Top 7 E-Learning Platforms You Should Know

Introduction

 

Online learning has changed the face of modern education dramatically in the last few years. Did you know that online learning is far less expensive, more effective, and less time consuming than traditional education? That explains why an increasing number of people are opting to learn online.

 

There's nothing quite like taking charge of your academic life and learning at your own pace without feeling like you're being shot at. And there is no better or more convenient method to accomplish so than by enrolling in online programmes.

 

Educators and trainers may easily manage online courses using the best online learning platforms.

 

Learning Management Systems (LMS) and Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) have become increasingly popular, especially as a result of the pandemic's forced educational adjustments.

 

While face-to-face learning has its place, digital learning and courses are becoming increasingly popular. For businesses, this means being able to reach people from a distance, while for educators, it means being able to reach people from a distance.

 

When learning takes place in a remote location, online learning platforms come to the fore, as educational platforms make the most of modern technology. That's not to imply traditional education is going away, but academic institutions and corporations have realised that we can accomplish a lot more with technology, such as smartphones and other internet-connected gadgets that allow us to learn from anywhere.

 

In this Blog we are going to talk about the top E-learning platforms out there. But before proceeding, we will look at what an E-learning platform is.

 

 

What is an E-Learning Platform?

 

A learning platform, like any other online platform, is a webspace or portal featuring a wealth of instructional information and resources. The content of this course can be broken down into numerous sections or subjects. Depending on the college you're enrolled with, it's usually uploaded on the platform by the course instructor or teacher.

 

An e-learning platform's access might be restricted by membership (only those who have registered can use it), or it can be open to everyone who wants to learn.

 

Students and teachers may both follow their progress through the course material using an online course platform, and everything is nicely organised in one location. Students may also have the option of communicating with one another using the platform.

 

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Types of E-Learning Platform

 

1. Learning Destination Sites

 

Learning Destination Sites (LDS) are websites where a variety of course designers sell their learning materials. It's similar to Amazon, but for online learning. 

 

You can sign up for an individual course based on your preferences and choose the topics and instructors that appeal to you. Typically, self-paced programmes are available through an LDS.

 

2. Learning Management Systems

 

Learning Management Systems (LMS) are pieces of software that are utilised internally within a company or institution. Depending on the kind of courses offered, each school or institution may use a different LMS platform (the most popular probably being Blackboard). It can be accessible online, similar to an LDS, or as a computer application that you must download and install.

 

 

3. Learning Management Ecosystems

 

A learning ecosystem is a comprehensive online learning tool that includes adaptive learning engines, learning content management capabilities, course authoring software, assessment tools, and other software solutions. Vast businesses, colleges, or universities that offer a large number of online degree programmes and learning resources are typically designated as LMEs.

 

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Now, let us look at the top E-learning platforms out there in the market.

 

Top E-Learning platforms

 

These are the top e-learning platforms out there:

 

1. Skillshare

 

Skillshare is one of the most popular online learning platforms. It offers over 27,000 classes organised into three categories: Thrive (Lifestyle, Productivity), Build (Business Analytics, Freelance & Entrepreneurship, Leadership & Management, Marketing), and Create (Creative Writing) (Animation, Film & Video, Graphic Design, Music, Creative Writing, Photography, Web Development, and more).

 

Skillshare promotes a project-based learning strategy that encourages students to broaden their creativity and apply new abilities in real-life situations. All courses are divided into two parts: a video presentation (typically 20-60 minutes long) and a class project.

 

Keep in mind that, while Skillshare has a lot of great courses, none of them are accredited by any institution, and Skillshare does not provide completion certificates. It's not a place to receive a degree, but it is a place to learn new skills and broaden your knowledge.

 

The Premium Membership at Skillshare gives you unrestricted access to all of the library's classes. You can also take part in Skillshare Live Sessions and Workshops, which are delivered by prominent instructors. All of the library's classes are accessible for download, so you may keep learning even if you don't have access to the Internet.

 

In general, Skillshare provides excellent value for money. The monthly fee is relatively reasonable, and the classes are of good quality and variety. You can also take advantage of a 30-day free trial to see if the platform is perfect for you.

 

2. Coursera

 

Coursera is an online learning platform where you can take university-level courses and earn certifications. Instructors from renowned companies and colleges such as Stanford, Yale, and Princeton teach the courses.

 

Individual courses range in price from $29 to $99. However, thousands of courses provide an Audit option, which allows you to study the course for free. You will not receive graded assignments, a certificate, or additional materials if you choose to audit the course. Video lectures, assignments, reading materials, quizzes, projects, and group discussions are common in most courses.

 

English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Portuguese, Arabic, French, German, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, and more languages are accessible. Arts and Humanities, Business, Computer Science, Data Science, Information Technology, Health, Maths and Logic, and Personal Development are some of the themes covered in the courses. The duration of each course is 4-6 weeks.

 

You can enrol in a Specialisation if you wish to master a specific talent. A Specialisation is a set of online courses that take 4-6 months to finish. You will receive a Certificate for completing the Specialisation, which you can use on your CV. When you start your first membership, you get a 7-day free trial to test out a Specialisation.

 

3. Udemy

 

Udemy is another famous online learning portal. It offers a massive library of over 150,000 courses, making it the most comprehensive in terms of material. Udemy allows you to broaden your knowledge and abilities in a variety of fields, including business and marketing, hand weaving, and clowning. Udemy's mission is to upend and democratise the educational system.

 

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Udemy, unlike Skillshare, MasterClass, and LinkedIn Learning, does not offer limitless membership plans; instead, you must pay each course separately, which is a major drawback. The classes, on the other hand, are quite affordable, starting at just $9. You can also receive a refund if you don't like a course you bought within 30 days.

 

Finance & Accounting, Development, Business, Marketing, IT & Software, Office Productivity, Music, Personal Development, Teaching & Academics, Design, Lifestyle, Photography, and Health & Fitness are among Udemy's 13 categories. There are courses for beginners, intermediates, and advanced students. One thing I really like is that there are classes accessible in Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, German, and Spanish, among other languages.

 

Although Udemy is not a recognised educational institution, you will receive a certificate of completion after completing a paid course. Each Udemy course includes video teaching (the average course lasts 5 hours, although some are as short as 30 minutes) as well as extra resources such as quizzes, practise tests, coding exercises, and assignments. Any Udemy course can be downloaded and viewed offline at any time.

 

4. Edx

 

edX is one of the greatest online college-level course providers. The company was founded by Harvard and MIT, and the courses are of excellent quality. With the exception of professional education courses, all edX courses are free to take.

 

You must enrol on the Audit Track in order to participate in the course without paying. For the duration of the course, students on the Free (Audit) Track get access to all course materials, including lectures, videos, ungraded assignments, and reading. 

 

You will not, however, receive graded assignments or certified completion certificates. You must enrol in the Paid (Verified) Track if you wish to gain access to graded assignments and receive a certificate upon completion.

 

You can include the certificate in your résumé or LinkedIn profile. You will have the option to convert to the Verified Track if you enrol in the Audit Track but later decide that you wish to acquire the certificate. Make sure you check the upgrading deadlines for each course beforehand.

 

Biology & Life Sciences, Architecture, Chemistry, Art & Culture, Electronics, Education & Teacher Training, Medicine, Food & Nutrition, Physics, Science, Music, Law, History, Language, and Environmental Studies are among the subjects covered by edX. 

 

The majority of the courses are in English, but there are also some in Chinese, Russian, French, Italian, Spanish, and other languages. There are classes available for beginners, intermediates, and advanced students. Text and video content, as well as homework, are frequently included in the courses. You can also ask questions and participate with other students during class sessions. Group projects are part of some curricula. Any edX course can be downloaded and viewed offline.

 

MicroMasters programmes, which are essentially a series of graduate-level courses from prominent colleges, are also available through edX. Some universities will give you credit for completing the MicroMasters programme. The programmes are not free, although they rarely cost more than $1,500 and take anywhere from 7 to 12 months to finish. If you're thinking about going to graduate school, you can also look at edX's online Master's Degrees.

 

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5. FutureLearn

 

Futurelearn is an online education portal with hundreds of courses from top universities across the world. The majority of courses are free to audit, however you can only access course tests and receive a Statement of Participation or Certificate of Achievement if you upgrade to a paid course. For $249,99 each year, you may get an unlimited subscription that gives you access to over 600 short courses.

 

Video and audio content, reading materials, and short quizzes are all included in most courses. All kids are welcome to ask questions and debate subjects with their professors and peers. Some courses include assignments, and if your course has been improved, you will also be able to take tests.

 

Futurelearn also offers paid Premium courses in addition to free ones. Premium courses are ideal for those who wish to learn in a small group and want to develop their careers. IT and digital skills, business and management, teaching, and healthcare are among the premium courses available.

 

Futurelearn also offers 21 Microcredentials for earning academic credit and upskilling your work. They are completely approved and take between 100 and 150 hours to complete over the course of 10 to 12 weeks. 

 

Here are a few of the Microcredentials that are currently available: Change Management, Cyber Security Operations (Cisco CCNA), Data Science: Data-Driven Decision Making, Digital Photography: Creating a Professional Portfolio, Impact of Trauma on Mental Health, Online Teaching: Creating Courses for Adult Learners, Sports Coaching, Teacher Training: Embedding Mental Health in the Curriculum, Veterinary Practitioners and the Food Supply Chain, and Veterinary Practitioners and the Food Supply Chain.

 

6. Teachable

 

Teachable is a user-friendly platform. It's also one of the most cost-effective platforms on which to develop your course today. Themes, pages, and email content can all be customised. You can also create custom code sections to meet any sophisticated coding needs you might have. Teachable's ease of use is complemented by robust reporting capabilities. You can also create a website and blog, as well as use one of the 100+ third-party connectors.

 

Teachable stands out because of its built-in email marketing tool, which is a terrific way to promote your online lessons and share your contents with your email list. However, for greater outcomes, you should invest in a dedicated email marketing automation tool if you're serious about raising your course awareness and collecting vital information.

 

Aside from that, Teachable customers can create an unlimited number of courses without paying extra, which is a helpful feature if you want to develop the world's largest online school.

 

Overall, Teachable will allow you to develop and advertise an endless number of courses without any technological experience.

 

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7. Podia

 

Podia is one of the most popular online course platforms, making it simple to create and sell online courses, memberships, and other digital items.

 

Work makers and artists who wish to monetise their content and knowledge through simple learning exercises and gated films would love the tool. Also noteworthy is that the application supports 11 languages and 22 currencies, allowing your courses to be accessed by anybody.

 

Podia also has a large library of resources and free tools for entrepreneurs who want to start an online store, school, or website. Website building is also feasible, allowing users to add pages to their website that are relevant to their target audience, such as an about page or a contact page.

 

Overall, Podia is a fantastic tool for producing and sharing lesson content, but it has a lot of limitations. As a result, the platform is solely ideal for video-based learning, coaching, and downloadables.

 

Conclusion

 

The future of education is remote learning platforms. Even once the global health crisis has passed, there will undoubtedly be a surge of students seeking self-paced online training to advance their skills and careers.

 

One of the biggest benefits of online learning is that you can learn anything! You have the option of continuing your academic career or studying something completely different. You can work on your soft skills or enrol in art or music production classes that you've always wanted to take.