, Boston University, University of Cambridge, and more.

Since edX tries to replicate formal education in the virtual environment, it mostly focuses on the university level. It offers flexibility so that students can learn it at their own pace. 

edX provides both free courses and paid courses as well. The paid courses are priced between $50 to $300. It offers financial aid to those who require it.

Udacity

Udacity is the brainchild of Stanford Instructors Sebastian Thrun and Peter Norvig. They wanted to offer their “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence” course online—to anyone, for free. The platform specializes in providing up-skilling for different areas of Technology.

It collaborates with big companies like Google and Amazon Web Services.

The courses on Udacity are called Nanodegrees. It involves hands-on learning by providing the users to apply their knowledge practically. 

Apart from Nanodegrees, Udacity also offers its users services such as Resume and Cover Letter reviews!

Masterclasses by Renowned Experts:

Masterclass courses are taught in high-quality video lessons by established and famous experts. Each class is divided into ten to fifteen video courses, each lasting roughly ten to twelve minutes. 

Masterclass is a comprehensive online experience that allows anybody to learn from the world’s top professionals. The professional designs each program containing significant pre-recorded video content, an instructor’s guide, and engaging assignments.

The classes are paid since MasterClasses are top-notch courses created and taught by renowned experts. 

Masterclasses are recommended for both beginners and professionals!

Characteristics of a MasterClass:

Taught by Experts:

The Instructors who curate and teach the course are specialists in their respective fields. Because of the abundance of knowledge and experience acquired in the relevant areas, MasterClasses are only offered by experts who can vouch for their quality.

Short videos focusing on a concept:

Each video focuses on a specific topic that is explained part by part. The videos are short as well.

Microlearning Approach:

It focuses on effectively delivering knowledge in short videos to focus on the niche topic. Each short video covers a portion of the broader topic. This allows the learners to learn in-depth.

Advantages of Masterclasses:

• Master classes are taught by highly experienced instructors who have acquired in-depth knowledge. 
• Exceptional video quality on the platforms!

Disadvantages of MasterClasses:

• Free trials may not be available.
• No interaction with the Instructors because the videos are pre-recorded.

MasterClass

MasterClass is an online education subscription platform that allows users to stream pre-recorded tutorials and lectures. These tutorials and lessons are created primarily by highly qualified experts in different fields. 

MasterClass was founded by David Rogier, a student at Stanford, and launched in 2015! What sets MasterClass apart from other platforms is the quality of its instructors. Each MaserClass course is created by distinguished professionals in different fields. 

Examples of some courses created by such professionals are Christina Aguilera, Gordon Ramsay, and Malcolm Gladwell, to name a few.

MasterClass courses consist of around 25 videos, ranging from 3-15 min each. Additionally, each course provides downloadable worksheets and reading lists for users. 

LinkedIn Learning

Previously known as Lynda.com, LinkedIn Learning is now a subsidiary of LinkedIn. It is an online learning platform that provides video courses taught by industry experts in software, business, and creative fields. 

The feature that sets LinkedIn Learning apart from other learning platforms is that it adds 50 new courses every week to its library. The courses are also taught in 7 different languages. 

The platform provides excellent features like Course Management and Course Tracking. 

LinkedIn Learning is highly recommended for professionals who want to sharpen their existing skills or want to get a jump in their career journey. It can also be used by students who are looking to set foot in the working world.

Outlier.org

Outlier.org is an innovative online education platform that offers high-quality, university-level courses to students around the world. With a mission to make education more accessible and affordable, Outlier.org collaborates with prestigious institutions and renowned professors. It creates engaging and rigorous courses in subjects like mathematics, computer science, psychology, and more. 

The platform stands out for its interactive video content, which combines concise lectures with visualizations and real-world examples, providing an immersive learning experience. Furthermore, Outlier.org’s courses are designed to be self-paced, allowing students to study at their convenience while still receiving personalized feedback and support.

Online Tutoring Platforms

Online Tutoring Platforms have a wide range of personalized tutoring and educational resources. These platforms provide an online environment for students to gain access to tutors, 1-on-1 or small group learning, and study resources. 

Apart from this, students benefit from factors provided through online learning, such as the flexibility to learn from anywhere at any time! It makes learning more accessible than ever through Technology, especially when they need private tutoring. 

Characteristics of Online Tutoring Platforms:

Cost and Payment:

Online tutoring platforms charge either per session or through subscription plans! 

Tutor Service or Tutor Marketplace:

An online tutoring platform can either be a service where the tutors are assigned to you based on your needs or a Marketplace where you select a tutor of your choice.

App:

Most online tutoring platforms these days have apps in addition to websites. This allows users to get easy access to the platform’s features.

Subjects and Categories offered:

A large variety of subjects are offered in categories for students to get help in innumerable subjects.

 Learning Tools:

Tutoring sessions are supported by learning tools used to provide the best online learning experience, such as virtual classrooms, whiteboards, learning materials, etc.

Qualifications of the Tutor:

Most Tutors on these platforms have high educational qualifications and expert knowledge of the subjects. 

Advantages of Online Tutoring Platforms:     

Flexibility:

It provides flexibility and convenience for students to join in from anywhere at any time. Students don’t have to travel to attend tutoring sessions in person at a tutoring center.

A vast network of Tutors: 

Online tutoring platforms offer students and parents a vast network of tutors to choose from anywhere around the world. It doesn’t restrict it to a local area. Users get several options to choose from.

Instant help:

When users need instant help with homework or tests due the next day, online tutoring platforms provide assistance immediately. On the other hand, offline tutoring doesn’t provide that kind of convenience.

Disadvantages of Online Tutoring Platforms:

Expensive:

Since Online tutoring is either charged per session or through subscription plans, it can get expensive for a session and exceed your budget. You may also require additional equipment to support your online tutoring experience.

Technology:

Students require a stable internet connection to follow through the entire session without interruptions. If you don’t have a stable internet connection, it could lead to frequent follow-ups or missing out on certain bits of information shared during the session.

Best platforms for Online Tutoring 

Wyzant

Overview: 

With most of the services being online these days, Wyzant offers both online as well as offline tutoring! Wyzant has more than 65,000 vetted tutors onboarded to help students out in 300 different subjects! 

Finding a tutor is fairly simple. All you have to do is let the service provider know the areas you’re struggling with. Then you can find the tutor that fits your needs and get started! And you only need to pay on an hourly basis for the session.

There are a lot of courses that have already been maintained on the website, so before hiring a tutor, students may review courses and take a test to identify their weak areas. 

Key Features:  

• The tutor search tool lets users search according to their needs, and the results are customized accordingly, too. The best tutors are shown according to the search results and requirements.
• Users can get in touch with the tutors directly via in-message. 
• A large network of tutors is available to select from.

Tutor Service/ Tutor Marketplace: Tutor Marketplace

Target Group: Elementary School – High School Students, College Students, 

Subjects Offered: 

• Algebra
• Calculus
• Chemistry
• Computer
• Elementary
• English
• Geometry
• Language
• Math
• Music
• Physics
• Reading
• SAT
• Science
• Spanish
• Statistics
• Test Prep
• Writing

Pricing and Value for Money: Tutors set their prices. It can range from just $20 per hour and can go up to $500 per hour (as per recent findings). 

Pros: 

• The pricing on Wyzant differs because the tutors can set up their own prices.
• Users can select any tutor and set up sessions with them because Wyzant is a Tutor Marketplace.

Cons: 

• The expertise of the tutor isn’t guaranteed. Academic qualifications vary from tutor to tutor.
• The tutors don’t go through any training before getting on board as a tutor on the platform.

Wiingy

Overview: 

Wiingy is a leading online tutoring service that provides tailored and private 1-on-1 sessions with tutors! It has an extensive network of highly qualified, verified, and experienced tutors for coding, math, science, AP, and 100+ subjects on its platform. Wiingy is highly selective with the tutors it works with. You can find private tutors for online tutoring, homework help, test prep, assignment help, language learning, and homeschool tutoring on the Wiingy platform.

Tutors on Wiingy are chosen via a rigorous selection process with an onboarding rate of less than 3%.  

Students and parents have consistently rated Wiingy’s tutoring experience as 4.8/5 and above!

Key Features:  

• Get 1-on-1 online assistance: You can get help with Concepts, exam prep, Assignments, Homework Help, and Standardized Test Prep.
• Book a Free Trial Lesson: Choose your level – School, College, or Adult to help the platform match you with the right tutor for you.
• Instant chat: Set up 1-on-1 lessons for Coding, Math, Science, AP, and 50+ other subjects through the chat feature

Tutor Service/ Tutor Marketplace: Tutoring Service

Target Group: Elementary School – High School Students, College Students, Adults

Subjects Offered:

• Coding Languages
• Web Development
• Database Design & Development
• Data Science
• Application Development
• Misc
• Math
• AP Math
• AP Physics
• AP Computer Science
• AP Chemistry
• AP Biology
• AP Physics
• ACT
• SAT
• AP
• Organic Chemistry
• Physics 
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Architecture
• SolidWorks
• Microsoft Excel
• Unreal Engine
• Revit 

Pricing and Value for money:

Lessons start at $28 per hour. Given the quality of service, it is much more affordable than other platforms.

Pros: 

• Perfect Match guarantees to match students with the most compatible tutor for their needs. If the student is not satisfied with the tutor, another tutor is assigned free of cost in the next session.
• You can pay per session! No long-term commitment or subscription plan.
• An academic advisor is assigned to every learner to assist them.
• Wiingy provides free web tutorials to read at your own pace.
• Offers free trial session.

Cons: 

• Some students prefer to shortlist and work with tutors directly, which is not feasible on the Wiingy platform.

Varsity Tutors 

Overview: 

Varsity Tutors offers tutoring for 70+ subjects, including test prep and certification. Through the app provided by Varsity Tutors, students can access Live classes, Instant tutoring, and Tutor Chat for prompt homework help, Self-Study, and assessments with standards-based tools, practice problems, and instructional videos! 

To get started on your first tutoring session, you can go through the sample tutor profiles and place a request with Varsity Tutors, and they will assign a tutor for you.

Key Features: 

Varsity Tutors offers membership plans which contain several features. When you buy a membership plan on Varsity Tutors, it includes the following:

• 1-on-1 tutoring provides a personalized experience
• Unlimited learning through assessments and practice
• Instant help via 24/7 tutor chat and AI tutor support
• Flexibility to customize membership
• The app’s chat feature lets you chat with tutors directly and upload homework photos.
• The platform has a virtual whiteboard for a dynamic learning environment.
• You can schedule tutoring hours and appointments.

Tutor Service/ Tutor Marketplace: Tutoring Service

Target Group: School students and College students

Subjects Offered: 

• Act prep
• AP prep
• GRE prep
• SAT prep
• LSAT prep
• Math ( including Statistics, Trigonometry, Calculus, Geometry, and Algebra)
• Science (including Biology, Chemistry, Human Anatomy, and Physics)
• Computer Science
• Common Core Subjects
• And other topics

User-Friendly and Navigation: 

Users often complain about technical errors on the platform on the review websites.

Pricing and Value for Money: 

Pricing is set by Varsity Tutors. The average price range is $73/hr to $95/hr (as per recent findings).

Pros:

• With Varsity Tutors’ “Better Score Guarantee” policy, students can claim a full refund if their test scores don’t improve.
• Learners can chat with an AI tutor 24/7, and if they need more help, they can click a button to connect with a live human tutor. AI-enabled chat Tutoring also uses generative AI to pre-generate lesson plans, including practice problems, so learners can get started immediately.
• Offers tailored homework assignment sessions, which are highly recommended.

Cons: 

• The service does not provide tutor materials, training, or any modules to the tutors. It entirely depends on the tutor and how they decide to implement the tutoring session.
• There is no guarantee that the tutor you would want to go ahead with might not be assigned to you.

Revolution Prep

Overview: 

Revolution Prep App enables learners to get online tutoring in groups or 1-on-1 sessions, on-demand prep videos, and assignment assistance. Unlike other platforms where tutors freelance, the tutors on Revolution Prep work full-time with the company. Further, the tutors receive over 150 hours of training and development each year.

The company maintains a “growth mindset” philosophy that focuses on improving children’s achievements and confidence while increasing their interest in the topic in a low-pressure setting.

Key Features:  

• On-demand live chat and video assistance with tutors.
• Whiteboard feature to upload photos or draw.
• Free SAT & ACT practice tests.
• Self-proctoring is available with a timer and audio cues. 

Tutor Service/ Tutor Marketplace: Tutoring Service

Target Group: Elementary School Students, Middle School Students, High School Students

Subjects Offered: 

• Math
• Science
• English
• Foreign Language
• History
• Social Science
• Computer Science
• SAT
• ACT
• PSAT

Pricing and Value for money (as per recent findings): 

• The Tutoring plan is priced at $199 for 5 hours [~$40 per hour]. It consists of up to 3 students in one session.  
• The group test plan is priced at $499 for 12 hours [~$42 per hour]. This plan consists of up to 8 students in one session.
• Private tutoring is priced at $1398 for 12 hours. [~$116 per hour]. This plan is completely a 1-on-1 session with the tutor. You get tailored sessions in this plan. 

Pros: 

• The tutors are full-time professionals at Revolution Prep.
• Live tutoring, on-demand videos, and drop-in options are available.

Cons:

• Private tutoring is expensive and costs around $116 per hour. It requires a minimum purchase of 5+ hours.

Language Learning Platforms

Language Learning Platforms specifically cater to learning assistance in several languages. Such platforms can be used by people who’d like to learn a new language out of curiosity or if they’ve enrolled in a course at college!

From daily words and pronunciation to cultural intricacies, one can learn everything one needs to know to hold real-world conversations. The platforms are also popular to learn at one’s own pace. 

Learning a language requires numerous abilities rather than just one. Aside from the ‘basic skills like reading, writing, listening, and speaking, abilities such as phonetic memory, vocabulary retention, and grammatical problem-solving are also required.

Language Learning Platforms are different from traditional learning because they combine various fun teaching techniques to ensure effective learning through games, quizzes, and more.

Characteristics of Language Learning Platforms: 

Language learning platforms typically possess several key characteristics that contribute to their effectiveness and appeal to learners. Here are some common characteristics:

Comprehensive Course Content: 

Language learning platforms offer a wide range of courses covering various levels of proficiency, from beginner to advanced. They provide comprehensive content that includes grammar lessons, vocabulary-building exercises, speaking practice, listening comprehension exercises, reading materials, and writing assignments.

Interactive and Engaging: 

These platforms employ interactive and engaging learning materials to keep learners motivated and immersed in the language. They may incorporate multimedia elements like videos, audio recordings, interactive quizzes, and games to make learning more enjoyable and interactive.

Personalization and Adaptive Learning: 

They may use algorithms to assess learners’ strengths and weaknesses and tailor the content accordingly, providing targeted practice exercises and recommendations for improvement.

Language Skills Development: 

Effective platforms focus on developing all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. They provide ample opportunities for learners to practice each skill through exercises, dialogues, role-plays, and interactive conversations with native speakers or other learners.

Advantages of Language Learning Platforms:

• Accessible:
  
  Learning a language online is accessible because it provides a learning opportunity to people from anywhere without having the need to look out for in-person tutors, which may not be available. 
• Highly recommended for beginners:
  
  If you’ve just moved to a new country and need help in daily communication, online language learning platforms are highly recommended for beginners to get started. It helps to build the foundation.
• Self-paced:
  
  You can learn it at your own pace, making it flexible for you to do it as per your schedule. This is particularly helpful when you’re balancing a job or studies.

Disadvantages of Language Learning Platforms:

• Direct communication may not be available: The inability to communicate directly with teachers and native speakers of a foreign language may hamper a person’s understanding of how the language is truly spoken.
• Difficulty in clearing doubts: You may need more time to clarify doubts while learning a new language online. This can be a disadvantage because it may prevent you from further understanding the rest of the lessons. This would lead to your learning process needing to grow.

Best Platforms for Language Learning

Duolingo

Founded by Luis Von Ahn, Duolingo is excellent for languages. It’s compatible with all major platforms and works well on mobile devices. There are over 30 languages to pick from, and you may study as many as you want for free. It is ideal for students at the beginning and intermediate levels. 

The app is free to use, and its paid version removes ads, making learning easier without the pop-ups!

The material is excellent, and the app’s design allows you to pick up and practice for a few minutes every day or move in for extended study sessions. The app also provides excellent podcasts for users to tune into and make their learning process dynamic.

Babbel 

The Founder of Babbel, Allen Stoltzfus, wanted to find an effective way to learn a language and hence set out to develop Babbel in 1992. Babbel offers web platforms as well as mobile apps to let you learn and practice a new language at your own speed. The interactive tasks are more difficult than what most other language apps provide. Babbel teaches you concepts, words, and phrases specific to the language.

This platform’s course is challenging, so if you find most language learning applications to be too easy or slow, Babbel is more competitive.

Babble follows a unique approach to teaching languages created by curriculum experts. The platform teaches languages by taking into consideration your native language and the language you wish to learn. They teach you by accounting for the similarities and differences between both languages.

The platform has more than 13,000 hours of content, and 50,000 lessons spread across 14 languages. 

Rosetta Stone

Rosetta Stone, which was first introduced as a CD-based program in 1993, is one of the most well-known language study programs. It offers more than 30 languages. Because of its popularity and training technique, the program is frequently regarded as having top-notch standards.

Rosetta Stone excels in creating a stimulating language learning experience as well. Its courses skip translation tasks in favor of teaching vocabulary and grammar using visuals, text, and sound. In addition, the precision of its unique voice recognition technology aids students in learning how to talk like locals.

Advantages of Language Learning Platforms:

Wide Range of Options:
Course marketplaces offer a vast selection of courses from various providers, giving learners access to a diverse range of subjects and topics. This allows learners to explore their interests, pursue specific learning goals, and discover new areas of knowledge.

Convenience and Accessibility:
Course marketplaces provide a convenient and accessible platform for learners to access courses anytime and anywhere with an Internet connection. Learners can study at their own pace, fitting their education around their schedule and personal commitments.

Cost-Effective Options:
Course marketplaces often feature both free and paid courses, allowing learners to find options that fit their budgets. This makes education more accessible and affordable, particularly for those who may not have access to traditional educational institutions.

Disadvantages of Course Marketplaces:

Quality and Credibility Concerns:
With a wide range of course providers in a marketplace, the quality and credibility of courses can vary. Some courses may be of lower quality or taught by instructors without proper qualifications. Learners need to be cautious and conduct research before enrolling in a course.

Lack of Personalized Support:
They generally need more personalized support than a traditional classroom setting or dedicated instructor can offer. Learners may not receive individualized attention or feedback on their progress.

Limited Interaction and Networking Opportunities:
Course marketplaces primarily focus on individual learning, which means there may be limited opportunities for interaction and networking with fellow learners or instructors. This can reduce collaborative learning experiences and the ability to build professional networks.

Reliance on Self-Motivation and Discipline:
Learning through a course marketplace requires self-motivation and discipline. Learners need to stay motivated and manage their time effectively to complete

Course Marketplace:

A course marketplace is an online platform that connects learners with a wide variety of educational courses from different providers. Course marketplaces offer a diverse range of subjects, such as academic subjects, professional skills, personal development, and hobbies. 

These marketplaces provide learners with the convenience of accessing courses from various reputable providers in one place, often offering features such as user reviews, course ratings, and detailed course descriptions to help learners make informed decisions. 

Characteristics of Language Learning Platforms: 

Here are some common characteristics of course marketplaces:

Variety of Courses:
Course marketplaces offer a wide range of courses spanning different subjects, disciplines, and levels of expertise. They cater to diverse learning needs and interests, including academic subjects, professional skills, personal development, and hobbies.

Multiple Providers:
Course marketplaces collaborate with various course providers, including educational institutions, universities, individual instructors, and industry professionals. This allows learners to access courses from different sources, each bringing their unique expertise and teaching style to the platform.

User-Friendly Interface:
A course marketplace typically provides a user-friendly interface that facilitates easy navigation and course discovery. Learners can search for courses based on keywords, categories, levels, or specific providers. The interface often includes filters, sorting options, and detailed course descriptions to help learners make informed decisions.

Reviews and Ratings:
Course marketplaces often incorporate a feedback system where learners can leave reviews and ratings for their completed courses. These reviews offer insights into the course quality, instructor effectiveness, and overall learning experience. Learners can leverage this.

Udemy

Udemy is the world’s largest online learning platform, with over 210,000 affordable online courses available for consumers to gain new skills or enhance existing ones. It provides a vast range of groups and subgroups ranging from Business, Personal Development, Design, Copywriting, and plenty more. Udemy’s courses are developed and delivered by independent instructors. Users can pay for each course individually or as part of a customized subscription plan and get started. 

Its courses range from basic to experienced levels for users to find the one that meets their needs. Individual courses purchased on Udemy provide lifelong access and a 30-day refund period.

Skillshare

Skillshare is an online learning platform with over 340,000 lessons in areas such as animation, drawing, music, photography, etc. The platform has a subscription-based approach. This allows customers to have limitless access to the platform.

Skillshare is an excellent platform for creative individuals, entrepreneurs, and those seeking to learn new skills to broaden their knowledge in creative fields. Skillshare provides a network for users. The users are encouraged to participate and support one another through criticism or by sharing their final work with their peers. 

How to choose the right learning platform?

Online learning platforms have brought out several benefits, such as providing access to people everywhere and ensuring flexibility. There’s no denying that online learning offers what traditional education can’t. But what distinguishes one platform from another, and how do you choose the right learning platform?

Consider your level and need:

While choosing an online learning platform, it’s important to find out the different levels of learning offered on it. You may be at beginner, intermediate, or advanced level. If you’re looking for an intermediate and the platform doesn’t provide courses at your level, there’s no point in trying to learn on the said platform. Ensure that the online platform targets audiences of all levels!

The purpose is to ensure the platform meets your needs efficiently and you’re able to develop a skill set or gain impressive knowledge by the end of it.

Consider your budget: 

While choosing an online platform to learn, you must make sure to consider the budget! Some platforms provide innumerable courses and skills free of cost! You can get access to unlimited courses and start learning. However, the drawback of such courses is that apart from gaining knowledge, the certificates may not be recognized by institutions and companies.

On the other hand, online learning platforms that charge for access to courses provide certification upon completion, which is highly acceptable. The sole reason is due to the fact that such courses were created by instructors from prestigious universities and collaborations with big companies.

Make sure to take up a course that fits your budget well!

Consider the platform’s features:

Every learner who decides to take up online learning hopes that it will offer something significantly better than traditional learning. Different learning platforms must provide tools and other assistance to make the learning process seamless.

Consider the platform’s features and what it offers! 

This can be:

• Virtual Whiteboard
• In-message feature to communicate with Instructors
• Video hosting
• User-friendly and intuitive learner interface
• Variety of courses spanning several categories
• Effective administration
• App

Other learning tools

Read reviews:

What better way to know the legitimacy and experience of a platform than reading their reviews? Once you have a few platforms in mind, read reviews from other learners. This helps to choose a learning platform that will meet your needs by laying down the pros and cons of each platform to compare. It will enable you to choose the one that fits your needs accordingly!

Looking for private tutors? Book a Free Trial Lesson and match with top tutors for concepts, homework help and grade improvement on Wiingy today!

Conclusion

The world of online learning has revolutionized education, and the best online learning platforms have become invaluable resources for individuals seeking to expand their knowledge and skills. These platforms offer a wide range of courses, expert instructors, and flexible learning options that cater to diverse needs and interests.

With engaging content and personalized learning experiences, they provide an accessible and convenient pathway to acquiring new skills and advancing in various fields. Whether you’re a professional looking to upskill, a student aiming to get help with education, or someone pursuing personal interests, the best online learning platforms are here to unlock your potential.