How do you compare online learning platforms?

1 Define your purpose and objectives

Before you start comparing online learning platforms, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with them. What are your learning or teaching outcomes? What are your preferred methods and formats of delivery and assessment? How much time and resources do you have to invest in online learning? How do you measure the impact and quality of online learning? By defining your purpose and objectives, you can narrow down your options and focus on the platforms that align with your vision and expectations.

2 Compare the features and functions

Online learning platforms offer a variety of features and functions that can enhance the learning experience and facilitate the management and administration of online courses. For example, you may want to compare how easy it is to create, upload, edit, and organize your own content or use existing content from other sources. Additionally, you can evaluate the types of content supported, such as text, audio, video, images, animations, etc. Moreover, you can assess how you can communicate and interact with your learners or instructors, such as through email, chat, video conferencing, forums, etc., and how you can enable and support group work, peer feedback, and social learning. Moreover, you should consider how you can design, deliver, and grade assessments; provide feedback; monitor the progress and performance of your learners or instructors; make the platform accessible for learners or instructors with different needs; and ensure compatibility with different devices.

3 Evaluate the quality and reliability

When evaluating an online learning platform, you should consider its security and privacy measures, such as encryption, authentication, and backup. It is also important to ensure that the platform complies with relevant laws and regulations, like GDPR and COPPA. Additionally, you should assess the level of customer service and technical support offered, as well as how frequently and smoothly the platform updates and maintains its features. Lastly, you should look at reviews and ratings from existing and previous users, as well as the platform's credibility and reputation in the online learning market.

4 Test and trial the platforms

The best way to compare online learning platforms is to test and trial them yourself. Most platforms offer free trials, demos, or samples that allow you to explore and experience their features and functions. By testing these platforms, you can get a firsthand impression of the user interface and user experience, check the compatibility and functionality with your own devices, browsers, and operating systems, experiment with the content creation and curation, communication and collaboration, assessment and feedback, and tracking and reporting features and functions. Additionally, you can ask questions and seek feedback from the platform's customer service and technical support.

5 Compare the costs and benefits

The costs and benefits of online learning platforms can vary greatly, depending on the features and functions, quality and reliability, and user base and reputation. When considering an online learning platform, you should take into account the subscription and licensing fees, as well as any additional or hidden costs. It is also important to consider the return on investment of using the platform, such as increased learning outcomes, improved learner satisfaction, or reduced administrative burden. You may want to calculate the return on investment through a cost-benefit analysis.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?