Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has induced unprecedented global disruptions, with companies closing down across the globe in an effort to suppress the virus. The education industry, on the other hand, has been hit especially hard by the global epidemic, with billions of students out of school and school closings nationally and internationally. The global closure of schools and universities has caused considerable disruptions in educational processes, triggering students to shift to online learning.
The term “new normal” has become one of the most commonly used terms in the aftermath of the pandemic. The steadily increasing use of online learning tools is the new normal in education. The COVID-19 disease outbreak has prompted new methods of learning. Educational institutions all over the world are turning to online learning platforms to help them move to the next stage of educating students. The new normal is a transformed concept of education, with online learning at its heart. Digital learning has now emerged as an essential tool for students and education institutions across the globe. For many educational institutions, this is a completely new way of teaching that they have had to adapt to. Online learning is now used not only to learn academics, but also to learn afterschool activities for students. The growth in online learning has increased significantly in recent years and will continue to do so in the long run.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Online Education Platforms in 2022. 1
What is Online Education Platform?. 1
Essential Features of Online Education Platforms. 2
Advantages of Using Online Education Platforms. 3
Top 3 Online Education Platforms in 2022. 4
What is Online Education Platform?
An online learning platform is a space or gateway that contains educational materials and live teaching on a two or more different topics. These platforms, also known as “e-learning,” are generally subscription based, but there are some that allow users to jump in and learn right away without registering or even have free courses. An online learning framework is a web space or portal for academic material and resources that provides a student with everything they need in one location, including teaching, materials, chances to meet and interact with other students, and many more. It’s also a great way for both the student and the teacher to keep track of how well the student is doing.
A learning platform, like every other online platform, represents a server space or portal brimming with academic material and resources. This course material can also be classified into multiple topics or subjects. Depending on the institution the student is enrolled in, it is usually available online and is uploaded to the platform by the course instructor or teacher. An e-learning platform or online education platform may be generally limited by membership (only those who have registered with it can access it), but sometimes, it may also be free to anyone who wishes to learn. An e-learning platform or online education platform may be generally limited by membership (only those who have registered with it can access it), but sometimes, it may also be free to anyone who wishes to learn. The advantages of an online course platform include the ability for both students and teachers to track their performance through the study material, and everything has been neatly planned and designed in one place. Further to that, students may be able to socialize with one another through the system.
Essential Features of Online Education Platforms
During the early days of the pandemic outbreak, online education platforms entered the education industry. And now, its popularity has inspired students and teachers to use an innovative platform to bridge their learning and tutoring. This need for keeping people safe for both in person and online education platforms is more important than ever before, and online education platforms have eased up to keep up with the demands from time to time. One of the most obvious benefits of online classes is that they are simpler to understand and navigate on a limited budget. Expenses are frequently identified as a barrier to individual students enrolling in courses of interest. This is also a concern for businesses that want to provide extra training to their employees but have tightened their budgets. By choosing online education platforms, these problems can be solved easily for the following features they have provided.
-
Forums
While social media continues to remain a mainstream way for students to communicate with one another, online forums allow students to socialize and discuss classes, coursework, and other relevant information. It also offers an extra channel for students to get responses to questions from their school mates or faculty members.
-
Assessment Tools
Online questionnaires and tests can assist students in identifying areas of strength and weakness in a particular topic or skill. Finding the time utilize assessment tools can help students receive additional practice outside of their regular class work or ongoing projects.
-
Online Communities and Social Engagement
In a traditional school setting, students would gather in groups at the student center or local cafe to assess class notes or engage effectively with other students. Individual learning is emphasized heavily in online education. When students have to communicate with others due to different schedules or backgrounds, it can be difficult for non-traditional or busy classmates. In context of online interaction and communication, e-mail has been overtaken by social media platforms over the years. Trying to send important messages––and making sure that users will receive those messages––has are becoming challenging for both traditional and online learning education systems in recent years. Social engagement tools can assist in quickly disseminating announcements and gathering user feedback.
-
Getting Live Feedbacks
Many students who learn independently may feel very isolated as they progress through their studies. One-on-one relation with teaching staff or mentors boosts self-esteem and assists students in greater understanding their ongoing assigned tasks.
-
Better Comprehensions and Knowledge Retention
Offline courses frequently find it difficult with knowledge retention; this may be due to having to learn in new surroundings as well as other distracting aspects. The advantages of online school are that it allows students to interact with multimedia content and have more control over how they absorb information. This allows for a better understanding.
-
Collaboration of Various Learning Tools
Various learning devices enable students to meet a variety of adapting needs and preferences. Instructors and teachers can provide online students with up close and personal guidance in addition to online, preparing tools to increase the benefits. As well as providing self-guided, web-based preparation methods for individuals who prefer no multiple simultaneous online research. A learning management system may bring to light video conferencing tools at times. This enables users to provide the best service possible from anywhere on the planet.
-
Responsive Design Features
Current students require access to eLearning classes at any time and from any location. As a result, users require a Learning Management System that can instantly convey portable inviting substance. Even better, one that provides everyone with a comparable survey participation and benefits. Almost all online education platforms provide this amazing feature.
-
Dashboards
Learning dashboards can help students and teachers of any and all ages have better understanding their progress throughout the semester by combining reports and assessments. Students or their family members can review the information collected through the dashboard, depending on the learner’s age.
-
Support for Multi-Model Learning
According to the multi-model method, when a larger percentage of the student’s sensory experiences are engrossed during the learning experience, they are much more able to comprehend and recollect more. The use of an online education platform for teaching makes it possible for lecturers to experiment with interactive teaching styles. This accommodates a wide range of learning styles and helps to ensure that each student receives information in a way that is unique to them.
-
Super Gradebooks
Super gradebooks, as opposed to pen and paper gradebooks in the past, can provide students with a better standard of guidance from teachers than ever before. Educators can evaluate the performance of one or more students. Using a super gradebook platform furthermore allows teachers to intervene earlier, assisting students in addressing issues head on.
Advantages of Using Online Education Platforms
-
Enhanced Reachability
Online classes have proven to be a valuable resource for educators seeking knowledge. All that has been required is access to an operating system with reliable internet access. They can easily participate in online streaming even if they are on the go, allowing them to log in and begin learning. Furthermore, unlimited course materials are available at any time during the day or year.
-
Virtual Inactivity
Another advantage of educational online environments is that they let the students to form friendly relationships with other students who share the same interests by providing a variety of services. They can then collaborate on projects and debate ideas in a more casual setting. This can assist them in honing their team-building skills.
-
Develop Digital Literacy
Both students and teachers must develop high levels of digital literacy in this automated world and next-generation new tech. The large percentage of today’s job roles enable some level of digital knowledge and experience; early introduction through an online interactive education platform can help students achieve success. Children can learn application software and become proficient in computer literacy by following a new direction of interactive learning. Organizations have also changed their approach to improving skilled expertise by hosting a wide range of workshops and seminars in which learning, and training are done remotely. This has proven to be a significant advantage in their professional careers.
-
Instant Feedback
In comparison to traditional learning, the importance of instant feedback from online learning classrooms goes a long way in a student’s process of learning. This enhances to speed up their progress through the course material, which they may do on a regular basis or otherwise in schools and universities.
-
Cost Saving
As educators, they will have a complete solution that is effective in terms of practicability. Cost control is largely managed through innovative behavior discovered through online classes, which end up leaving the lowest carbon footprint when compared to traditional institutions. Costly travel arrangements are whittled down through online platforms, making them both cost effective and long-lasting. Reduced financial costs are yet another benefit of online learning. When opposed to traditional education, online education is so much more affordable. This is due to the fact that online learning eliminates the costs of school transportation, student meals, and, most notably, student real estate. Furthermore, all class or course materials are available online, resulting in a digitalized learning environment that would be both more cost effective and environmentally friendly.
Top 3 Online Education Platforms in 2022
Online course platforms are rapidly expanding as a result of the growth in popularity of online learning caused by social distancing. In real sense, the market for e-learning, also known as online learning, and online courses will be worth $325 billion by 2025. These are the top 7 online education platforms to date.
1. Coursera
Coursera is more than just a place to take college-style classes; it also provides real core subjects from actual faculty members and university colleges at a fraction of the price of an online degree. The platform collaborates with over 200 academic institutions and businesses to provide authentic educational experiences that can lead to real-world benefits. In some cases, students can even acquire training and certification or degrees entirely through Coursera, which might also lead to professional benefits such as raises, promotions, and more. Even if the user is not looking for professional development, Coursera provides challenging and rewarding classes on a variety of topics, allowing the user to explore interests that they may not have had previously. The platform supports multimedia courses, allowing lecturers or professors to create classrooms, upload videos, assign and score tutorials and homework assignments, and implement other elements found in a “real” online regular classroom setting.
Then every course is priced separately (the cheapest start around $30 to $40 and go up from there), but there are some occasions where the user can buy a package of classes in one go (and even sometimes at a reduced rate) as a “track” or certification/degree program. Coursera Plus, which costs $399 a year, provides unrestricted access to over 3,000 courses. It’s about as close to an online college experience as the user will get without entering college.
2. Udemy
If someone wants to learn something, it’s most likely available on Udemy. The website is less of a unified “platform” and more of a portal or repository from which students have access to over 100,000 courses on any topic imaginable. Language, arts, music, and fitness classes are available, as well as lessons in programming and IT, business skills, teaching, productivity, and so much more. Also there are even categories for self-improvement and lifestyle, that also cover practical skills and other techniques that people might not normally get in a classic academic setting.
A Udemy course does not have a set format; instead, instructors can create multimedia classes with audio, video, and text elements, as well as readings, quizzes, and other activities. Udemy enables learners to preview classes they are interested in and offers a 30-day refund if they are displeased. Since each class is designed and instructed individually, it is also priced accordingly: Lifetime access to a specific course can range from cheap (around $11 to $15) to pricey (around $200 or more).
3. Skillshare
Even though many online platforms essentially give proper college courses, Skillshare is much less formal and focuses on improving creative skills. There are advertising and business classes on the platform, but the large percentage are courses in creative fields instructed by practicing professionals in those areas: photography, film, animation, visual arts, writing, interior design, and much more. The main focus is on teaching students technical skills that they can then use to create their own projects. Most courses consist of a series of video lessons mixed with assigned tasks for learners to practice their skill sets.
Skillshare operates on a subscription model rather than charging per course payment plan, so learners who register can take as many or as few classes as they want while subscribed. The current market price is $168 per year (approximately $14 per month). Having said that, the platform does provide a number of free classes, ranging from small, 20-minute video content to longer tutorials lasting an hour or more. They aren’t as in-depth, but they’re still a good way to experiment with potentially interesting subjects.