Looking to Build Your Tech Skills? Learn How to Tell the Value of Online Platforms

Thanks to the internet, learning opportunities are always just a few clicks away. This can be a boon for tech pros looking to hone their skills, as the need to head to an actual classroom is practically non-existent.

However, with the rise of virtual learning, the number of online platforms increased dramatically, and they aren’t all created equal. While some may offer a valuable experience, others fall well below the standard you’d expect them to meet.

As a result, it’s crucial to evaluate a digital learning platform’s capability and potential thoroughly. If you don’t know where to begin, here are some tips.

Set Your Budget

First and foremost, you need to factor your budget into the equation. While some online platforms are free to use or have at least some no-cost coursework, others have fairly large paywalls.

Consider how much you’re willing to spend. Then, focus your research on platforms that align with that amount. Make sure you aren’t lured in by short-term free trial offers that quickly lead to massive price tags. Instead, limit your search to those that may work for your long-term.

Know Your Goals

Not all online platforms host courses that provide college credit or work for continuing education requirements that you may find with some certifications. Before you dig deep into a platform, you need to determine whether credit of any kind is required and, if so, what type. That way, you can make sure the courses will fulfill that need, increasing the odds that the experience provides you with genuine value.

Read Reviews

Not all learning platforms have stellar reputations. While they may have numerous testimonials on the site, you need to take those with a grain of salt. Those are often handpicked by the platform, so they may not give you insights about the average experience.

Instead, do a little digging to learn more about the platform’s reputation. Do a quick search and read reviews off of the platform as a starting point. You may also want to review any comments on the company’s social media pages, as those can sometimes be quite enlightening.

Explore the Content Catalog

In most cases, you can get a solid look at a platform’s course catalog before you commit to spending a dime or signing up. This allows you to see what sort of content is available and see if it has options that meet your needs.

Additionally, it’s an opportunity to determine how current the material the platform offers is overall. If the bulk of the courses are out-of-date or focus on obsolete technologies, it may not be a great choice. In contrast, if the content focuses on relevant, career-boosting topics, you may have found a winner.

Figure Out How Much You Can Commit

Each learning platform (or even each individual course) generally has its own timeline standards. Some offer no time restrictions, allowing students to move entirely at their own pace. Others have rigid schedules, requiring tasks to be completed on or before specific deadlines.

Take some time to see if the time requirements align with your schedule. You don’t want to choose a platform that will leave you feeling rushed or overburdened, as that alone can diminish the quality of the experience.

Ultimately, by using the tips above, you can determine if a digital learning platform meets your needs. If you’d like to learn more, the team at The Squires Group can help. Contact us today.


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