The Different Types And Their Benefits – Forbes Advisor – Yurika.R

Online learning platforms have drastically increased in popularity over recent years. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic forced a massive leap toward online study—the effects of which remain with us today—advances in educational technology and high-speed internet access had begun to make remote learning more widespread and accessible.

Students of all levels, including those in corporate training, now rely on the internet to deliver educational materials. Online learning platforms are where this happens, connecting students with course content, instructors and classmates.

In this article, we’ll discuss how online learning platforms work and which platform to choose based on your needs.

What Is an Online Learning Platform?

An online learning platform allows students to access and absorb educational content digitally, in either groups or individual settings. Online learning can take place live at set times, or it can entail prerecorded lessons for students to complete on their own schedule.

What Are the Different Types of Online Learning Platforms?

If you plan to take an online course or pursue another type of distance learning, you should first become familiar with a few different delivery platforms. Here are three of the most popular types of online education platforms and a few of the best providers for each.

Learning Destination Sites

A learning destination site allows you to access a variety of courses in one place. Udemy, a popular LDS, offers more than 220,000 video-based lessons on an array of topics. The following online learning platforms are also categorized as LDSs:

• Coursera: A great option for those in the workplace looking to enhance skills or change careers, Coursera offers virtual courses, certifications and degree content.
• Codecademy: This online coding bootcamp offers comprehensive instruction to students who want to learn how to code. Learners can choose from career paths and individual courses.
• Khan Academy: This platform serves learners in kindergarten through eighth grade, high school and college. It also offers test prep resources for the SAT, LSAT and MCAT. Khan Academy is free and boasts a wealth of courses in topics like math, reading, computing and life skills.
• edX: This early massive open online course platform serves over 86 million users. edX’s offerings include bachelor’s competition programs, master’s degrees, coding bootcamps and standalone courses.
• Udacity: A tech-focused LDS, Udacity offers courses and nanodegrees in areas like AI, data science, programming and cybersecurity.

Learning Management Systems

Learning management systems (LMS) are software systems used by companies and organizations for learning and training.

An LMS differs from an LDS in that it’s not a public-facing website. Rather, an LMS is a portal through which instructors disseminate information for learners to access. An LMS can exist online or as installed software, and it can be either paid or open source.

A few of the most common LMSs used today include:

• Blackboard: Blackboard is an LMS that serves all grade levels, as well as business and government organizations. Through Blackboard, instructors can build and share educational content. Its provider Anthology has an associated app as well.
• Canvas: Canvas is one of Blackboard’s primary competitors. All Ivy League schools have adopted Canvas as their main LMS. This platform is feature heavy, efficient and integrates with applications like Google Classroom, Zoom and Adobe.
• Moodle: This robust LMS offers a free option that may work best for those who have some experience with the administrative tasks involved in setting up an LMS. Moodle also offers low-cost paid versions with more support.
• D2L Brightspace: This LMS serves K-12, higher education and corporate customers, partnering with over 1,100 organizations. It integrates with a wide array of learning technology products and aligns with global accessibility standards.

Learning Ecosystems

A learning ecosystem can be thought of as a combination of an LDS and an LMS. However, this emerging model can also go beyond software and content to include an organization’s members, culture, and learning and development strategy.

These comprehensive learning platforms offer a variety of educational resources, but they’re generally internal to particular schools or organizations. This means you can’t access one without being a part of the organization to which it belongs.

Online Learning Delivery Methods

Instructors can deliver online learning through several methods. We’ll go over a few types of online learning delivery methods below.

Video-Based Learning

Video-based learning involves learning from a video or series of videos. This format works best for those seeking flexibility in their learning. Students can typically view videos at any time from any location. This format may combine speaking, graphics and animation to provide a 360-degree learning experience.

A great example of video-based learning is YouTube, where viewers can watch tutorials on just about any topic. Just make sure that the content creator is a credible source on their given topic.

One-on-One Learning

Online learning is not always asynchronous. With one-on-one learning, students can work with a teacher or tutor in real time. This format provides more direct interaction with students’ instructors, allowing learners to ask questions and work out problems face to face.

Group Learning

Virtual classrooms, like those offered by most online colleges, are a good example of group learning. These classes typically meet at set times, during which an appointed instructor leads the class.

Group learning classes often use other mediums, like pre-recorded videos and lectures, to enhance the learning experience. Professors and instructors typically use an LMS to post grades, facilitate discussions and keep track of assignments.

Benefits of Online Learning Platforms

Online learning requires top-notch time management skills and plenty of self-discipline, and many students prefer to learn in in-person environments. That said, distance learning brings a wealth of benefits as well. Here are a few positive outcomes of online learning platforms:

Budget-Friendly Choices

Online learning often costs less than in-person instruction. Many colleges and universities offer in-state tuition rates to all remote learners, regardless of where they reside. Likewise, studying online reduces costs associated with transportation.

For aspiring tech professionals, online coding bootcamps offer a fast and often affordable way to develop in-demand job skills. Additionally, open-source LDSs allow anyone to dive into a subject that interests them—free of charge.

Flexibility and Convenience

Online course platforms often allow learners to study at their convenience. This can make it easier to hold down a full-time job while attending classes. It also means students can attend courses offered by out-of-state schools without having to travel or uproot their lives.

Options for Every Learning Style

Online learning platforms offer something for everyone. For students who want the camaraderie of in-person classes with the convenience of remote learning, group-based online learning combines the best of both worlds. On the other hand, those who feel overwhelmed in group learning settings might prefer one-on-one online courses. And learners with unpredictable work schedules who need lots of flexibility can find what they need in video-based courses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online Learning Platforms