Top 8 Online Learning Platforms Perfect for Women in Tech
When I started my tech journey, I struggled to find the right online platform to learn from. This is a common challenge faced by many women who aspire to join the tech industry, not just me. However, before finding an ideal online learning platform, it is important to research a tech course that aligns with your interests and passion.
Choosing a course you will enjoy in the long run is the key to a successful journey in the tech industry, and once you have decided on a course, the next step is to find an online platform that resonates with your learning preference. With so many online learning platforms, finding the best one can be challenging. To help with that and make things easier, I’ve curated top 8 online platforms to choose from.
LINKEDIN LEARNING
LinkedIn Learning with Lynda is an online learning platform that offers expert-learned courses in different fields like Software, business skills, web development, design, etc. They have over 5000 courses with personalised recommendations; learners can explore, complete and track courses related to their field of interest. The platform is accessible for IOS and Android users; they are flexible as students can learn on their terms and at their own pace. The lessons are interactive, and learners' progress can be monitored with quizzes. LinkedIn learning is recognised for its quality; it supports various languages and awards certificates upon completion. They have two subscription plans: Monthly -1-month free trial, then $39.99/month; annually -1-month free trial, then $19.99/month.
COURSERA
Coursera, a global online learning platform, partnered with esteemed universities and companies like Stanford, Duke, Google, IBM, etc., to offer courses, degree programs (bachelor's and master's degrees), certificates and tutorials in various fields. Coursera has over 129 million registered learners; they provide different learning experiences ranging from hands-on projects to comprehensive, job-ready certificates and degrees.
They lecture students with videos, resources, articles, etc., while accessing them with quizzes and peer-reviewed assignments, providing learners with community forums to discuss their learning progress, problems they encounter or anything relating to the course.
They offer free courses, subscriptions, one-off payments, options to audit the courses and assistance with financial aid depending on the course or program. Upon course completion, the student receives recommendations for advanced programs, thus empowering them to build/improve their resumes, switch to different career paths within the IT field or advance in it.
edX
edX, an online learning platform founded by Harvard and MIT, offers over 4000+ courses ranging from computer science to data science to engineering, business management, etc., from over 250+ leading universities like Harvard, Berkeley, Boston, Google, University of Cambridge, etc. edX connects with over 81+ million people worldwide with online learning that delivers real professional progress across nearly every career discipline.
They offer the best online courses, providing learners with in-depth knowledge and interactive online classes. Their courses are free as students can audit courses for free but without a certificate; however, if they want to receive a verified certificate, they have to pay a low fee ranging from $50-$300; they also have a financial assistance program for 90% off the upgrade fee to help learners who demonstrate financial need to earn verified certificates.
ALISON
Alison is another online learning platform that offers over 4000 free online courses. The online diploma and certificate courses, such as computer programming, networking, and business studies, are accredited by the CPD UK (Continuing Professional Development) certification service, which is recognised in the UK and globally.
Their courses are free and convenient, and users can enjoy free access to complete courses, assessments, learner records, career guidance, etc. While classes are free, users may opt for a premium package at €7.99/month or €79/year, offering ad removal, full CV Builder access, and certificate-earning options. Certificate prices range from €22 to €134; the purchase is optional.
UDEMY
Udemy is a leading online learning platform with a vast community of over 67 million learners that offers over 210k+ courses in 75 languages. Learners can benefit from self-paced video courses and online learning materials like PowerPoint, video, text, etc.
They provide certificates upon completion, lifetime access, World-class instructors who are experts in their fields, reviews and ratings, which can help you decide what course is right for you. While some courses are free, pricing for others ranges from $9.99 to over $199.99. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for all its courses.
CODECADEMY
Codecademy is an online interactive platform offering free coding classes in 12 different programming languages—foundational courses in coding, computer science, data engineering, etc. Codecademy has a community of over 50 million students, and their certificates are highly recognised and regarded by major tech companies. They have a library of over 300+ courses, which includes projects and quizzes; learners can explore different classes and gain new skills with pricing options ranging from $11.99 to $1.
UDACITY
Udacity is an online platform for learners who want to begin or advance in their careers with courses in programming, data science, artificial Intelligence, etc. Udacity gives open-ended projects which mirror real-world scenarios; they also offer personalised feedback from industry experts and accessible mentorship to guide learners through challenges.
They are known for their learning format called "Nanodegree", an online program aimed at helping students learn in-demand technical skills within three to six months. Some courses are available for free, but there is also a subscription-based model that offers more flexibility.
With this model, users can pay a fixed monthly price of $399 or opt for a four-month plan at $1596. Alternatively, they can make an upfront payment of $1356, which provides a 15% saving option. If they are a first-time purchaser, they can try the service for free for 30 days.
FUTURELEARN
FutureLearn is an online educational platform that collaborates with universities and organisations to provide courses, programs, and degrees. Learners can study at their own pace and engage in multiple learning mediums, such as videos, audio, and articles, accompanied by quizzes, discussions, tests, and assignments.
While free courses offer limited access, paid courses provide full access to tests, certificates, and participation statements. With flexible pricing, learners can choose between unlimited access at $39.99 per month or $244.99 per year.
Beginners can benefit from online courses and platforms as they offer valuable information, guidance, accessible resources, independent study, diverse learning materials, supportive communities, and up-to-date content. Completing an online course requires discipline, dedication, and strong motivation. These courses offer an opportunity to learn new skills that can significantly impact your career.