At Skill-Invest, we are all about the reinforcing individual’s specific learning style to make sure no one is forced to learn outside of their comfort zone. In keeping with this mission, we offer our primary resource, the Platform Summaries page in a few formats.
Straight to the Point
Here we offer snack-sized reviews of our twelve favorite online IT education platforms. Each “nano-review” includes a superlative for the platform along with a major pro and a major con. If you know exactly what you’re looking for, maybe you need go no further. But if you need more information, our DIVING A LITTLE DEEPER section offers a more about which resource may be best for you.
Udacity – Best for Nanodegree Programs
- In Short: Comprehensive and practical online learning for IT professionals with industry-aligned projects.
- Major Pro: Focuses on practical skills and real-world projects to enhance job readiness.
- Major Con: Can be relatively expensive compared to other online platforms.
Coursera – Best for University-Backed Courses
- In Short: Offers courses from top universities with a wide range of IT specializations.
- Major Pro: Provides a diverse selection of IT courses from renowned universities.
- Major Con: Some courses may have fixed start and end dates, limiting flexibility.
Pluralsight – Best for Skill-Based Learning
- In Short: Provides a vast library of skill-based courses for IT professionals.
- Major Pro: Focuses on skill development with hands-on exercises and assessments.
- Major Con: May not offer as many academic or certification-focused courses.
LinkedIn Learning – Best for Professional Development
- In Short: Offers IT courses for career growth and professional development.
- Major Pro: Provides personalized course recommendations based on individual career goals.
- Major Con: Limited interactive elements and hands-on exercises in some courses.
edX – Best for Academic Courses
- In Short: Offers IT courses from prestigious universities, focusing on academic content.
- Major Pro: Provides rigorous academic courses with a focus on theory and research.
- Major Con: Some courses may have set start and end dates, limiting flexibility.
CodeAcademy – Best for Coding and Programming
- In Short: Offers interactive coding courses for IT professionals with hands-on coding practice.
- Major Pro: Provides an engaging and interactive learning experience for coding and programming.
- Major Con: May not cover other IT domains beyond coding and programming.
Udemy – Best for Affordable Courses
- In Short: Offers a wide range of IT courses at affordable prices.
- Major Pro: Provides a vast library of courses on various IT topics with lifetime access.
- Major Con: Quality of courses can vary since anyone can create and publish courses.
Treehouse – Best for Web Development
- In Short: Offers comprehensive web development courses for IT professionals.
- Major Pro: Focuses on web development skills with practical projects and interactive quizzes.
- Major Con: Limited coverage of other IT domains beyond web development.
Linux Academy – Best for Linux and Open Source Technologies
- In Short: Offers in-depth Linux and open source technology courses for IT professionals.
- Major Pro: Provides specialized courses on Linux and open source technologies with hands-on labs.
- Major Con: May not cover a wide range of IT topics beyond Linux and open source technologies.
DataCamp – Best for Data Science and Analytics
- In Short: Offers data science and analytics courses for IT professionals with practical projects.
- Major Pro: Focuses on data science and analytics skills with a hands-on learning approach.
- Major Con: Limited coverage of other IT domains beyond data science and analytics.
AWS Training and Certification – Best for Cloud Computing
- In Short: Offers comprehensive training on Amazon Web Services (AWS) for IT professionals.
- Major Pro: Provides in-depth courses on cloud computing with a focus on AWS technologies.
- Major Con: Limited coverage of other cloud computing platforms beyond AWS.
Google Cloud Training – Best for Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
- In Short: Offers specialized training on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) for IT professionals.
- Major Pro: Provides in-depth courses on GCP technologies with practical labs and case studies.
- Major Con: Limited coverage of other cloud computing platforms beyond GCP.
Diving a Little Deeper
Here we offer bulleted items for the same twelve education platforms above, followed by a link to an in depth review. This review discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the platform via three main points and also expands on the pros and cons.
Udacity
As an online learning platform, Udacity offers a wide range of courses and programs tailored for IT professionals. Here’s a review highlighting five pros and five cons of Udacity.
Pros
- Industry-Relevant Content
- Hands-on Learning
- Flexibility and Self-Paced Learning
- Expert Instructors and Support
- Career Services
Cons
- Cost
- Limited Course Offerings
- High Focus on Projects
- Lack of Live Interaction
- No University Credit
Click here for the full UDACITY IN DEPTH REVIEW and the UDACITY HOMEPAGE
Coursera
Coursera is a popular online learning platform that offers a wide range of courses, including many relevant to IT professionals. As an IT professional myself, I have used Coursera extensively and here is my review of the platform, highlighting its pros and cons.
Pros
- Comprehensive Course Catalog
- Flexibility and Convenience
- Interactive Learning Experience
- Professional Certificates and Specializations
- Community and Networking Opportunities
Cons
- Cost
- Course Quality Variation
- Limited Interaction with Instructors
- No University Credit
- Overwhelming Course Choices
Click here for the full COURSERA IN DEPTH REVIEW and the COURSERA HOMEPAGE
Pluralsight
As an online learning platform, Pluralsight offers a wide range of courses designed specifically for IT professionals. With its extensive library of content and interactive learning tools, Pluralsight aims to provide a comprehensive learning experience for individuals seeking to enhance their IT skills. Here are five pros and five cons of using Pluralsight as an online learning platform for IT professionals.
Pros
- Vast Course Library
- Quality Content
- Interactive Learning Tools
- Flexible Learning Options
- Learning Paths and Skill Assessments
Cons
- Cost
- Quantity over Quality
- Limited Interactivity
- Lack of Live Instructor Interaction
- Limited Networking Opportunities
Click here for the full PLURALSIGHT IN DEPTH REVIEW and the PLURALSIGHT HOMEPAGE
Linkedin Learning
As an online learning platform, LinkedIn Learning offers a wide range of courses specifically designed for IT professionals. With its extensive library of courses taught by industry experts, it aims to provide IT professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their careers.
Pros
- Diverse Course Selection
- Quality Instruction
- Flexibility and Convenience
- Bite-sized Learning
- Interactive Learning
Cons
- Limited Interactivity
- Subscription-Based Model
- Limited Depth in Some Courses
- Less Interactive Community
- Limited Practical Application
Click here for the LINKEDIN LEARNING IN DEPTH REVIEW and the LINKEDINLEARNING HOMEPAGE.
Code Academy
Code Academy is a popular online learning platform that offers interactive coding courses for IT professionals of all levels, from beginners to experienced developers. As a user of Code Academy, I found both pros and cons to the platform’s offerings.
Pros
- Interactive learning
- Wide range of programming languages
- Gamified learning
- Real-world projects
- Community support
Cons
- Limited depth of content
- Lack of real-time feedback
- Pricey subscription
- Limited industry-specific content
- Self-paced learning may require discipline
Click here for the full CODE ACADEMY IN DEPTH REVIEW and the CODE ACADEMY HOMEPAGE
Udemy
As an online learning platform, Pluralsight offers a wide range of courses designed specifically for IT professionals. With its extensive library of content and interactive learning tools, Pluralsight aims to provide a comprehensive learning experience for individuals seeking to enhance their IT skills. Here are five pros and five cons of using Pluralsight as an online learning platform for IT professionals.
Pros
- Vast Course Library
- Quality Content
- Interactive Learning Tools
- Flexible Learning Options
- Learning Paths and Skill Assessments
Cons
- Cost
- Quantity over Quality
- Limited Interactivity
- Lack of Live Instructor Interaction
- Limited Networking Opportunities
Click here for the full UDEMY IN DEPTH REVIEW and the UDEMY HOMEPAGE
EDx
As an online learning platform, EDx offers a wide range of courses for IT professionals seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge in the field of information technology. Here are the pros and cons of using EDx as an online learning platform for IT professionals:
Pros
- Diverse Course Selection
- Renowned Institutions
- Flexibility
- Interactive Learning
- Professional Certificates
Cons
- Cost
- Course Completion Deadlines
- Lack of Personalized Feedback
- Technical Issues
- Limited Hands-On Practice
Click here for the full EDx IN DEPTH REVIEW and the EDx HOMEPAGE
Treehouse
Treehouse is a comprehensive online learning platform for IT professionals that offers a wide range of courses, emphasizes practical learning, and provides a supportive community. However, it may have limited advanced courses, certifications, and industry-specific content, and the pricing may be a consideration for some users. Overall, TreeHouse can be a valuable resource for IT professionals seeking to gain practical skills and knowledge in various IT fields.
Pros
- Comprehensive Course Catalog
- Hands-On Learning Approach
- Engaging Learning Experience
- Learning Tracks and Career Paths
- Supportive Learning Community
Cons
- Limited Advanced Courses
- Limited Certifications
- Limited Industry-Specific Courses
- Limited Interaction with Instructors
- Pricing
Click here for the TREEHOUSE IN DEPTH REVIEW and the TREEHOUSE HOMEPAGE.
Linux Academy
Linux Academy is a popular online learning platform that offers a wide range of courses targeted towards IT professionals. As an avid learner in the IT field, I have had the opportunity to explore and evaluate LinuxAcademy as a platform for advancing my technical skills.
Pros
- Comprehensive Course Catalog
- Hands-On Learning Approach
- Learning Paths and Assessments
- Community and Support
- Flexibility and Accessibility
Cons
- Pricing
- Limited Non-Technical Courses
- Limited Language Options
- Course Updates
- Limited Certification Coverage
Click here for the LINUX ACADEMY IN DEPTH REVIEW and the LINUX ACADEMY HOMEPAGE.
Datacamp
Datacamp is an online learning platform that offers a wide range of courses focused on data science, data analysis, machine learning, and programming. It is designed to cater to IT professionals who want to enhance their skills or learn new technologies.
Pros
- Comprehensive Course Catalog
- Interactive Learning Experience
- Gamified Learning
- Flexible Learning
- Practical and Applied Learning
Cons
- Limited Depth in Advanced Topics
- Lack of Live Instructor Interaction
- Focus on Python and R
- Limited Hands-on Projects
- Subscription-based Model
Click here for the DATACAMP IN DEPTH REVIEW and the DATACAMP HOMEPAGE.
AWS Training and Certification
AWS Training and Certification is a widely recognized and popular online learning platform that offers a wide range of training and certification courses for IT professionals. As a cloud computing platform, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has become an industry leader, and their training and certification program aims to provide IT professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in the field.
Pros
- Comprehensive Course Catalog
- Hands-on Learning
- Flexible Learning Options
- Industry-Recognized Certifications
- Learning Resources
Cons
- Cost
- Fast-paced Updates
- Prerequisites
- Limited Interactivity
- Exam Difficulty
Click here for the AWS T&C IN DEPTH REVIEW and the AWS T&C HOMEPAGE.
Google Cloud
Google Cloud Training is an online learning platform that offers a comprehensive curriculum for IT professionals to learn and master the skills required for working with Google Cloud technologies. As a leading cloud service provider, Google Cloud offers a wide range of training courses, certifications, and resources to help IT professionals gain expertise in cloud computing.
Pros
- Comprehensive Curriculum
- Practical Hands-On Labs
- Industry-Recognized Certifications
- Flexible Learning Options
- Community Support
Cons
- Cost
- Fast-Paced Updates
- Prerequisites
- Limited Support for Non-English Speakers
- No Live Support
Click here for the GOOGLE CLOUD TRAINING IN DEPTH REVIEW and the GOOGLE CLOUD TRAINING HOMEPAGE.