Website: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/
Operating Systems: iOS, Android and Windows
Category: Instructive, knowledge and skill building
Type of Learning: Formal
Learner Needs: Cognitive, affective
Cost: $29.99/month per user or $299.88/year with enterprise discounts available
What it is: LinkedIn Learning offers skill-building courses hosted by experts.
Review: As a Penn State student, we have complementary access to Linked In Learning. I downloaded the app and logged in easily with my PSU credentials. The interface is simple and I can easily search for a topic or software that I want to learn about. The courses are multipart with many containing video demonstrations and transcripts. On my phone, I can even download the course for offline access. The course has a table of content to navigate and the question and answer section in which course attendees can ask questions and answer questions that others have posted. I can set a learning goal, save courses for later access and take a curriculum of courses called a “collection” to achieve advanced training much like a certification.
Why use it? LinkedIn Learning is a robust addition to workplace course offerings. It is expensive, however, when considering the alternative of attending other vendor training on software, it is an extremely cost effective choice. For example, I recently purchased Articulate Storyline. A course through an industry organization like ATD may run me near $1,400. And, LinkedIn Learning would be less than a quarter of that for an entire year’s access. The course variety fills a gap that many organizations have and it allows learners to be self-directed, creating a path to develop themselves over time. The courses are not short, but the topics are broken down into digestible chunks so that I may choose to access a topic or learn about an entire software program. On the app, I’m able to plug in and access my learning at anytime and anywhere. There is limited collaboration between learners in the LinkedIn Learning environment. But, many of the topics are beneficial to people in organizations who are individual contributors in specialized roles that may otherwise not be supported by traditional workplace training offerings. The app supports adult learners needs to be self-directed, internally motivated and ready to learn. It also would contribute to identity development, specifically due to the course paths that may be taken to develop skills related to a career the learner would like to move into.
Risks: Limited as user interaction is specific to discussion boards.