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How To Choose the Best Online Courses in 2022

There are so many reasons why learning online makes sense.

Having the option to study in your spare time instead of having to attend in-person classes is one of the perks of eLearning. What’s more, it’s a great way to enhance your resume and impress future employers.

The only thing left to do now is choose the best online courses – how are you meant to select an eLearning platform let alone a course? These tips will help.

Choosing the Best Online Courses: What To Consider

There are a few simple things you should consider to filter out the online courses that won’t work for you.

1. Your Preferred Learning Method

Are you someone who prefers to learn by reading or doing? Or maybe both? Perhaps you prefer to watch videos? Every online learning platform takes a slightly different approach when building their courses, which is why your learning preferences should be one of the first considerations. If you’re uncertain about your preferred learning style, just reflect on your past learning experiences.

2. Course Cost-Effectiveness

The last thing you want is to cash out thousands on a course that won’t necessarily bring you much value. That’s why you want to consider the price-value ratio.

Sure, there are tons of premium options out there, but are you sure you couldn’t get the same value from a free course? Plenty of platforms can lure you in with their engaging premium content that’s not always worth the price. This is where reading reviews can really come in handy.

3.  Your Availability

The best online courses can take anywhere one hour to a few years. Before looking for a course, ask yourself how much time you have available to obtain the skills you need. Outlining your availability makes it that much easier to narrow down your course options.

4. The End Goal

It’s essential to have your end goal in mind when looking for a course. Do you need a certificate to showcase your new skills to your future employer? Or are you simply working on a skill you need for your next project? Also, if you’re after college credit, you want to choose courses that will grant them. Knowing your end goal will help you pick the courses that will provide you with the most value.

What are the Best Platforms for Online Learning?

Here’s a list of the most popular online courses platforms and their descriptions for further guidance.

Udemy

Udemy is an affordable online learning platform with more than a hundred thousand programs to choose from. It’s suitable for anyone looking for courses related to in-demand fields like technology, marketing, business, and management. The platform offers both free and paid courses, ranging from $9.99 to a few hundred dollars. The courses on Udemy aren’t accredited though. Find out more about the platform in this detailed review.

Udacity

Udacity Review

Udacity is one of the oldest online learning websites. It’s known for its cooperation with Silicon Valley companies such as Facebook, Google, Amazon, and Nvidia. This means you can expect to find high-end courses in the tech and business fields that are taught by experts. They also have Nanodegree programs that cover specific fields in-depth, however, the platform doesn’t offer accredited courses. Find out more about Udacity in this informative review.

Coursera

Coursera

Coursera is known for its collaboration with some of the world’s most renowned universities and institutions. Thousands of courses on this platform are taught by field experts and include hands-on projects and assignments for students to complete. It also offers certificates upon completion and the pricing is affordable. Not all courses are accredited, but they all come with a certificate of completion. We’ve written an in-depth review on Coursera here.

edX

edx reviewedX is another platform that creates courses in collabortation with educational institutions and companies. They’re also known for having one of the more diverse range of programs. Learners can choose from short courses that focus on just one skill or sign up for a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. Due to the variety of courses, the pricing varies too. However, some of their courses are also available for free. Like Coursera, edX offers some accredited courses. You can find out more about the platform in this review.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning offers technology, business, and creative video courses taught by industry experts. It’s one of the fastest-growing online learning platforms and has thousands of high-quality and on-demand course options. Even though the platform isn’t accredited, learners can add their new achievements directly to their LinkedIn profiles. We’ve outlined even more information about LinkedIn Learning in this review.

Skillshare

Skillshare Review

Skillshare is an affordable and engaging platform designed for creative professionals. Benefit from regular course sales and enjoy free trials on premium memberships – you cannot purchase courses individually on Skillshare. This platform is great for learners who prefer practical projects that they can add to their portfolios. Learn more about Skillshare in this in-depth review.

Conclusion

Choosing the best online courses for you ultimately depends on four things. You want to know your preferred learning method, how much you’re willing to spend, how long you want to learn, and, most importantly, your end goal.

Coursera and edX are great options if you’re after formal learning and accredited courses, while Skillshare, Udemy, or Udacity are better for informal learning.