How to Choose the Best Online Learning Platform?

Are you trying to find online learning platforms, but confused about which to choose?

Since e-learning has become a popular option, many platforms have emerged to provide the best online courses, but which one is better?

Choosing the best online platforms for studies has remained a tough choice for every student and their parents, as 1000 online learning platforms are available. 

When choosing an e-learning platform must ensure that the platform meets your needs and provides an organised, interesting learning experience.

Always choose the best online learning platform by considering your learning objectives, course quality, cost, format and curriculum. 

As the world is evolving rapidly, it is essential to select a learning platform that runs according to the demanding needs of the future generation. 

Understanding Online Learning Platforms

An online learning platform can be defined as a digital or e-learning space where students can acquire education with the help of technology and the internet.

Online learning platforms is used to deliver virtual workshops, webinars, training courses, and many other types of distance learning, with the help of technology. 

With the help of e-learning platforms, students can access courses at any time and from any location according to their schedule and learning speed.

Digital classrooms allow kids to enhance their learning outcomes by providing dynamic education and helping in holistic development. 

While choosing an online educational platform, it’s essential to check all the requirements related to curriculum, accreditation, approval, budget, etc. As online education provides interactive and self-paced learning opportunities. 

Merits and Demerits of Online Learning Platforms

Online learning platforms promote a positive and sustainable learning environment. Online education helps in promoting creativity and provides a flexible and customized education. 

However, along with the merits of online learning platforms, there are various demerits as well, such as limited interaction, technical issues, etc.

Here are the merits and demerits of online learning platforms mentioned below.

Merits of Online Learning Platforms

• Sustainable Education: Online learning platforms provide sustainable learning opportunities. This implies that through online learning, one can save money as there is no extra cost related to transportation, accommodation, hostel facilities, etc. These platforms make learning sustainable and cost-efficient.

• Flexible Education: Digital learning platforms allow flexibility of learning for students. Through e-learning, students can receive education according to their schedule and time, with the help of the internet. 
  
  Through online education platforms, students can obtain an education without having to relocate or commute daily.
  
• Personalized Education: One of the effective benefits of online learning platforms is that they provide personalized and customized education to students. 
  
  As every student has their own learning capabilities and styles, it is essential to private their education to their need. Personalized learning helps in promoting a positive learning environment.
  
• Equal Accessibility: Online learning platforms allow kids to have equal learning opportunities. Through the help of the internet, one can achieve equal education from any location and irrespective of their social backgrounds. 

• Rewatchable Lessons: One of the major benefits of online learning is that any student can watch the same lesson later. As online education is video classes, most of the classes were recorded, so students can rewatch the videos at any time. This helps students to clear their doubts and understand the concepts more easily.

Demerits of Online Learning Platforms 

• Lack of Face-to-Face Communication: In online learning, it is tough to make face-to-face interaction with teachers and peers. Lack of physical interaction causes students to lose interest and motivation for learning, which leads to hampering their learning performance.

• Technical Issue: One of the main obstacles to increasing the efficacy of online education is technical issues or internet problems. 
  
  Due to technical difficulties, students have trouble interacting with their teachers and taking part in online courses. Technical difficulties or computer malfunctions can also disrupt online learning.
  
• Lack of Interaction: One of the primary disadvantages of online learning is that it can lead to social isolation among students. The absence of in-person interactions in online learning hinders the teaching and learning process. 

• Distraction from Social Media: Online learners develop a social media addiction. Students struggle to finish the lesson because they are distracted as a result. Users are distracted by social media pop-ups and notifications from websites, which impede the teaching and learning process. 

• Health Problem: Children’s health deteriorates as a result of excessive screen time because blue lights strain their eyes. Overuse of screens is one of the main issues with online learning. Poor posture and other health issues can also develop in students who spend a lot of time hunched over a screen. 

Top 10 Online Learning Platforms

There are a variety of online learning platforms that provides equal and quality education to students. Every learning platform has its own teaching styles and adaptability.

Children need to select the learning platforms according to their needs and learning style. Below you can check the top 10 online learning platforms.

1. Khan Academy: 

Khan Academy is a popular free online learning environment that covers a wide range of subjects, including Science, Math, History, Computer, Geography and so on. 

Khan Academy provides equal education to students with e-learning platforms that allow them to become more engaged and enhance their knowledge.

Khan Academy also prepared students for government jobs and national entrance exams.

Pros of Khan Academy

• Free: Khan Academy provides  free and accessible education to everyone.
• Education: High-quality instruction, a focus on regional languages and interactive video lessons.
• Levels: Mostly suited for students of class 10 and 12, and higher education. 
• Preparation: Prepares for competitive exams and high-level entrance exams such as JEE, NEET and UPSC, etc.

Cons of Khan Academy

• Lack of Advancement: Reliance on old methods of teaching and learning, lack of skill enhancement courses.
• Less Focused: It primarily focuses on academics and theoretical subjects only; no industry-driven subjects are taught.

2. Udemy: 

Udemy is a popular e-learning platform that allows students with skill-based learning. Udemy courses are taught by industry experts and professional educators. 

Udemy provides courses at a reasonable price so that every student can upskill their career without any hindrances. With an emphasis on practical skills, the platform encourages lifelong learning and helps in advancing future careers.

Pros of Udemy

• Multiple Courses: From data science to the arts and humanities, thousands of courses are offered in a variety of subjects. 
• Affordable: It is one of the most affordable learning platforms with monthly and yearly based subscriptions.
• Industry Ready Courses: The courses are prepared by industry experts through experiential learning, which helps to develop useful skills. 
• Skill Enhancement: This learning platform focuses on skill enhancement courses such as advanced Excel, AI, C programs, data science, etc 

Cons of Udemy

• Inconsistent: Some courses are inconsistent which hampers the quality of the programs.
• Lack of Certification: Usually, accredited certifications are not offered by any of the courses. 
• Limited Scope: The courses are limited and don’t provide in-depth information.

3. Simplilearn: 

Simplilearn is an incredible online learning platform that allows students to gain certification courses in the field of data science, digital marketing, education, entrepreneurship, project management and so on. 

The courses provided by Simplilearn are prepared by industry professionals. The platform provides both teacher aid and self-paced learning options for students.

Simplilearn helps students to enhance their learning outcomes as well as prepare for professional careers.

Pros of Simplilearn

• Certificate Courses: All the courses provide industry-driven driven accredited certificates.
• Advance Courses: Provides advanced courses and a comprehensive guide to students to enhance their knowledge.
• Flexible: It provides flexible courses, so students can continue their studies according to their comfort.
• Recorded classes: Simplilearn provides recorded classes, so if students miss them, they can watch it later.

Cons of Simplilearn

• Expensive: The courses and course material are expensive compared to others.
• Long hours: conducts classes for a long period of time, leading to difficulty in time commitment.
• Limited Courses: Limited to science and education only, with no focus on management and businesses.

4. Unacademy: 

Unacademy is a globally recognized educational platform for students preparing for government exams common entrance exams and competitive exams such as JEE, NEET, SSC and UPSC. 

The platform is organized and provides mentorship to students with the help of professional mentors.

Unacademy also offers comprehensive guidance and focuses on preparing students for their future performance.

Pros of Unacademy

• Interactive: Interactive education that incorporates group projects and peer conversations. 
• Partnered: Partnered with various other e-learning platforms and corporates to provide hands-on experience.
• Certificate Courses: The courses are certified and provide professional certificates after completion.

Cons of Unacademy

• Expensive: Some courses are expensive and have limited free trials.
• Lack of Specialization: Doesn’t have any specialized courses and lacks of deep understanding of subjects.

5. Toppr: 

Toppr is one of the incredible e-learning platforms that allows kids to enhance their learning ability and make prepare them for their school assignments.

Toppr provides video lessons and MCQ-based questions to prepare students for their exams, especially for boards. 

While maintaining focus on the core concepts of the school curriculum, this learning platform provides adaptive learning tools for enhanced comprehension and knowledge retention. 

Pros of Toppr

• Affordable: The courses are affordable, and doubt clearance is free.
• Wide range of Subjects: Toppr provides a wide range of subjects and covers the entire syllabus of 10th and 12th.
• LMS: Provides every student with LMS to enhance self-paced learning.

Cons of Toppr

• Limited Variety: Primarily focuses on school subjects, with no industry-relevant subjects.
• No Certificates: It doesn’t provide any certificates after completion of the course programs

6. Adda24/7: 

Adda24/7 is an online platform that facilitates direct communication between students and teachers in real time. This type of online learning is ideal for answering questions and preparing for competitive exams. 

The platform offers exam preparation and offers a customized learning approach that allows them to focus on students’ speed and even strengths and weaknesses. 

Pros of Adda24/7

• Doubt Clearance: Provide real-time doubt clearance classes and Q&A sessions. 
• Affordable: It is very affordable with free doubt clearance classes.
• Flexible: It provides flexible learning opportunities to students.
• Prepares QNA: Prepares students with special QNA related to competitive exams.

Cons of Adda 24/7

• Limited Scope: Provides limited school-based subjects, no industry-driven programs.
• Lack of Advancement: Use old methods of teaching amd learning with no multimedia materials.

7. Physics Wallah: 

Physics Wallah or PW is one of the top virtual learning platforms in India that provides students with a top-notch education through interactive academic resources. 

Through engaging videos, presentations, and one-on-one lessons make PW learning becomes more efficient and interactive. Physics Wallah also prepares students for competitive exams and Board exams.

Pros of Physics Wallah

• Quality Education: It provides quality education to every student through video lectures.
• Prepares for Competitive Exams: Make students ready for competitive exams and government exams such as UPSC, SSC, NEET, etc
• Batch Classes: Provides batch classes to students to enhance social skills and save time.

Cons of Physics Wallah 

• Expensive: Courses and classes are expensive and not affordable for everyone.
• Short-term Skills: Prioritize short-term skill development over in-depth academic material. 

8. 21K School: 

21K School is the first online school in India that provides a high-quality, proficient education via an online platform.

The government-approved 21K school educates students in nursery through Class 12 and uses both the Indian and British curricula. 

Founded in 2020, the school provides all students with an open and equitable education through audiovisual animations that facilitate understanding of the material. 

Children from multiple cultural traditions and backgrounds are welcome to learn and develop together at 21K school. Instead of emphasizing theoretical learning, 21K schools emphasize creative learning through activities. 

Pros of 21K School

• International Curriculum: 21K school provides education through an international curriculum such as British, American, and Indian.
• Flexible Learning: 21K school provides flexible schedules and individualized learning paths that accommodate different needs and speeds.
• Global Communication: 21K school provides students with a variety of viewpoints and a global community, and promotes collaborative learning. 
• Personalised Learning: 21K school provides personalised learning to every student according to their needs.

Cons of 21K School

• Technical Challenges: Sometimes students face technical challenges and technical issues in conducting online classes.
• Limited Subjects: It offers limited subjects and limited course programs.
• Lack of Structured Environment: It doesn’t have a proper structured environment, and the classes were conducted in a home setting.

9. Cyboard School: 

One of the best online schools in India Cyboard School uses interactive teaching methods to give every student an equal education. Cyboard school is granted the International Accreditation Organization (IAO). 

In order to offer professional experience, Cyboard School has partnered with foreign organizations and educational institutions. 

Government-recognized Cyboard School provides instruction to students in Nursery through Class 10 and adheres to the CBSE curriculum. Instead of emphasizing theoretical knowledge, Cyboard School emphasizes creative learning and promotes holistic education. 

Pros of Cyboard School

• Interactive: Interactive education that incorporates group projects and peer conversations. 
• Partnered: Partnered with various other e-learning platforms and corporates to provide hands-on experience.
• Flexible: It provides flexible learning opportunities to students.

Cons of Cyboard School

• Lack of New Methods: Reliance on old methods of teaching and learning, lack of skill enhancement courses.
• Less Focused: It primarily focuses on academics and theoretical subjects only; no industry-driven subjects are taught.

10. Vidyakul: 

Vidyakul is an incredible online learning app that provides students with one-on-one lessons. Vidyakul’s main aim is to bridge the gap between teachers and learners. 

With Vidyakul, educators, parents and students can find the ideal online resource to address any issue they may have with online education.

Vidyakul prepares students for competitive exams as well as students can also clear their doubts regarding their school subjects.

Pros of Vidyakul

• Certificate Courses: All the courses provide industry-driven, accredited certificates.
• Quality Education: It provides quality education to every student through video lectures.
• School Levels: Mostly suited for school students of classes 5 and 12, and higher education. 

Cons of Vidyakul

• Limited Courses: Limited to science and education only, with no focus on management and businesses.
• Lack of Advancement: Use old methods of teaching and learning with no multimedia materials.

Conclusion

A number of factors, such as your learning objectives, the quality of the course, the cost and the format, must be carefully considered when choosing the best online learning platform. 

Online education has many benefits, including equal accessibility, flexibility and personalized learning, but it also has drawbacks such as little interaction and possible technical difficulties. 

With their own advantages and disadvantages, the leading learning platforms, Khan Academy, Udemy, Simplilearn and others, all accommodate various learning requirements and preferences. 

You can make an informed choice that improves your educational experience and sets you up for success in the future by weighing these factors and comparing them with your learning objectives. 

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