Learning new skills and developing knowledge is much more than just a stepping stone to getting a new job or career path, it is also what helps keep people happier and more fulfilled in their lives.
It is also important to challenge our minds and maintain strong cognitive function, especially as we start to age.
With increased access to the internet and many affordable educational platforms around, more and more people have the opportunity to carry on with their education. However, what are the disadvantages of Udemy?
This article will discuss 10 pros and cons of using the site Udemy as an online learning platform.
What Is Udemy?
Udemy is an online learning marketplace that allows prospective students to browse and sign up for a number of educational courses. These are done entirely online and at the learner’s own pace.
Once students have created an account and logged in, they can sign up for a number of free and paid courses.
All the courses are managed through a person’s Udemy account, which can also be downloaded as an app for an easy on-the-go way to learn. (For ‘Is Udemy legit?’ click here.)
Students have a variety of lectures, quizzes, readings, and other resources to help them learn as effectively as possible.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using Udemy.
Pros
1. You Can Take The Course At Your Own Pace
Everyone learns at their own pace and many people taking these courses are fitting them around their already busy schedules.
Udemy’s courses allow students to take as long as possible to complete their courses as there is no time frame set.
2. It Has A Wide Range Of Courses
There are currently around 204,000 online courses on Udemy. Instructors of any teaching style can create courses that cover a wide range of topics such as web development, mobile development, digital marketing, and graphic design.
Students can search for anything they like to see if there is a course available for the specific topic. (If you’re interested in how much Udemy courses cost, check out ‘Best Udemy Web Development Courses!‘)
3. There Are Free And Affordable Courses
Although most courses come with a price tag, there are roughly 10,000 free courses. The free courses come from whoever wants to put their material online. (See also ‘Udemy Pricing: Plans And Free Trials [All You Need To Know]‘)
As it’s a marketplace, teachers upload their materials for Udemy to approve and can decide whether they want to make it free to access or not. Free courses still require students to create an account to access these.
4. You Get Lifetime Access To The Material
When students have paid for their courses, this grants them lifetime access to the material by logging into their accounts.
As it may take some people longer than others to be able to go over the course content and answer any questions needed, this is a great feature.
The lifetime access is always great for a little refresher course too. As time passes, sometimes we all need a reminder on various topics, especially if they are complicated and in-depth.
5. You Receive A Completion Certificate
After finishing the paid courses, students receive a certificate of completion. This can be used to verify that the student has undertaken the learning and fulfilled the requirements of the course.
Many people choose to add these to their CVs or LinkedIn Learning profiles.
Demonstrating to potential employers that individuals have taken the time and energy to complete the courses outside of work and education commitments show their dedication to further learning.
This could be the difference between getting a promotion or a job or missing out.
6. Bridge Gaps In Learning
One of the main benefits of taking a Udemy course is learning a new skill or furthering your knowledge in an area.
Have you ever looked at a job application and there is a requirement for software or program that you’ve never used before? This is where Udemy comes in, with different course levels learning can be as in-depth as possible.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Udemy?
Cons
7. It’s Not An Accredited Institution
Udemy is not an accredited institution which means that the organization has not been inspected by an outside source.
As a result, there is no guarantee that the courses taken meet the standards of excellence set by regulating bodies.
Non-accredited courses aren’t always accepted by employers or institutions. Although they can still be added to a CV it doesn’t ensure that employers will accept this as proof of the skill or knowledge.
8. Quality Control Could Be Improved
With the number of courses that are on the website, the levels of quality control can be difficult to maintain. Some courses can slip under the radar and are not held to the same standards as other courses.
The best way to deal with this is to thoroughly read the Udemy review and assess the ratings of the individual courses by other students.
9. Support Isn’t Always Available
The courses are created, owned, and managed by the instructors that have created them. However, instructors can pick and choose the options available for their courses.
For example, with certain free courses students may not be able directly to message an instructor. This also means that students won’t be able to have a Q&A with an instructor either.
Paid courses will have access to these features which gives students a better chance of retaining their learning and receiving help with complicated materials.
10. Course Quality Can Be Inconsistent
Udemy doesn’t create the course content themselves, instructors can upload their materials if they pass the stated criteria. This means that some courses can be great and really useful and others aren’t as well-received.
The courses can vary in length which means some can be extremely in-depth and others are a few hours long. Luckily, Udemy offers a 30-day money-back guarantee with every paid course.
Those that are unhappy with the course they have purchased can get a refund with no questions asked.
The Bottom Line
As with any online learning platform, there are good things and bad things.
With the number of free courses available and the numerous deals often found on the site, it can be an extremely cost-effective way to further one’s education.
