This year 2020, the coronavirus pandemic has forced every single industry to be available online. Online Education and Digital Learning Platforms are nothing new and have always been there on the internet, but people rarely realized their importance. But this year, when people were forced to stay home because of the pandemic fear, most of us were ready to compromise on entertainment, food, or travel but not on education and learning. So, people started relying on Online Learning Platforms to move forward with their studies, learn any new skills, or upgrade their existing skills. Yes, that may be a little late discovery, but Distance Learning is gaining momentum more than ever before.
Online/Distance Learning Platforms let the students learn at their own pace and thus enabling them with personalized experiences. Also, on the other hand, anyone who is willing to share their knowledge with the world can do so by using these platforms and can earn a decent income. But, the next question arises in everyone’s mind. How reliable are these Digital Learning Platforms? No worries. We have researched for you, and here is the list of most trusted Digital platforms that you can leverage either to learn or to teach. Let us see one by one in detail.
8 Best Platform for Distance Learning
1.Udemy
Hands down, Udemy is one of the best Online Learning Platforms with 35 million students, 57000 instructors, and remarkable 1,30,000+ courses. If you are a student and looking for a reliable course, you can check the instructor’s authentic details, reviews, and ratings before signing up for his/her course. Moreover, you get a certificate upon completion of the course. With Udemy, you can be reassured that you are in safe hands, and now, quality education is possible anytime and from anywhere.
To be an instructor, all you need is to sign up as a premium instructor on the subject you are very familiar with and strong. Once your account is confirmed, you can start creating video content and start publishing it. It can open up a larger customer base for your course, like professionals and students across the world. You can even promote your course on the platform and also if people start finding your course useful and valuable, they are automatically going to refer you to their friends/family.
Skillshare
Skillshare is the right platform to level up/showcase your creative skills. Right from Graphics Design, Photography, Fine Arts, and Cookery, the platform never fails to fascinate you with many interesting skills to acquire. In addition to that, they have technical classes like Analytics, Marketing, and even some Lifestyle classes as well. Along with the classes they provide projects to students for practical learning. Anyone irrespective of age, location, and education can learn new skills with Skillshare.
If you are in the creative field and you can create excellent content for the creative audience, then Skillshare is the platform that you can utilize to earn that extra money. Yes. Now, you can make your passion your career as well.
Coursera
Coursera is a top-notch professional online platform that offers university-like courses and appropriate certification programs. Only professionals from top companies and leading universities are instructors in Coursera. If you want to master a specific skill or change your career or learn a new skill, Coursera is the one-stop solution. Also, certifications from Coursera are highly reputable that will help highlight your resume and stand out from the crowd.
However, if you are a technical person and can provide high-quality content, you can partner with any institution/company to teach on Coursera as the platform doesn’t deal with individual instructors.
edX
edX is the most trusted and authentic global learning community that has students of all ages, backgrounds, and from all over the world. It is a non-profit organization ensuring education to all, removing the location and financial barriers. The platform offers more than 2650 massive open online courses that are created by top universities and world-class institutions. The courses are pre-recorded video lectures that you can access for a limited time. Also, the courses do come with assignments, discussion forums, and projects as well. Most of the edX courses are free, but if you want unlimited access and a certificate, you would need to enroll in a paid course.
If you are tech-savvy and willing to share your immense knowledge with the not-so-privileged people across the world, come on in. You are most welcome to do so and shed light on millions of young minds.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is a compelling Online Learning Platform that has 16000+ courses on various topics that you can explore. The first month is free to subscribe to, and hence you can utilize it to see how comfortable you are with the course and the platform. LinkedIn is known for its reputation, and owning a LinkedIn certificate will help you move forward in your career for sure.
If you want to be an Instructor, you need to define a course with appropriate video content and apply it to their website. In that way, you can help people achieve their professional goals and earn that extra income for yourself.
Udacity
Udacity offers a wide range of technical courses for professionals to update their skill sets and do better in their careers. Excellent mentorship throughout your learning journey and hands-on projects are some perks that come along with the course. The certification from Udacity will put you forward and compete better in the workforce.
If you have extraordinary skills, preferably in the technical/ IT field, and can share them with aspiring individuals from the same field, you can become an Udacity Instructor too. Do mentor those who need most of your guidance.
Futurelearn
You can leverage Futurelearn either to learn a new hobby and live a better life or to do a technical course and have a better career. They have it all, and the choice is up to you. Whatever the choice is, they have experts from top universities and institutions to guide you. Most of the courses are free, and only if you want certification; you would need to enroll for it.
Futurelearn prefers brands and established institutions to do their educational content. However, if you have relevant skills, you can submit all needed proofs and documents. They may hire you if you are the perfect fit for their needs.
MasterClass
The MasterClass is the right platform if you are looking for Creative Classes, Lifestyle, and Personality Development. They offer high-quality video content for optimal learning, assignments for practice, and discussion forums to clarify doubts. No deadlines and you can learn at your own pace. When you learn certain life skills and make lifestyle changes, your career will also have an impact. Get wise with MasterClass and grow in your career as well.
If you do extremely well in your respective field and have a brand name for yourself, you can be an instructor in MasterClass. It could be tough but not impossible. They are always on the lookout for high-profile instructors.
Final Words:
Now, stop procrastinating. In whatever stage of life, you are in; you can learn any skills online, right from the comfort of your home. And, if you are looking for some passive income, Online Learning Platforms are your best bet.
Author Bio:
Vipinraj Nair is the Founder and CEO of Cypherox Technologies Pvt. Ltd, a leading web & mobile app development company. He loves to write about the vital role of web development for different industries, custom web development, digital marketing, website cloning, mobile app development, and the latest technology trends.
