Whether you’re looking to advance your career or simply spend your time productively during quarantine, taking online classes can make you a more well-rounded person. They give you the opportunity to take classes that interest you but don’t necessarily fit into your school schedule. Thanks to technology, there are a wide variety of websites that offer these classes. This fact can also make it daunting to figure out which website and class is right for you and your interests. Weighing the pros and cons of these sites is a crucial way to decide what works best for you, your budget, and your schedule.
1. Google Partners
Google is known as a leading search engine, but it has expanded to offer more services such as email, a web browser, and even electronic devices. Most businesses and organizations do business with Google when it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), which helps them rank higher on search engines, leading to more traffic to the site. This leads to more customers – whatever a “customer” is to that organization. These organizations can choose to purchase digital ads through Google, which helps them drive traffic. This is the basis of Google Partners , a learning platform that teaches people how to manage digital ads and AdWords.
BENEFITS:
The courses are free and you will receive a certificate at the end of each course. These courses can help you gain the knowledge you need to pursue a new career. This is a great way for you to learn more about a possible new career while gaining recognition from a highly regarded company.
THE DISADVANTAGES:
These courses are only for businesses that work to sell and manage their clients’ listings. Individuals are not eligible for these courses, according to the site’s terms and conditions, unless they want to have their own business that handles listing management. For people who want to learn more about this type of thing without being affiliated with a company, Skillshop is the best. However, even with Skillshop, you will have to renew your certification every year.
2. LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn is the premier social media site for building professional connections. Even if you choose not to use courses, you should definitely create a LinkedIn account to help advance your career and meet those in your field. LinkedIn Learning , formerly Lynda Learning, is a platform that offers courses on a variety of topics related to the skills you may need.
BENEFITS:
LinkedIn Learning offers a wide variety of courses on a bunch of different topics. These courses can be useful for the workplace, whether you want to improve your communication skills or specific software. After you complete a course, you will receive a course acknowledgement on your LinkedIn profile and receive a certificate. This way, you can show your current and/or future employers that you are passionate about learning new things and show off what you know.
THE DISADVANTAGES:
If your company or university doesn’t cover your LinkedIn Learning fees, you’ll have to pay for the service. If you have to pay out of pocket, the cost is $25 per month. However, you can check with your school to see if they cover alumni. If you’re working, see if your company would consider at least partially reimbursing you, or see if your local library offers a way to access the courses.
3. Khan Academy
You may already be thinking about your schedule for next semester. If you’re taking upper-level science, math, or even humanities classes, you may be worried that you won’t be prepared, especially if you’ve struggled with lower-level courses in the subject. You may also be thinking about taking a graduate school entrance exam and are looking for help . Luckily, Khan Academy has tools and resources for these types of things and more.
BENEFITS:
Khan Academy is a nonprofit organization that seeks to provide students with a free, world-class education, no matter where they are. All aspects of Khan Academy are free, with no catches. The courses are designed to help you learn and fill in any gaps you may have that are preventing you from succeeding at higher levels in the subject or to review things you may have missed at the beginning of the semester. The site also offers a variety of practice resources for some of the most common college entrance exams.
THE DISADVANTAGES:
While anyone can join Khan Academy and take the courses, most of these courses are geared toward elementary school students. This can make the courses seem like they’re talking to your intelligence if you’re an older student. Additionally, while you do receive badges, you don’t receive certificates for completing the course.
