Best 9 Online Learning Platforms for Students
Education is pivotal in shaping your children's futures. Beyond the confines of traditional classrooms, online e-learning platforms offer an unparalleled wealth of educational content.
Reports indicates that over 27 million students engage with e-learning websites daily. Not only do online e-learning platforms provide remarkable educational content, but they also make studying enjoyable for kids. However, the abundance of options can make choosing the perfect e-learning websites for your child daunting. To ease this process, we've curated a list of the top 9 online learning platforms for students. Let's dive in.
Our Top Pick for Online Learning Platform
Online learning platforms are digital hubs that offer a wealth of educational resources tailored for students. If you're looking for the finest e-learning online platform for your children, your search ends here. Below are the best picks for students:
1Starfall
Starfall, one of the best online learning platforms, is specifically designed for students in kindergarten through grade 5. With the e-learning platform, your child can master the art of reading and writing in English in a split second. If your kid's sense of arithmetics is poor, the site is also for you as it contains an array of mathematical subjects.
Thanks to the songs and animated movies on the site, your kids will be highly entertained while learning vigorously. It also includes educational games and books to elevate your children's academic standards.
Best for: K-5 students
Subjects: Reading, Math, and English
Pricing: $35 - $355 per year
Pros
- Has entertainment activities
- No ads
- Free to experience
Cons
- Limited free content
2 ABCMouse
Launched in 2010 by Edtech, ABCMouse is an electronic portal that seamlessly offers educational content for children between the ages of 2 and 8. With over 850 lessons across four main curricula (math, science, social science, and art), this US-based e-learning site will transform your child's learning experience.
The platform incorporates games, animations, and puzzles that entertain kids while fostering their critical thinking skills.The award-winning site also features books and songs to enhance reading and writing skills. It prioritizes your child's safety, being free of pop-ups, and complying with the Child's Online Protection Act (COPPA).
Best for: K-8students
Subjects: Reading, Math, Science, Art & Color, and Social Studies
Pricing: $12.99 per month
Pros
- Offer a free trial
- Contains no pop-up
- Has entertainment activities
- Backed by COPPA
Cons
- A bit expensive
3Khan Academy
For kids struggling with mathematics, Khan Academy is the best platform for you. As an inclusive e-learning platform, it offers a complete math curriculum from pre-K through 12 grade.
Khan Academy goes beyond math, offering over 8000 short video lessons across various subjects, from computing, economics, reading, and language arts to science and life skills. The platform also provides numerous self-accessible prep tests for reinforcement after each study session. What's even more impressive is that Khan Academy is entirely free.
Best for: K-12 students
Subjects: Reading, Language arts, Math, History, Computing, Economics, and Science
Pricing: Free
Pros
- Offers prep tests
- Free access
- Has a complete math curriculum
- Available in numerous languages
Cons
- Tailored specifically for the US audience
- Doesn't offer a certificate
4IXL
The inclusion of IXL on this list is no coincidence; it's genuinely one of the premier online e-learning platforms available. With an extensive user base of over 15 million worldwide, IXL not only offers funny quizzes but also provides video tutorials across various subjects, complemented by numerous case studies and webinars.
Notably, it tailors students with weekly studying plans to strengthen their knowledge. Even though IXL allows users to experience the platform for free, to have full access to its skills, you need to grab a membership.
Best for: K-12 students
Subjects: Language art, Science, Social science, Math, and Spanish
Pricing: $9.95-$19.95 per month
Pros
- Unlimited learning materials
- Offer a wide range of subjects
- Free to access standard features
Cons
- A bit pricey
- Quizzes include repetition
5Epic
Epic offers a valuable resource for children aged 12 and below. With a vast library of over 40,000 fiction and non-fiction books, accompanied by audiobooks and dictionaries, Epic enriches your child's learning and reading experience. Beyond books, Epic provides access to engaging educational videos spanning various curricula, including science, language arts, and social studies.
Most amazingly, this platform includes a parental dashboard letting you monitor your child's learning activities easily.
Best for: Grade 1-5 students
Subjects: Language arts, Social studies, Science, and History
Pricing: $11.99 per month or $79.99 per year
Pros
- Offers free trial
- Wide range of subjects
- Has parental dashboard
- Has audiobooks and quizzes
Cons
- Not easy to access
6CoolMath
Since its inception in 1997, CoolMath has transformed the landscape of online math learning. This website caters to a diverse global audience, from students in grades 1 through 8th grade. CoolMath offers comprehensive written mathematical tutorials covering various topics, including pre-algebra, algebra, prime numbers, pre-calculus, and more.
Beyond tutorials, users gain access to practical mathematical tools such as calculators, unit converters, a math dictionary, and quizzes, all free of charge. Conversely, the platform includes ads that may redirect you to other sites. So, you must be careful while navigating the platform.
Best for: Grade 1-8 students
Subjects: Mathematics
Pricing: Free
Pros
- Offers diverse mathematical tools
- No Subscription is required
- Covers a wide range of mathematical topics
- Offers fun while learning math
Cons
- Contains pop-up ads
7Study Jams
For young science enthusiasts, Study Jams is a must-visit platform. Offering a collection of study videos, or 'jams', in science and mathematics, the platform also provides engaging content on topics like the carbon cycle, water cycle, photosynthesis, volcanic eruptions, and more, all at no cost. Interestingly, each animated video is designed to capture kids' attention, with test exercises at the end of each lesson to enhance proper understanding.
Study Jams goes beyond videos; it also has songs on popular topics in physical science. Notably, this e learning website doesn't require registration, so you can rest assured that no one will steal or harvest your kids' data.
Best for: Grades 1-8 students
Subjects: Science and Math
Pricing: free
Pros
- Free lesson videos
- Has test exercises
- Excellent entertainment activities
Cons
- Limited subject range
8Prodigy
For students seeking an engaging online learning experience, Prodigy is a must-try. This digital game-based learning platform offers games spanning various topics in mathematics and English. The math games cater to students in grades 1 through 8, while the English games are ideal for those in grades 1 through 6.
While registration is required, Prodigy prioritizes the safety of your data through compliance with COPPA. The platform has free and paid account options. Additionally, the subscription model differs from many other sites on this list as it requires separate purchases for the English and Math games.
Best for: Grades 1-8 students
Subjects: Math and English
Pricing: $6.25 - $8.33 per month
Pros
- Backed by COPPA
- Free to play
- Games from the standard curriculum
Cons
- Low-resolution games
- Focuses on games more than math teaching
9LinkedIn Learning
Formerly known as Lynda.com, LinkedIn Learning is a subscription-based online platform boasting over 27 million members. Though it is primarily designed for career advancement, it holds significant value for students, especially those in their final years of college or university.
The platform offers over 16,000 courses from different courses, ranging from business, technology, and creative. The exciting thing about the platform is that experts in the field teach classes, and certificates are awarded upon successful completion of your program.However, the subscription could be more pricey.
Best for: College students
Subjects: Technology, Business, and Creative
Pricing: $19.99 per month
Pros
- Award certificates
- Unlimited courses across different curricula
- Courses taken by experts
- Offer a free 30-day trial
Cons
- Not ads-free
- Certificates not accredited
What to Look for in Choosing an Online Learning Platform
With many online learning sites in today's educational landscape, selecting the ideal one for your child is more complex than it may seem. Several factors come into play, and we'll delve into these crucial considerations below.
The Platform Should be Easy to Navigate for Students
Like any digital platform, e-learning websites must be easy to navigate on all devices, whether PCs or smartphones. The interface must be friendly to everyone, including the students, teachers, or parents, not one with illegible or complex icons.
The Platform Should be Clear About What Age They're Geared For
One thing about every online e-learning platform is that each of them has its target audience. You can barely see an online learning site that caters to students of all ages. Before deciding, check the e-learning websites' age recommendations to know if they fit your kid's standards. If you're not sure, we've listed the best age ratings for each e learning website.
The Online Platform Should be Safe
Most online learning sites collect student data during registration, so prioritizing safety features is crucial in your decision-making process. Opt for platforms with no ads or pop-ups and ensure they hold licenses from reputable agencies, such as the Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Among our picks, ABCMouse and Prodigy are backed by COPPA.
The Platform Should Have Good Features
The most effective online learning platforms for students have remarkable features, including analytics tools for tracking learning progress and performance monitoring.In this aspect, Khan Academy and Epicstand out. Surely, if you wanna track your kid's progress, Epic is a better choice.
How to Utilize Online Learning Sites for Your Child
Now that you know the best online learning platforms and how to choose them, let's look at the top 3 ways to use them.
Set up a Dedicated Learning Space with Minimal Distraction
A dedicated space with minimal distraction encourages organization and helps students to concentrate or focus better on their studies. Imagine what will happen when your child is studying from this e-learning site, and notifications from other apps start popping up.
Creating a dedicated learning space with minimal distraction is straightforward. Just use tools like AirDroid Parental Control to block or turn off distracting apps during study sessions. Additionally, consider implementing AirDroid Browser on your child's phone, and then you can create a URL whitelist, ensuring your child can access only the sites you've approved for their study sessions.
Establish a Consistent Schedule for Online Learning
Like physical learning environments, successful online learning thrives on establishing a consistent schedule. This fosters discipline, reduces procrastination, and provides a structure for your studies. A consistent schedule helps optimize your engagement with the learning site by creating a routine that promotes better time management.
Involve in the Learning Process
Active parental involvement ensures your child benefits from this online e-learning platform. By participating in their learning process, you'll give them confidence and guidance during challenging tasks. Consider dedicating a few hours each week to join your child during online study sessions for an even more enriching learning experience.
Wrapping Up
This blog has highlighted the best online learning platforms for students and critical considerations to guide your selection process. By embracing these platforms and factors, you empower your children with diverse and enriching educational opportunities for a well-rounded learning experience.
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