New day. New technology. New feature. New update. In today’s world, we can witness how much technology had changed so far and how it is still remodeling life of human beings. Changes are happing rapidly. For many of us, too fast. Moreover, we are overloaded with daily obligations or we are just too exhausted of other activities, which does not make any space to adjust to the innovations or any other new stuff. Nevertheless, we have to engage with innovations and pursue ALL THAT IS NEW in order to succeed in our professional and personal life. So how indeed do we do it? Learning is a key. Learning online is a product of the innovation sector which we have to follow in order to be in trend with all new stuff.
Nowadays there are many online materials and through internet we are able to grasp knowledge in many ways and consequently evolve and be on the top of what ever we want to do. The thing we really need is internet. So if you belong to Baby Boomer, Generation X or Generation Y, your life is now more simple than ever before, as you can learn how to engage and follow what you want anytime and anywhere. I suggest four amazing online platforms to build your personality and stay updated within newest technologies. Now you can easily be informed about new trends, technology, features, updates, motivators, topics.
1. Lynda counts many registered individual users and corporations. Database consists of more than 100,000 videos in many categories. You can find anything from chemistry to engineering. A very powerful site that can provide you with different topics and different levels of knowledge. Many motivators and powerful people have presented their ideas in different categories. Disadvantage is that trial version lasts for 30 days and even if you can download certificate for free, there is no dynamics or quizzes that can provide you with clear assessment of knowledge.
2. Coursera counts more than 1 000 000 courses in more than 30 different categories and more than 25 providers of courses. Different from all the other providers because it is an accredited university. Coursera combines their expertise with the well-known universities. Their certificates are recognized and eligible in many countries. It is a wise spectrum of courses with renowned professors and innovative topics. Moreover, there is a lot of dynamics: different assignments, projects, quizzes that make teaching very interesting. The disadvantage is that even if you do pass the course, for most of the courses you have to pay to download the certificate. The advantage, on the other hand, s that in some cases Coursera can approve you a financial aid so eventually you will get a certain refund of the money paid.
3. Open2study counts numerous free courses and certificates. It is not that developed in terms of quantity, but high level of dynamics and many attendees are showcasing quality. Very interesting forums with short, concise and innovative topics along with teachers make this site alive. Lovely customer service and follow up for courses which have to be paid. Moreover, it serves as a great assistant with instructions in learning too. However, forums should definitely be renewed for each new session.
4. edX founded by MIT and Harward University, counts many courses and most of them are free. But on the other hand, there is a certain number of courses offered for a certain fee, which really varies from the course to the professors. Along with the courses, if offers a certificate, but fee depends on a course. You might get some certificates for fee though. Edx online platform is accredited and many of recognized universities offer plenty of categories with 2000+ courses. An excellent assessment of the courses, but forums could be refreshed and updated every time with the beginning of the new course.
If you are looking for certificates I recommend you COURSERA, and if you are more focus to the deep topic go with Lynda, but if you are searching for something completely free you will be bestoff with Open2study or edX.