Online learning platforms have certainly come a very long way over the past few years. What started as a very small niche has virtually exploded, and you can find hundreds of different platforms offering all sorts of educational materials. From legitimate schoolwork and arts and crafts to business and science courses, an entire world of knowledge is available to you if you have an Internet connection and time to learn. That being said, not all online platforms are the same. They all offer different courses, have different formats, different pricing points, etc. So before you choose a platform, here are five things you may want to consider first.
1. What Does the Platform Teach?
The first thing you want to consider is what platform you have in mind. If you’re looking at a platform that has a lot of business and tech courses, though what you need is a K-12 online learning platform for actual schoolwork, then obviously the business platform isn’t going to cut it. Maybe save it to your favorites, as it might have utility later on; but you need to focus on a platform that has specifically what you’re after. The goal here isn’t to just learn anything. You likely have very specific things you’re seeking knowledge on, and thus you should find a very specific platform to help teach you.
2. What is the Cost?
Another consideration is what the platform costs you to use. The appeal of online learning platforms is that they’re streamlined and tailored to your needs, or else you could just browse YouTube for a bunch of how-to videos and learn that way. So, these platforms are typically designed to make learning very easy and very specific to your needs. That being said, some do want to charge high monthly rates. Always consider what it costs you to use these platforms. Check out their pricing section to make sure that you can juggle the payment. They’re all going to be less expensive than an online college, but that doesn’t mean they’re all going to be affordable for your budget.
3. Is It Worth It?
There are a lot of different benefits to online learning, but is the platform you’re looking at really worth it in the long run? “Worth,” in this context, goes beyond the monetary price you’re going to pay. You’re also going to have to dedicate your time and energy to learning. It’s best to find an online platform that’s offering you either a demo or a free trial. This way, you can get a feel for the functionality and everything the platform offers. If you get locked into a platform that doesn’t meet your expectations and needs, then it’s just not worth it for you.
4. Is It Suited For My Needs?
What are your individual needs? For instance, if you only have a few hours in the evening that you can dedicate to online learning, then what you need is a platform that offers you a library you can access. If the platform requires you to be there at 11 a.m. every single day, then it ends up conflicting with your schedule. Most platforms do offer on-demand education, but you still have to be careful when signing up for one. You might find that some of the courses are only offered live when an instructor is available, and you might not be able to make time to learn.
5. Is it Enough?
Another consideration here is whether or not the platform you’re choosing offers enough material for you. If you want to learn something very complex, or more than one thing, you might find that your initial chosen platform doesn’t offer it, and thus you have to look elsewhere and sign up for another platform. That’s annoying, to be sure, and is something you need to avoid. Make sure the platform you’re selecting has a broad range of topics so that you can stick with one solo platform.
In Conclusion
The fact of the matter is that you can find a lot of different online learning platforms on the Internet. Just remember that there are different things to consider, and take your time to select the one that’s best for you.
