Online education platforms have become more popular over the last few years, but the global COVID-19 pandemic has taken the need for remote learning to the next level.

Whether you want to teach a course or pick up a new skill, online education platforms can help you do that from the comfort of your home. Here, we'll explore how online learning platforms have been shaped over the course of a pandemic, as well as how you can take advantage of these increasingly popular resources.

How Have Online Teaching Platforms Grown in 2020?

As the entire world dealt with stay-at-home orders and job loss in 2020, on-demand learning boomed.

Udemy, a popular marketplace for courses, issued a press release in April 2020, stating that enrollment had increased by 425 percent, course creation had risen by 55 percent, and business and government use of the site was up 80 percent. This massive growth can be attributed to the following changes that took place during the pandemic.

Schools Took to the Internet With Remote Learning

Around the world, many universities and K-12 education systems transitioned to remote or hybrid learning models and began hosting classes on centralized websites or by using video conferencing programs.

At the elementary and secondary levels, platforms like Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Edmodo, and Moodle vied for the top spot in learning management systems.

Workplaces Upped Their Games With On-Demand Training

With lockdowns in place and positions that needed to be filled, employers implemented remote onboarding strategies for new employees. Ongoing training and professional development moved online too. It will be interesting to see whether these changes will be temporary or permanent in the coming years.

Individuals Pivoted by Learning New Skills Online

After recovering from Netflix-induced states of delirium, many people decided to use quarantine to learn at least one new skill. From cooking to copywriting and marketing, many people took courses for pleasure, and to improve their resumes.

Course Creation Skyrocketed

In the last several years, with the increasing gig economy and remote work options, course creation has been booming. People have begun looking for passive streams of income and course sales fit the bill.

Types of Online Teaching and Learning Platforms

Online teaching and learning possibilities are endless, limited only by the creativity of teachers. Whether you are a visual or an auditory learner, there are courses for you.

Courses are becoming more interactive and more media intensive. Oftentimes, you can download audio or video lessons. Plus, many course creators offer free membership to peer groups on social media, like Facebook or LinkedIn Groups.

That said, online courses are largely split into two categories: live and self-paced. Let's go over both.

Live Classes

We don’t generally think of Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams as education platforms, but live video conferencing is an ideal way to provide face-to-face training and professional development—especially when it’s not practical to meet in person.

Self-Paced

On many platforms, you can purchase a course and log on to complete it whenever you are available. You may find text-based or multimedia courses on individual or company websites, as well as on college or university websites.

How Can You Use Online Education Platforms?

Online education platforms aren't just there to help you learn something new. Thanks to the pandemic, people have gotten creative when it comes to using these helpful tools. Here are some other ways you might want to use online education platforms.

Homeschool Your Kids

If you’ve chosen to homeschool your kids, you can find a multitude of online or self-paced classes. You can also sign up for an entire curriculum, like Time4Learning, and supplement that with video lessons and virtual field trips.

Pivot Your Career

If you’ve recently lost your job, now might be the best time to try something new. Depending on your education and experience, maybe you can teach English to students in another country, use your math skills to tutor high school students, or provide piano lessons from the comfort of your own conservatory.

You can use simple video conferencing software, like Zoom, to conduct your work. Alternatively, you could join a company that does the hosting and finds the clients for you, like VIPKid or QKids.

Develop a Course

You’ve got skills! If you’re ready for a career change, offer your knowledge to others. If you’ve got the writing chops, you can write and sell course content yourself. If not, you can always work with a freelancer to get the job done.

Either way, use an online platform like Teachable or Udemy to sell your course and earn a passive income as long as the course is running.

The Best Sites for Online Learning

If you want to start honing a new skill, there are many online arenas available for online learning. Check out these sites when you are ready to enroll.

1. Skillshare

Screenshot Skillshare

At Skillshare, get a free unlimited seven-day free trial. There are many free classes available, and it’s only $99/year for unlimited access. Skillshare focuses on courses for creatives like art, music, and photography, but you’ll also find business and management courses in its lineup.

2. Coursera

Screenshot Coursera

This platform hosts individual post-secondary courses, programs, and degrees with new additions every month. Prices vary by course or specialization. You can try Coursera out for seven days at no charge. Students can also enroll in one free course per year.

Related: The Best Sites for Free College Courses Online

3. Udemy

Screenshot Udemy

Udemy claims to have the world's largest selection of online courses, with over 130,000 to choose from. Individual course prices vary widely, from about $13 to several hundred dollars, but there are many free courses to try. Sign up for the newsletter and watch for sales, as great courses are often discounted highly.

4. Teachable

Screenshot Teachable

Here, you’ll find entrepreneurs selling courses and coaching services. Watch for sales and check its Free for a Limited Time section regularly. There are plenty of subjects to choose from, including classes about business, course creation, and even sourdough baking.

5. LinkedIn Learning

Screenshot LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning, formerly known as Lynda, tailors course recommendations to you based on your LinkedIn profile. You can get a premium membership for $29.99 per month. Annual membership is discounted and your first month is free.

6. edX

Screenshot edX

The edX mission is to “increase access to high-quality education for everyone, everywhere." With over 120 institutional partners, this nonprofit open-source platform is sure to have courses that will interest you.

7. Codeacademy

Screenshot Codeacademy

If you’re ready to go all-in on technology, Codeacademy might be the site for you. You can take individual courses or enroll in career paths. Basic membership is free and you’ll pay $19.99/month for a Pro account. However, students enrolled in higher education can get a 35 percent discount.

8. Khan Academy

Screenshot Khan Academy

Any list of online courses should include Khan Academy because it is completely free. Course offerings include curriculum from pre-kindergarten through post-secondary. The Khan Academy touts itself as “a nonprofit with the mission to provide a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere”.

Take Your Learning Up a Notch

Whether you are looking to develop a hobby or want to prepare for a new career, you’ll find unlimited options for learning online. If there's one good thing that came out of the pandemic, it's the fact that online learning platforms have become more diverse than ever.