When a school, corporation, or learning provider is developing an e-learning course the end of the process is not just composing the modules. There is much more work that needs to be done afterwards depending on the purpose of the course. In order to plan for that activity there are a few questions that you need to ask yourself at the very beginning. Who is my target group? Do I need to translate the course and in how many languages? What is the difference between simple translation and e-learning localization? What is an e-learning platform and how do I choose one? Which learning management system is best suited for my project? We are trying to be as helpful as possible and give you some of the answers in a series of posts sharing the benefits of e-learning localization and some tips on how to make it successful. There is no universal solution as each customer’s case is specific. Hopefully, we can assist those who want to start their e-learning business in making an informative decision by presenting you five of the best e-learning platforms available.

What are E-learning Platforms?

E-learning platforms are the modern digital substitutes of the traditional classroom. They are the place where your e-learning course is hosted and allow you to share and upload files, videos, chat with the participants, grade their work, etc. The e-learning platforms are divided into three types: learning management systems, social media, and conferencing software. Schools and companies usually use a mixture of the three for their online courses. Learning management systems (LMS) are the most preferred option due to the numerous features and opportunities they provide. We can compare them to virtual classrooms where students learn through lectures or discussions, receive tasks, submit papers, and get grades. LMS allow the sharing of videos, audio, slideshows, PDF files, etc. They are a suitable media for readings, activities and even quizzes. There can be an instructor or facilitator who runs the course but it is also possible for participants to do the separate modules alone at a time that suits them best. The best thing about LMS is that training can be done at any time and on any device and therefore, are preferred by companies, educational institutions and private learning providers.

LMS can be web-based or hosted locally. Some of the best cloud-based LMS are Adobe Captivate Prime, Docebo LMS, Talent LMS, the academy LMS, and ExpertusOne. Some of the open-source LMS feature Moodle, Eliademy, and Forma.LMS, which are free of charge and some of them have paid premium options with more features.

The social media platforms offer chat rooms and support online learning communities. A teacher can establish a group on Facebook, for example, where they can ask questions or assign tasks and the learners provide their answers and interact with one another. Multimedia can be used with these platforms and learning can take place at any time and on any device. The main disadvantage is that there is no way to track and analyze the effectiveness of the training.

The web conference software, which is the third type of e-learning platforms, allows online conference calls, videoconferences, webinars, live chats, and classes. The teaching process is done in real time and allows higher participation and engagement. It is suitable for smaller groups and even individual training. Since it is live, however, it is not appropriate for learners who are located in different time zones.

In summary, we can say that a successful e-learning platform contains all the necessary elements for efficient learning such as the possibility to exchange different file types, track the learning progress, grade the assigned tasks, interact with all the participants, and be affordable in terms of pricing. Below are five of the best e-learning platforms available on the market.

Academy of Mine

Academy of Mine is one of the best platforms for creating and selling online courses. Its price varies from $199 to $449 per month depending on the plan. This platform is an all-in-one solution which allows a complete course creation and is an efficient learning management system. Using Academy of Mine you can create timed quizzes, issue certificates or badges, give assignments. There is also a chat forum. The platform is suitable for anyone who wants to sell videos, audio, or text courses. It is easy to navigate and has great marketing tools. A small drawback might be the relatively high price.

Teachable

Teachable is a popular e-learning platform that combines a good list of features at rather low rates. In addition to the free plan, the platform price ranges from $29 to $299 per month. Teachable is mostly focused on branding and uniqueness. It has a multi language support and an integrated blog, which is an opportunity to improve your SEO. Teachable allows you to create a beautiful website either working with your existing site or creating new pages via the platform using an intuitive drag-and-drop builder. You can entertain your learners with quizzes and discussion forums. The platform also features powerful marketing and analytic tools. It supports all types of media and the learners have access to the e-learning course on different devices.

Udemy

Udemy urges you to teach the world online, share your knowledge, inspire millions and monetize your expertise. The platform is free of charge but you pay 50% of your sales profit if Udemy brings you a student. This is the most popular e-learning platform for creating and selling online courses with large networks that will attract students and boost your sales. Naturally, you will find mixed reviews of the platform online. It is quite suitable for people who want to save some money as nothing is paid upfront. The main focus of Udemy is on selling video lessons, however the platform allows you to upload PDF and audio files as well.

Ruzuku

Ruzuku is a platform for those who would like to teach amazing courses that people will love. It comes packed with features at a price from $79 to $149 per month. The course management is quick and easy. Students can track their performance throughout the course and have the opportunity to chat with other participants. Ruzuku platform can be integrated with MailChimp and send automated e-mails with notification of new courses. It supports video, audio, and PDF and allows you to run webinars and use live chat. In summary, this platform is easy to use and is suitable even for people with limited technical knowledge.

WizIQ

WizIQ comes with a free plan and free trial or a paid option for $83 per month. The platform has some unique features and provides two solutions: the online academy and the virtual classroom. The first one is used mainly for posting videos and other files that you want to sell. Students can access them at any time to do tests, check assessments, or share documents. There is an interactive white board as part of the course management that is used for sharing and mobile learning is also a plus. The virtual classroom, on the other hand, is used for video and audio calls, breakout rooms, and live chat. The main plus of WizIQ is that it provides a free plan option and also allows you to interact with students in real time. There is a possibility to sell an e-learning course for more if it gives students the opportunity to speak with the instructor over the phone or in a video call.

If you have chosen a platform and want your e-learning course to reach a broader audience, here at ICD Translation we know how to help you. Contact us today and get the best translation services to boost your e-learning project.