What are the best E-learning platforms?

By enabling anybody, anywhere, at any moment, to access e-learning courses, online learning platforms liberate education. Given the recent explosive growth in the business, we have taken the effort to compile a list of the top online learning platforms.

However, with so many online learning systems available, how can you make a decision? Take a look at these best choices first!

What is an online platform for learning?

An information system with a learning environment where students can access instructional materials is referred to as an online learning platform. Contemporary educational platforms facilitate diverse forms of interactive instruction and provide instructors with resources to advertise their courses.

Alternatively, an online course platform refers to the technological tools that educators utilise to design, host, and market their courses—which might not be available through a learning platform's marketplace. We'll concentrate on online learning platforms in this post, providing instructors and students with essential information.

How to select the top online learning platform For Students (Purchasing a Course)

Buying educational materials is not the same as buying tangible commodities. Since learning is a very personal process, you should think about what will be most beneficial to you or your objectives.

Instructure:  Selecting a teacher you trust and feel at ease with is crucial. Think about their credentials as a teacher, their subject area expertise, and whether or not they have any teaching samples available (such as an introductory video).

Content: Verify whether the content meets your needs and assess its level. Before registering for a plan, review the course syllabus and topics.

Certification: Check whether professional certificates are issued by reputable companies, persons, or educational institutions by reviewing the compliance.

Pricing: Cost is yet another important consideration when choosing study materials that are appropriate for you. While there are many free classes accessible, premium courses are typically of a higher calibre and more entertaining. While some courses offer free trials, others allow you to cancel and get a refund. 

The benefits of Online learning Platform

Online learning environments are very beneficial to students as well as schools. The following are some major benefits of using them instead of in-person learning opportunities:

• Versatility and accessibility

• a variety of course options

• Economical

• Individualised

• global reach Interactive educational resources

• regular updates and pertinence

• Professional growth and career progression

• Personalised educational pathways

• Social media and networking

Explain the difference between learning management systems and online learning platforms?

It's critical to understand how an online learning platform varies from other comparable options, including learning management systems (LMS) and online course websites, while you're investigating which one is best for you.

By contrast, an online learning platform's learning management system serves as a back-end solution, giving it all the resources it needs to run efficiently. This would offer functions like making quizzes, grading tasks, and posting videos, among many other things.

Websites for online courses are comparable to online learning platforms. In actuality, the distinction is that, generally speaking, online learning platforms provide greater flexibility than course websites. Internet

The Top 10 Online Learning Platforms:

1. Udemy: 

The well-known online learning site Udemy provides a large range of courses on many subjects, making it appropriate for both enthusiasts and professional development. Teachers can sign up with Udemy and begin offering online courses, but Udemy keeps a sizable portion of the sales and sets the price, including the ability to provide discounts.

Key Features:

• Broad range of subjects and abilities

• Reasonably priced individual classes

• Platform that is easy to use

Pros:

• Reasonable prices

• An extensive and dynamic course catalogue

Cons: 

• There can be a big difference in quality between courses.

• Restricted access to scholarly and authorised content.

2. Open Education

The social learning methodology and collaborative tools of OpenLearning, an online learning platform with its main office in Australia, set it apart. The platform places a strong emphasis on encouraging group projects and conversations among students. By reducing obstacles and enabling learning to be abundant, accessible, and configurable for everyone, it seeks to increase participation and access for all.

Key Features:

• Social learning methodology

• Working together and participating in group activities

• An affordable price structure

Pros:

• A focus on student participation

• Option for flexible pricing.

• Encouraging neighbourhood

• AI-powered platform

Cons:

• Not as well-known as more expansive platforms

• A more condensed course catalogue

• Education can be costly

3. Thinkific

Thinkific is for professionals who wish to generate income through online education while sharing their expertise through cutting-edge, interactive products. Though support is limited, Thinkific is a well-liked choice for course developers starting their businesses. 

Key Features :

• Participate in Your Educational Community

• Develop Websites to Promote Your Enterprise

Pros:

• Discover how to make free courses.

• An adaptable and user-friendly platform to design your own classes

• Lots of customer service for those who create courses

Cons:

• Not a course library to find

4.  Learnworlds

A contemporary LMS, Learnworlds includes tools for community building, e-commerce, course authoring, and user management. It provides businesses with a true all-in-one e-learning solution. You may start your own academy, release a mobile application, and control the user data using LearnWorlds.

Key Features:

• Interactive Video

• Reasonably priced individual classes

• Platform that is easy to use

Pros:

• Interactive Video

• Your fully branded virtual school

• incredibly captivating popups

Cons:

• Restricted Capabilities

• Course Problems

• Minimal Personalisation

5. Edx

Open-edX and EdX.org (the course marketplace) are two sides of the same coin. Open-edX is an open-source content management system, and EdX is the learning portal where students select online courses from different universities. The sciences—engineering, computer science, data science, maths, humanities, business, and management—are their primary areas of expertise.

Key Features:

• courses supported by universities

• Professional certifications and MicroMasters

• worldwide alliances

Pros:

• Open-source and cost-free (for educators)

• offers comprehensive information and value addition (for pupils)

Cons:

• Discussion boards appear to be archaic and challenging to use.

• Implementation requires technical expertise 

6. Bonus

CareerFoundry provides online courses in UX and UI design, full-stack web development, data analytics, digital marketing, product management, and product design, even if it isn't strictly an online learning platform.

A job guarantee, industry mentorship, and AI-infused courses make CareerFoundry an excellent choice for anyone thinking about a digital career. For individuals looking to advance their skills, there are also advanced course options.

Key features:

• Respected classes for those looking to change careers

• knowledgeable mentors

• employment assurance within six months following graduation

Pros:

• prestigious online learning

• Individualised

• You don't have to quit your work to enrol in advanced courses.

Cons:

• Excludes discussion of academic subjects

• Less in-depth courses may be preferred for casual learners.

7. Khan academy

Khan Academy is a nonprofit organisation that provides free online resources and courses, mostly in science and maths. Its extensive K–12 curriculum and adaptive learning tools have won it a lot of recognition.

Key features:

• Free educational resources 

• Adaptive learning tools 

• Comprehensive K–12 subject coverage

Pros: 

• Free and open to everyone

• a thorough K–12 curriculum

Cons:

• Content for higher education is limited

• less engaging than on other platforms

8. Coursera

Coursera offers a wide choice of courses, specialisations, and degree programmes by partnering with leading universities and organisations around. Coursera is well-known for its excellent academic material and offers access to classes from prestigious colleges and universities. A useful resource for corporate training is Coursera for Business. 

Key features:

• courses offered by prestigious colleges

• Programmes for degrees and specialities

• For corporate training, use Coursera for Business.

Pros:

• superior scholarly writing

• range of subjects and areas of expertise

Cons:

• Certain classes may be pricey.

• Not every student will benefit from the emphasis on academic material.

9. Moodle

Moodle is a free, open-source learning management system, in contrast to other LMSs. Higher education typically uses Moodle as its LMS, and many corporations do too. Although it takes a lot of work to set up, this e-learning solution might be the most customisable available.

Key Features:

• Availability

• Calendar for courses; dashboard for courses

• storing and exchanging files

Pros: 

• Free to use and open source

• most adaptable option

• Compliant with xAPI/Tin Can API, AICC, SCORM, and IMS LTI

• a large user, developer

Cons:

• doesn't provide assistance, but you can purchase it

• extremely outdated user interface

• To use it, you need an expert or a group of experts.

10. Learndash

The most widely used premium WordPress LMS plugin available is called LearnDash. Because LearnDash is as flexible as WordPress, it can be easily customised. Many additional features that aren't built-in can be added. However, installing too many plugins could cause problems and even ruin the website, in which case a developer would be needed to put everything up, maintain the site, and provide assistance.

Key Features:

• Cloning a course. Duplicate content with ease to start working on your next course sooner.

• The wizard for creating courses. You can quickly create a new course by pasting in the URL of a video playlist.

Pros:

• Not as expensive as cloud-based LMS Extremely adaptable and customisable

• a large number of functional additions

Cons:

• No free trial period

• The membership plugin is an additional expense.

•  Extra fee associated with each extension.

Conclusion

Even if there are many benefits to using an online learning platform, it's important to take individual preferences, learning styles, and the particular objectives of students or institutions into account. You may select a different platform that meets your demands based on your budget, the nature of the course, and regulatory concerns (for larger firms). Without a doubt, LearnWorlds is our top choice.