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What are the most popular web platforms for online education and MOOCs?

Isabell Symonds

When it comes to online education and MOOCs, there are several popular web platforms that have gained recognition over the years. These platforms provide learners with access to high-quality educational content and are often used by millions of users worldwide. In this response, I will highlight some of the most popular web platforms for online education and MOOCs.

First on the list is Coursera. Founded in 2012 by two computer science professors at Stanford University, Coursera offers users access to over 4,000 courses across various fields. The platform has partnerships with top universities such as Yale and Princeton, making it a top choice for many learners. Coursera offers both free and paid courses, with the latter usually coming with extra perks such as certification. Coursera is also known for its specialization programs, which involve a series of courses focused on a particular topic.

Next up is edX. Established in 2012 by Harvard and MIT, edX offers users access to over 2,500 courses across various subjects. The platform has over 36 million users and partnerships with some of the world's top universities such as the University of Oxford and Tsinghua University. Similar to Coursera, edX offers both free and paid courses, with the paid courses offering certification and graded assignments. edX also boasts a robust series of MicroMasters programs, which are comprehensive graduate-level programs taught by top universities.

Third on the list is Udacity. Founded in 2012 by three computer science professors, Udacity offers users access to over 200 courses across various fields. Unlike Coursera and edX, Udacity focuses primarily on technical and vocational courses such as machine learning and data science. Most of Udacity's courses are paid, but they come with various perks such as personalized feedback and project reviews. Udacity also offers Nanodegree programs, which are focused, project-based curriculums designed to prepare learners for a particular job role.

Fourth on the list is Khan Academy. Established in 2005 by educator Salman Khan, Khan Academy offers users access to over 10,000 videos and exercises across various academic subjects. The platform has a strong focus on K-12 education and is used by both learners and educators alike. Khan Academy is entirely free and relies on donations to keep the platform running.

Last but not least is Udemy. Established in 2009 by Eren Bali, Udemy offers users access to over 155,000 courses across various subject areas. Unlike the other platforms on this list, Udemy is primarily a marketplace for course creators to sell their courses to learners. This approach has led to a wide range of course offerings, from technical courses to niche courses such as astrology. Udemy's courses are mostly paid, but they often come with discounts and lifetime access.

In conclusion, the five web platforms highlighted in this response are among the most popular for online education and MOOCs. Each platform offers unique features and benefits, making them ideal for different types of learners. From Coursera's vast selection of courses to Udemy's marketplace of courses, there is something for everyone looking to learn online.