My Top 6 E-Learning Platforms

With the advent of e-learning platforms, it has become easier to upskill and transition into a completely different field. I am actively studying online and have explored various learning platforms to enhance my knowledge and skills.  In this post, I will be sharing my experiences and insights about some of my favourite ones: Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, Udacity, edX, A Cloud Guru, and Codecademy.

Coursera

Coursera is a widely recognized online learning platform that offers a broad range of courses in collaboration with prestigious universities and institutions. What I love about Coursera is its diverse course catalogue, which covers both theoretical and practical aspects of courses. The platform provides high-quality video lectures, quizzes, assignments, and discussion forums, allowing learners to engage with each other. At the end of each course, learners earn industry-recognized certifications. This adds credibility to the acquired knowledge, which can be advantageous while entering the job market.

A financial aid option exists for some paid courses on the platform (I love the Google professional certification ones). The application process is straightforward and takes a few weeks to get approved. It is one way to get a professional certification that can boost your resume if you cannot afford the tuition.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning, formerly known as Lynda.com, is an excellent platform for professionals looking to upskill or switch careers. Its integration with the LinkedIn network sets it apart, enabling users to showcase their completed courses and certifications on their profiles. This feature can help individuals transitioning into any field to gain visibility and connect with potential employers. The platform offers a vast library of courses.

With a premium subscription, payment for the courses is covered but you can still vet the paid courses without a subscription. After vetting a paid course, you might be able to watch the full course videos for free, within 24 hours. However, you do not get a certificate of completion.

Udacity

Udacity focuses on providing nanodegree programs and courses developed in collaboration with industry experts. This e-learning platform stands out due to its hands-on approach, as it offers real-world projects that allow learners to apply their knowledge and build a portfolio of practical work. The nanodegree programs offered by Udacity are especially valuable for individuals in technology and business. The programs provide comprehensive and structured learning paths to develop necessary skills for any chosen career.

Its nanodegree programs start at $399/month, but occasionally, they partner with other organisations to provide scholarships for learners. There are over 200 free courses on the platform, which can cover some or most of any nanodegree curriculum.

edX

edX is a non-profit learning platform that partners with leading universities and organisations to offer courses in various disciplines. What I find appealing about edX is its commitment to providing quality education. The platform offers a wide range of courses for data analytics, coding, digital marketing, and so on. edX also allows users to audit courses for free, providing access to course materials and lectures, making it an ideal platform for anyone on a budget.

This is probably the platform I have used the least but I am currently vetting one of their tech support courses.

A Cloud Guru

A Cloud Guru specialises in cloud computing and offers a comprehensive range of courses and certifications related to cloud technologies. Cloud computing skills are in high demand now. A Cloud Guru provides hands-on labs and interactive learning experiences, which can be valuable for individuals seeking to get into cloud roles.

I got a lot of hands-on lab practice on this platform while studying to take my AZ-900 – a Microsoft cloud certification.

Codecademy

For those interested in acquiring coding skills, Codecademy is an exceptional platform to consider. Codecademy offers interactive coding exercises and projects that can help develop programming skills.

During my foray into coding, I found this platform helpful in learning an introduction to programming and programming in Python.

Which of these platforms do you use the most?