What Is Brilliant?
Brilliant, also known as Brilliant.org on the internet, is an online learning platform that has been designed and developed to focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) related topics. But, is Brilliant worth it?
The platform offers well over 60 courses that provide users with an interactive learning experience.
It offers education pertaining to topics as simple as basic geometry and other foundational math concepts, to software development, quantum computing, and cryptocurrency.
The program claims to be suited for anyone from the age of 10 to 110, which speaks to the range of subject matter that is being taught.
Brilliant was founded in 2012 by Sue Khim, an American education entrepreneur.
Since its inception, it has grown into an internationally known platform that is home to over 4 million users.
This online learning platform boasts a well-built team of course creators and educators who have helped to structure and deliver the wide range of educational content that Brilliant provides.
From award-winning teachers and professors to professionals that have worked at MIT, Microsoft, and Google – Brilliant has a highly reputable group of contributors behind it.
Who Is Brilliant For?
Brilliant is an educational platform that has been strategically developed to cater to people of quite literally all ages.
The official Brilliant.org website clearly states that the program and subject matter provided is suited for individuals of age 10 to age 110.
Brilliant is designed for virtually anyone – from students and professionals to individuals who have completed their formal education but are dedicated to being lifelong learners.
Users can pick and choose what kind of content they are looking to pursue, and can truly benefit from the unique learning process that the platform provides.
If you are someone who enjoys problem-solving, critical thinking, and challenging problems that are offered through an interactive, immersive, and ultimately hands-on experience, then Brilliant is perfect for you.
Even casual learners who are simply looking to keep their minds active will find so much value in everything that the programs have to offer.
The platform’s focus is on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math), which are topics that may have previously not been the most pleasant to learn about. It’sa great platform for anyone who has struggled to learn STEM subjects using more traditional methods.
Brilliant offers a new and exciting way for people of all ages to reconnect with these important subjects and actually enjoy learning about them and developing critical thinking skills!
Brilliant isn’t only designed to benefit students and individual learners.
It actually also offers free educational plans for teachers and educators alike.
The platform gives educators access to interactive lesson plans, problem-solving regimens, useful classroom tools and so much more! In order to apply for an education account, they are simply required to complete the signup form and survey, so that their specific needs are understood.
Once the application has been accepted, teachers can choose up to 6 courses to use while enjoying the unlimited supply of related daily challenges.
They can then proceed to invite their students and begin utilizing the interactive platform for their own teachings!
In order to be eligible for application, you must be an educator in a legitimate classroom and be able to verify your education status with documentation.
Course Availability
One of the great things about Brilliant is the sheer variety of all the courses and subject matter available on the platform.
They offer extensive coverage of some of the most important areas of interest in today’s world.
Instead of trying to offer content in too many areas and underdelivering, they have decided to provide education in four of arguably the most important subjects that apply to the real world.
Here is a brief look at some of the interactive lessons available on the Brilliant platform:
Data Science Courses
- Knowledge and Uncertainty
- Introduction to Neural Networks
- Algorithm Fundamentals
- Data Structures
- Random Variables & Distributions
- Statistics
- Machine Learning
General Science Courses
- Classical Mechanics
- Electricity & Magnetism
- Special Relativity
- Quantum Objects
- Quantum Computing
- The Chemical Reaction
- Computational Biology
- Solar Energy
- Astrophysics
Software Development Courses
- Computer Science Fundamentals
- Algorithm Fundamentals
- Programming with Python
- Data Structures
- Introduction to Neural Networks
- Computational Biology
These courses are designed to teach the foundations of Computer Science and enhance problem-solving skills. Users will start by learning algorithms and programming. They will then move on to more intermediate subjects like neural networks, and then finally into advanced topics like Quantum Computing.
Foundational Math Courses
- Pre-Algebra
- Geometry Fundamentals
- Mathematical Fundamentals
- Algebra Fundamentals
High School Math Courses
- Algebra 1
- Algebra 2
- Geometry 1
- Geometry 2
- Probability Fundamentals
- Statistics Fundamentals
- Random Variables & Distributions
- Pre-Calculus
Statistics & Finance Courses
- Applied Probability
- Perplexing Probability
- Casino Probability
- Math for Quantitative Finance
- Cryptocurrency
Engineering
- Trigonometry
- Pre-Calculus
- Scientific Thinking
- Calculus in a Nutshell
- Classical Mechanics
- Differential Equations
- Multivariable Calculus
- Solar Energy
- Computational Biology
Course Quality
In terms of course quality and the effectiveness of the education structure, Brilliant is definitely known for creating and providing high-quality learning.
Each course comes with a detailed course description that users can read before diving in.
It will highlight the topics that will be covered and also inform learners as to any prerequisite courses or knowledge they may need.
The number of interactive quizzes, concepts, and exercises are all stated.
These descriptions provide a great indicator for prospective learners to determine whether the course is right for them or not.
When it comes to vouching for the actual quality of the courses, the amount of sheer talent and expertise that the Brilliant team delivers is an important factor.
The educators and teachers that have contributed to developing and building the variety of courses offered on the platform come from highly regarded backgrounds.
Course creators include award-winning teachers, experienced specialty researchers, and professional educators from highly reputable institutions like MIT, Microsoft, and Google (see also ‘Are Google Certificates Worth It?‘)
Alongside this collection of course creators and collaborators is a quality team of producers, software engineers, illustrators, data analysts, customer experience managers, and more.
These individuals come together to deliver the content that the course creators compile, in a way that is streamlined, accessible, and immersive.
Together, the Brilliant team has grown into a well-oiled machine that works in tandem to deliver a truly unique learning experience for its users.
The quality of the educational courses available on the platform is definitely something to be praised.
Does Brilliant Offer Certificates?
For some people, the potential to obtain accreditation in the form of certificates or other credentials providing rewards is important when taking online courses.
Brilliant does not offer any certificates for completion of their coursework.
The platform has not been designed to provide credentials that will help with career development or resume building in regard to accolades, etc…
If certification is something that you are looking for in an online course program, there are a number of platforms that can provide it!
How Do Employers See Brilliant Courses?
As previously discussed, Brilliant does not offer anything in terms of certification for completing their courses and related coursework.
As a result, employers will likely not recognize Brilliant courses as having any sort of substantial credibility toward your skills or knowledge of a particular industry.
However, you can definitely apply the knowledge and expertise you have acquired through Brilliant’s courses in order to impress potential employers!
Cost Of Brilliant Subscription
Brilliant does offer a free account option, however, it is very limited and only allows previews of courses.
The Premium option provides unlimited access to all 60+ courses, as well as an offline mode on their mobile app and guided courses. There are three different Brilliant Premium subscription plans for customers to choose from:
- Monthly Plan: $24.99 per month
- Annual Plan: $149.85 per year (works out to $12.49 per month)
- Group Plan: Groups of 3+ – $299.89 per year (works out to around $10 per month)
Can I Get Brilliant For Free?
The Brilliant platform does offer a 7-day free trial of Brilliant Premium once a user has signed up.
One thing to remember, however, is that the 7-day free trial must be activated within two days of registering.
You will need to input your payment details, but you have the option to cancel and incur no further charges before the trial period ends.
You can also get Brilliant for free by having it gifted to you by someone else.
You can receive either a 1-year subscription or the Lifetime access subscription as a gift!
Is Brilliant Worth It?
The simple answer here is that yes, Brilliant Premium is definitely worth it.
The platform not only provides immersive, hands-on learning opportunities but delivers education on subjects that are applicable to the digital work market.
Not only can users learn and/or brush up on basic concepts like Algebra and statistics, but can also dive into high-level subjects like computer science, quantum computing, and cryptocurrency.
The incredible roster of course creators who have helped deliver all of this educational content ensures that everything you are learning is up-to-date and optimized for modern-day society.
Users can be confident that they are learning from people who are more than qualified to be teaching!
If you are unsure if Brilliant is worth it for you, the 7-day free trial provides a great way to test out the platform without investing a dime!
Resources:
- Brilliant.org
- Reddit.com
