Learning Platforms

A learning platform is a type of software that enables teachers to create and deliver courses online. It can also be used for education and training, e-learning or digital learning in companies.

Selection of a platform

When choosing a learning platform, you should consider several factors:

The needs of your learners

• What types of learners will use the platform?
• What prior technical knowledge do the learners bring with them?

There are differences between younger and older learners.

The needs of the organization delivering the training

• What types of courses do you want to create?
• Do you want to use the platform for learning only or do you want the platform to enable learning content creation?
• Do you need a platform that meets specific industry standards?

Your budget

• Learning platform prices can range from free to several thousand dollars.
• Is there any budget available to finance additional features (so-called “pro-versions”) for free-to-use platforms?

Advantages of Learning Platforms

For learners, a learning platform provides a convenient way to access courses and training materials from anywhere in the world. The prerequisite: a usable Internet connection.

Furthermore, there are no time restrictions: learners can work with the platform whenever they want and, theoretically, for as long as they want. Likewise, it is possible to learn with content more often.

All this gives learners a high degree of freedom.

Some characteristics of Adult Learning

Learning platforms are playing an increasingly important role in adult education. However, adult learning - aside from continuing vocational training - often differs decisively from the other areas of education.

Here are some typical characteristics that we have come to know over the course of the last few years:

Motivation

Adults are motivated by a desire to learn something simply because they want to be able to do it or because the content interests them. Typical examples are learning a foreign language because they would like to speak it on vacation. Or because a new family member with a migration background has joined the family - for example, through marriage.

Other examples are pottery courses or other topics in the field of leisure. There is a particular interest in computer training with the aim of surviving more easily in the digital society.

Certificate

In many cases, adults do not attach particular importance to a certificate. The reason is quite simple: unlike professional training, they do not need proof that they have successfully completed a course. Nevertheless, certificates do have a certain value: learners can show what they have achieved. This peculiarity often applies to older learners (65+ generation).

Learning Platforms in Adult Education

While younger learners have already been exposed to learning platforms through school and work, this is not the case for many older people. This is particularly noticeable in the 65+ generation.

Mixed courses therefore often pose a challenge because in this mostly inhomogeneous group many of the older learners have to be familiarized with the platform before the actual learning process can begin.

In homogeneous courses with only older learners, basic training on the learning platform must be scheduled at the beginning of the learning process.

In this context, a learning platform that is as simple as possible and can handle multimedia and interactive content is desirable.

Considerations of the InterMedia Project

The Intermedia Erasmus+ Project aims to increase the knowledge and skills in the participating organizations to create and use M&I content, with particular attention to multiple devices and a specific focus on seniors. This includes the use of simple-to-use Learning platforms.

The project team analyzed various platforms that are available free for use. One of the most popular platforms is MOODLE – it is a well-developed and comprehensive platform. Nevertheless, it is in some way complicated to use for inexperienced, freshly instructed learners.

Therefore, the project team checked WordPress as a learning platform. WordPress is currently the most used tool to create webpages and blogs, can be installed easily on rented webspace, and offers features of learning platforms by special plugins.

The project team checked dozens of different installations of various plugins. Finally, the partners selected four plugins for further and deeper going analysis.

Pilot training courses

The project team implemented pilot courses on each of the selected platforms. All platforms contain the same training courses. This makes the platforms comparable.

These pilots use several multimedia tools (and interactive learning content as well). The used tools are:

H5P

H5P is an abbreviation for HTML5 Package. H5P allows users to create, share and reuse interactive content.

CANVA

Canva is the design tool that is ideal for use in education to create appealing graphics, presentations, infosheets, and more.

Animaker

Animaker is an online do-it-yourself animation video maker that brings studio quality presentations within everyone's reach.

Padlet

Padlet is a free online tool that is best described as an online notice board.

PowToon

PowToon is an eTool that creates animated videos for personal, educational, or business/professional use

 

Further information & Sources

WordPress-based Learning Platforms: https://www.intermedia-project.eu/web/wordpress-as-a-learning-platform/

WordPress: Https://www.wordpress.org

Learning Platform Plugins for WordPress

• Masteriyo: https://masteriyo.com/wordpress-lms/
• Tutor-LMS: https://www.themeum.com/product/tutor-lms/
• LifterLms: https://lifterlms.com/
• Learnpress: https://thimpress.com/product/wordpress-lms-plugin-learnpress/