📚Online Learning Platforms VS Online Course Platforms
Online learning platforms and online course platforms are two different types of platforms that can help you learn or teach online.
Last updated
Online learning platforms and online course platforms are two different types of platforms that can help you learn or teach online.
Last updated
Online learning is a popular and convenient way to acquire new skills, knowledge, and credentials. Whether you want to advance your career, pursue your passion, or simply learn something new, online learning can offer you a variety of options to suit your needs and preferences. But how do you choose the best online learning platform for you? What are the differences between online learning platforms and online course platforms?
In this article, we will compare and contrast these two types of platforms and give you some cool tips on how to make the most of them.
Online learning platforms are information systems that provide a safe learning environment where students can take online courses. These platforms are often used to identify marketplaces for courses or education, such as Coursera, Skillshare, Udemy, Codecademy, Edx, Pluralsight, Future Learn, and Moodle1. These platforms allow learners to search for and pay for online courses directly from a catalog of thousands of courses offered by various instructors, institutions, and organizations. Online learning platforms usually offer courses in various formats, such as video lectures, quizzes, assignments, projects, discussions, and certificates. Some of these platforms also offer degrees or credentials that are recognized by employers or academic institutions.
Online course platforms are software applications that enable online instructors to create, host, deliver and sell their own online courses. These platforms are also known as learning management systems (LMS) or course creation software. Some of the best online course platforms include LearnWorlds, Teachable, Thinkific, Kajabi, and Podia2. These platforms allow instructors to create online classes or individual lessons by uploading educational material that they have created using text, images, video, PDF files, audio, and other media. Online course platforms also provide tools for designing course pages, building out a curriculum, managing enrollments and payments, marketing and promoting courses, communicating with students, tracking progress and performance, and issuing certificates.
Digital learning is the use of technology to facilitate learning. Digital learning can offer many benefits to both learners and instructors3, such as:
Global connectivity and collaboration. Digital learning can connect learners and instructors from different locations and backgrounds, enabling them to share ideas, perspectives, and experiences.
Personalized learning. Digital learning can allow learners to choose their own pace, style, level, and interests in learning. It can also provide feedback and guidance based on individual needs and goals.
Peer-to-peer learning. Digital learning can foster social interaction and community building among learners. It can also enable learners to learn from each other through discussions, reviews, ratings, comments, and peer assessments.
Available ‘just in time’. Digital learning can provide access to learning materials anytime and anywhere. It can also help learners find relevant information quickly and easily.
Cost-effective and scalable. Digital learning can reduce the costs of travel, accommodation, materials, and facilities associated with traditional learning. It can also reach simultaneously an unlimited number of learners across different locations.
There is no definitive answer to this question as different online course platforms may suit different needs and preferences. However, some factors that you may want to consider when choosing an online course platform are:
Ease of use. How easy is it to create and manage your online course? How intuitive is the user interface? How much technical knowledge do you need?
Customization. How much control do you have over the design and layout of your course page? How flexible is the course structure? How many options do you have for adding content and media?
Features. What features does the platform offer to enhance your course delivery and student experience? For example: quizzes, assignments, certificates, discussions forums, live sessions, gamification, analytics, integrations, etc.
Pricing. How much does it cost to use the platform? What are the payment options? Are there any hidden fees or commissions?
Support. How responsive and helpful is the customer service? What resources are available to help you with technical issues or questions? How active is the community of other instructors?
Here are some cool tips that can help you create and sell online courses successfully:
Know your audience. Before you create your course, do some research on who your target learners are, what their needs and goals are, what their pain points and challenges are, and how you can help them solve them.
Choose a niche topic. Instead of creating a generic or broad course, focus on a specific topic that is in high demand and has low competition. This will help you stand out from the crowd and attract more learners.
Create a curriculum. Plan out your course structure and content in advance. Break down your course into modules, lessons, and topics. Define the learning objectives and outcomes for each section. Choose the best format and media for delivering your content.
Engage your learners. Make your course interactive and fun by adding quizzes, assignments, projects, discussions, live sessions, gamification elements, etc. These will help you test your learners’ knowledge, provide feedback, and motivate them to complete the course.
Market your course. Promote your course to your target audience using various channels and strategies. For example: create a landing page, build an email list, use social media, run ads, offer discounts or coupons, create a blog or podcast, etc.
Online learning platforms and online course platforms are two different types of platforms that can help you learn or teach online.
Online learning platforms are marketplaces where you can find and take online courses from various instructors and institutions. Online course platforms are software applications where you can create, host, deliver and sell your own online courses. Both types of platforms have their own benefits and drawbacks depending on your needs and preferences. To choose the best online learning platform or online course platform for you, consider factors such as ease of use, customization, features, pricing, and support.
