Online learning has come a long way since the technology and resources were first available commercially, and nowadays it is also one of the most flexible ways to study or do research for professional learning. There are countless platforms and services all over the world, designed to teach specialized skills, offer qualifications and certificates, provide mentorship services for professionals and students alike, and give resources to anyone who needs them.
People should not just sign up for the first online course they find or commit to watching endless hours of tutorials without prior research. There is an abundance of resources and educational content out there, and finding exactly what someone needs is an important first step that must be done before jumping into the deep end. Here, we will look at the different types of online learning platforms, and how they can help professionals and students alike.
Self-Learning Platforms and Courses
These platforms are highly popular among people who want a complete, yet flexible, course. The lessons and content is timed in short bursts, to allow learners to manage the sections in their own time and gradually learn without feeling like they have to keep up. It is good for learning about new subjects or jump into more complex courses, as the courses are designed to be all inclusive, and don’t leave anyone behind if they cannot keep up.
Though they do require a level of self discipline. Without strict deadlines and a course that students can practically run for themselves, it demands people take matters into their own hand and complete the course, revisit difficult subjects, and get the most out of what they are offered.
Certification Focused Platforms
These are designed for specialization, for people who have a career and want to progress. It validates skills they already know and use in their work, introducing new skills and programmes that the students can learn.
The goal is to demonstrate competency in the new areas, so they can be put into practical use directly in the person’s place of work. Alternatively, for students, this could be a means to learn skills that can be put on a CV, or as part of a requirement to enter into a specific job.
Academic and University Linked Sites
Universities are costly, lengthy, and quite time consuming. Online courses are designed to be a little more flexible, reducing costs, perhaps breaking down general degrees into specializations or segments such as Masters/PHD courses. They can also be structured to part-time utility, or weekend courses, but the goal is to provide the student with a certification or degree similar to what they would get if they joined a full university course.
These are more time consuming and rigid than other courses, but they can suit people who want a degree to start work in a field or obtain the necessary requirements to work at a certain place of employment. They offer comparable experiences to university, but with more flexible time management and specialization, and they are generally more affordable than outright university courses.
Intensive Learning Courses
People looking to learn very specialized skills in a relatively short period of time can explore various online intensive courses. These are usually aimed at people who have a basic set of skills in their industry, but want to learn a specific program or gain a specialized qualification.
They may last for a few weeks, or even days, with a lot of content crammed into concise and short lessons. With quick testing and a final exam, they can give the person the education they need, but it requires heavy focus and intensive work for the duration of the course.
Collaborative and Mentor-Run Learning
Instead of learning with conventional lessons, examinations, and homework, these online platforms create a more collaborative and mentor-like program for learners. It teaches through participation, encouraging people to integrate with their peers and open discussions to better understand.
The goal is not to create a short run of lessons or gain a degree at the end. But these online courses can definitely help people to network, become a part of the community, and connect with people within their field, which is not always straightforward with other, more conventional learning.
Educational Tutorials and Breakdowns
Perhaps the most hands-off, yet effective for learning something quickly, these are educational tutorials, online guides, or walkthroughs. Educational tutorials have many practical purposes. Students can use them to learn about the basic day-to-day activities within a career field.
They can be used by professionals who need to quickly learn how to solve a problem, and apply what they learn straight away. But they can also be used to revisit specific skills or lessons, so students or professionals can brush up on their knowledge and get what they need quickly.