My Favorite Online Learning Platforms

Hello Readers!
Welcome to a new decade! 2020.

In our quest to continuously improve ourselves we need to  keep our skills up to date and relevant with changing times and requirements.  Over the past few weeks I have been looking up online for some interesting skills to learn on some of my favorite platforms. There is abundance of knowledge and easy to follow instructions for anybody who is determined to master a particular skill. 

Online learning is a great way to master skills without compromising on your current lifestyle or work. one can choose any place or time to learn, with the basic requirement being a computer and internet (and off course determination to cross to finish line). Some of the in demand skills are offered free of cost or budget friendly. Online platforms also offer the advantage of showing your achievement to your perspective employers on LinkedIn not just that most courses give you direct access to their forums where one can collaborate, evaluate, learn and interact with other like minded users and instructors of the course.  

Here is a short lift of my favorite platforms

1. Khanacademy  ( undoubtedly my no 1 recommendation):

all the courses are free of cost and well structured from basic to advance levels. The way each course is presented is unique and fun to learn. Tutorials are followed by practical exercises. the platform also allows one to tract their progress. User interface is excellent for anybody to get started without any instruction. Have a wide range of topics covering Maths, Sciences, Engineering, Computing, Finance, Test preparations for some of the hard to crack exams including IIT JEE (becuase I am from India) and many more. So if you haven't checked Khanacademy yet, Now is a good time to START ...

2) Udemy:

Udemy is a great place to learn some of the most basic to highly advance industry specific in demand skills. Unlike Khanacademy here the courses offered are industry specific and floated by individuals themselves who have a sound understanding of the subject, instructors vary from formal university/college professors, Phd holders to casual experts who have mastered the skills by doing/working in the field. Each course has ratings, overview videos, course content listed which really help you in choosing the particular course. All course come with a Udemy 30 days money back guarantee. Go on and master your new skills on udemy.

3) Coursera:

Coursera is a great place to find courses from some of the most leading Universities/Institutions and companies. Courses are formal and well structured. One can take up any course and learn for free or pay for a certification. One of the leading online platform for a more formal learning.   

4) Alison:

 Alison is one platform offering 1000 courses which are mostly skill based. The courses are taught by leading experts in the field. This is particularly a great place to enhance your computer skills.

NPTEL:

The National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning is one of the worlds leading platform offering courses in various engineering disciplines and other sciences. All the courses are taught by faculty from premier Indian institutions such as the IIT's. Each course is well structured with video tutorials followed by assignments/assessments. The certification is recognized by leading employers in India and worldwide, for a certification one has to fulfill the assessment criteria which includes completing all the assessments on time and attending an in person online exam at one of their designated exam centers spread all over the country. 

6) Swayam: 

Swayam is a programme initiated by the government of India. The platform hoists courses taught by best teachers from across the country. All the courses are free for anyone to access and learn.