It can be hard to decide which online learning platform to use. Both Coursera and Skillshare offer a variety of courses, and it can be tough to know which one is the best fit for your needs. Here’s a look at some key differences between the two platforms to help you make a decision.
More About The Two Best Online Learning Platforms
Coursera
Coursera is an online learning platform that offers high-quality courses from top universities and organizations. It has partnered with leading institutions such as Stanford University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Google to offer over 3,000 courses.
Courses cover a range of topics, from creative skills and computer science and business to arts and humanities. Students can take courses at their own pace and earn a certificate upon completion.
In addition to courses, Coursera also offers MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), which are free to anyone who wants to enroll. MOOCs do not provide professional certificates, but they are a great way to learn about new subjects or brush up on old skills.
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Whether you’re looking for a certificate or just want to learn something new, Coursera is a great resource for online learning.
Skillshare
Skillshare is an online learning community for creators. With more than 25,000 classes taught by industry experts, Skillshare helps you develop creative and technical skills to reach your goals.
Skillshare offers Membership Plans for individuals and teams, as well as enterprise plans for businesses. Members can access all Skillshare classes, receive exclusive discounts, and join a community of millions of creatives. Skillshare’s annual membership plans start at $99 per year for individuals and $8.25 per month for teams.
Enterprise plans are customized based on business needs. Skillshare also offers a Free Trial for new members. Skillshare classes are available on demand and can be watched offline.
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Classes are taught by experts in their field and range in length from 20 minutes to 2 hours. Members can also participate in live-streamed events, such as workshops and panel discussions.
Skillshare courses are in a variety of creative and technical fields, such as photography, web development, and graphic design. Classes are taught by industry experts, including New York Times bestselling author David Sedaris, designer Ingrid Fetell Lee, “The Anti-Design Manifesto” author Paul Rand, and CEO of Reddit Ellen Pao.
Skillshare is headquartered in New York City and was founded in 2010 by Michael Karnjanaprakorn and Malcolm Ong. To date, Skillshare has raised $66 million from investors including Sequoia Capital, Bezos Expeditions (the personal investment arm of Jeff Bezos), Union Square Ventures, Kinnevik AB, DailyVee CEO Gary Vaynerchuk, and Scribd CEO Trip Adler.
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The Comparison
Coursera offers more traditional, academic-style courses. If you’re looking for an online version of a college class, Coursera is a good option. The courses are often taught by professors from prestigious universities, and they usually include assignments, quizzes, and deadlines.
Skillshare, on the other hand, focuses on more creative and practical courses. The platform is popular with artists and freelancers who are looking for help honing their skills. The courses tend to be shorter and less structured than those on Coursera.
Another difference is price. Coursera courses are typically more expensive than those on Skillshare. However, Coursera offers free courses and financial aid for those who need it, and there are sometimes discounts available.
Skillshare has a subscription model where you pay a monthly fee to access all of the courses on the platform. This makes it a more affordable cost option if you plan on taking multiple courses.
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How To Choose Between Coursera and Skillshare?
Both online platforms offer a variety of courses, but each has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Here are some factors to consider when choosing between Coursera and Skillshare:
- Topic Selection: Coursera offers a wider range of topics than Skillshare. If you’re looking for a specific course or type of learning, chances are Coursera will have it. However, Skillshare’s more limited selection may make it easier to find the right class.
- Instructor Quality: Coursera is known for featuring well-qualified instructors from top universities and organizations. While Skillshare also has some impressive instructors, Coursera’s overall quality is generally considered to be higher.
- Pricing: Both platforms offer free and paid courses, but Coursera’s pricing is generally more expensive than Skillshare’s. If cost is a major consideration, Skillshare may be the better option.
- Course Length: Courses on Coursera tend to be longer than those on Skillshare. If you’re looking for a quick introduction to a topic or don’t have a lot of time to commit, Skillshare may be the better choice. However, if you’re looking for in-depth learning, Coursera’s longer courses may be worth the investment.
So, consider what you want to get out of a course before making your decision.
Benefits Of Online Learning Platforms
Platforms like Coursera, Skillshare, and other online learning platforms have become increasingly popular in recent years, as more and more people look for ways to further their education without traditional brick-and-mortar schools.
There are several advantages of online course platforms over traditional methods. First, online learning platforms offer a far wider range of learning programs than most colleges and universities. This means that there is likely to be a course available on almost any topic that interests you.
Second, online learning platforms are generally much more affordable than traditional schools. This is because there are no physical costs associated with running an online school, such as buildings and maintenance.
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Finally, online learning platforms offer flexible scheduling, which means that you can study at your own pace and around your own commitments. Whether you’re looking to gain a new skill, revise prior knowledge, or complete a degree, an online learning platform may be the right choice for you.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the best learning platform for you will depend on your needs and learning style. If you’re looking for traditional, academic-style courses, Coursera is a good option.
If you’re interested in creative or practical courses, Skillshare may be a better fit. And if the price is a concern, Skillshare’s subscription model makes it more affordable than Coursera in the long run.