In the ever-expanding landscape of online learning, one platform stands out for its pioneering efforts and significant contribution to the world of eLearning - Alison. With over 14 million learners and 2 million graduates across the globe, Alison has undeniably left its mark. But does it truly deliver a worthwhile educational experience? Let’s dive into an honest review of this eLearning platform.
The company has been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, GQ, The New York Times, Yahoo News, BBC News, and more.
What is Alison?
Alison is an Ireland-based free online learning platform that offers certificate and diploma courses across a wide range of disciplines. Its mission, to enable anyone, anywhere, to study anything for free, is indeed a lofty goal. With a diverse selection of courses ranging from language learning to project management, from health studies to digital marketing, Alison opens up a world of learning opportunities for its users.
At a glance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| A wide variety of courses across multiple disciplines. | The quality of courses can vary significantly. |
| Most courses are completely free. | The platform relies heavily on ads, which can be distracting. |
| Course material is accessible on any device with an internet connection. | To avoid ads, users have to pay for a premium subscription. |
| Provides the opportunity to earn certificates or diplomas. | Certificates and diplomas are only available for a fee. |
| Easy-to-use interface, suitable for learners of all ages. | Some users may find the website’s design a bit outdated. |
| The online community provides a chance to interact with other learners. | Community interaction may not be as active on some less popular courses. |
What is Alison’s working method?
Learning at Alison is divided into three areas: Academics, Workplace, and Personal Development.
As soon as you’ve selected your Study Area, you’ll need to select your Study Sector.
Depending on your needs, you can choose either Primary, Secondary, or Third Level instruction, which covers kindergarten through higher education.
You can choose Job Role Training for upskilling for a specific role or Formal Learning for preparing for professional exams and trade assessments.
You can select either Activities & Hobbies or Personal Improvement under Personal Development.
Courses can take anywhere from 2-3 hours to 18-20 hours, depending on the field you’ve selected and your learning goals.
Course Quality and Variety
One of the key strengths of Alison is the sheer variety of courses on offer. Whether you want to hone a specific professional skill, explore an academic subject, or just learn something new for fun, there’s likely a course for you.
While the course quality can vary, many are developed by field experts and organizations, ensuring a robust and comprehensive learning experience. Each course is broken down into manageable modules, often accompanied by assessments to reinforce learning.
Does Alison have a US accreditation?
According to the site, over 50% of Alison students (globally) found a job or were promoted because of their studies.
However, Alison same as most online training platforms is not accredited in a US or elsewhere.
Alison is for whom?
From kindergarten to retirement age, Alison Courses has something to offer everyone because it offers academic, professional, and personal courses.
You’re sure to find something that tickles your brain cells (in a healthy way) and helps you with your next step into the wonderful world of knowledge if you check out Alison Courses.
Accessibility and Usability
Accessibility is a key feature of Alison. Most of its courses are accessible on any device with an internet connection. The interface is intuitive, making it easy for learners of all ages to navigate the platform and begin learning straight away.
However, Alison’s choice to keep its courses free means they rely heavily on advertising for revenue. This results in frequent ads that can disrupt the learning process. This can be overcome by opting for the premium subscription, which removes ads and offers additional benefits like discounts on certificates.
Certification
Alison offers both free learning and paid certification. After course completion, learners can choose to purchase a certificate or diploma as proof of their achievement, which can be an attractive point for job-seekers or those looking to add value to their professional credentials.
The pros and cons
- Courses that are free
- Easy to use
- Quality content
- There is a wide variety of courses to choose from
Some cons include:
- Ads can be removed by paying
- Users of iOS may not be able to use it
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Can Alison diplomas be recognized in the USA?
If you presented a certificate from Alison, US employers would not call you a liar, but they’d prefer a candidate with certification from an accredited institution, or from a certification authority that they are more familiar with.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Alison is a pioneering force in the eLearning industry. It offers a wide variety of courses, is accessible, and fosters a strong learning community. Despite the occasional inconsistencies in course quality and the ad-heavy experience for free users, Alison’s commitment to offering free learning resources is commendable.
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