Best E-learning Platforms To Explore
As an instructional designer, I need to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies that I can incorporate into the courses I create. Apart from this, I also need to constantly upskill by exploring new tools, honing my existing skills, and learning new and innovative ways to create an effective learning experience for the learners. Here are the top 3 e-learning platforms that I would recommend for instructional designers, educators, and even students.
Coursera
Website: www.coursera.org
Coursera is one of the best e-learning platforms because it is accessible and user-friendly platform. They offer courses that are diverse and cater to learners from different backgrounds. Coursera offers professional certificate courses and online degrees too. These courses offer a great advantage for those who wish to upskill or explore other career paths.
What I like about Coursera is that they offer financial aid for learners who wish to upskill but don’t have enough financial resources to pay for a full course. The financial aid application is straightforward and can be completed in just a few minutes. You will be asked to answer a series of questions and will be informed about the results within a month. If you are selected to receive financial aid, you may start taking the courses immediately.
Skillshare
Website: www.skillshare.com
Skillshare, unlike Coursera, is not a platform that offers professional certificates but it does not mean it is any less useful. With Skillshare, you can take shorter courses specific to your interests or needs. They have courses on productivity, photography, animation, and a lot more. Moreover, Skillshare offers a free trial for 30 days which you can use to access all the courses you wish to take.
What I like about Skillshare is that they offer practical courses and let learners create their class projects to add to their professional portfolios. The courses are relatively short which makes them a good option for those who do not have a lot of time to spare but still want to learn something new.
Springboard
Website: www.springboard.com
Springboard, on the other hand, is one of the best e-learning platforms that covers a particular niche. They offer a wide range of technical courses on Coding, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Sales, and Marketing. Apart from offering a diverse set of courses, Springboard also helps learners by providing mentorship.
What I like about Springboard is that they offer flexible payment options or scholarships learners. Several free courses can be easily accessed after signing up for an account. Aside from this, the opportunity to be mentored by various professionals from different fields makes Springboard a great platform.
Alternatively, if you are also into self-learning, you might want to these references about learning and visual thinking:
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
1. Learn Like a Pro: Science-Based Tools to Become Better at Anything (Kindle Edition) https://amzn.to/3VhYnP4
2. Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions (Kindle Edition) https://amzn.to/3g3JtMp
Do you have your own go-to e-learning platform? Feel free to let us know about it in the comments section below.