In the contemporary, rapid-paced society we inhabit, the pursuit of ongoing education stands as the cornerstone of both individual and career development. Fortunately, with the advent of online education platforms, gaining new skills and knowledge has never been easier. One such platform that has gained immense popularity is Skillshare. In this blog post, we’ll explore what Skillshare is all about and how its online courses can help you unlock your full potential.
What is Skillshare?
Skillshare is an online learning platform that offers thousands of courses on a wide range of topics, from creative skills like graphic design and photography to practical skills like coding and marketing. Founded in 2010, Skillshare has grown to become a thriving community of learners and creators, with over 10 million registered users and more than 35,000 classes available.
Why Skillshare?
Variety of Courses: Skillshare’s extensive library of courses covers almost every area of interest and skill you can imagine. Whether you want to learn a new language, improve your cooking skills, or delve into digital marketing, you’re likely to find a course that suits your needs.
Quality Content: Skillshare courses are created by industry professionals and experts who are passionate about sharing their knowledge. The platform maintains a high standard of quality for its content, ensuring that learners receive valuable and up-to-date information.
Learn at Your Pace: Unlike traditional classroom settings, Skillshare courses allow you to learn at your own pace. You can start and finish courses on your schedule, making it convenient for those with busy lives or irregular schedules.
Affordable Pricing: Skillshare offers a freemium model, which means that you can access many courses for free with a basic membership. Premium memberships unlock unlimited access to the entire library of courses for a reasonable monthly fee, making it an affordable option for continuous learning.
Community and Networking: Skillshare encourages interaction among learners through discussion boards and project sharing. This sense of community can enhance your learning experience and provide opportunities for networking with like-minded individuals.
Project-Based Learning: Many Skillshare courses are project-based, meaning you get to apply what you’ve learned in a practical way. This hands-on approach can be incredibly effective in cementing your skills and knowledge.
Notable Skillshare Courses
Here are a few popular Skillshare courses that have garnered rave reviews:
Illustrator for Beginners: Create an Adorable Animal Portrait: Taught by graphic designer Peggy Dean, this course is perfect for aspiring artists looking to learn Adobe Illustrator from scratch.
Digital Marketing: Social Media Marketing for Business: Instructor Brian Peters shares his expertise in social media marketing, providing valuable insights for businesses and marketers.
Photography Masterclass: A Complete Guide to Photography: If you’re passionate about photography, this comprehensive course by Phil Ebiner will teach you everything you need to know.
Web Development for Beginners: Build a Portfolio Website: Web developer Kevin Powell takes you on a journey to create your own portfolio website, making web development accessible to beginners.
Pros and Cons about skillshare
Certainly, let’s delve deeper into the pros and cons of using Skillshare as an online learning platform.
Pros of Skillshare:
Wide Range of Courses: Skillshare boasts an extensive library of courses spanning various subjects, from creative arts and design to practical skills like coding and business development. This diversity ensures there’s something for everyone.
Quality Instructors: Many Skillshare courses are created and taught by industry professionals, experts, and experienced practitioners who bring real-world insights to the table. This can lead to a high level of expertise in the courses.
Flexibility: Skillshare offers flexibility in terms of when and where you learn. You can access courses on your own schedule, making it suitable for those with busy lives or irregular work hours.
Affordable Pricing: Skillshare offers a free membership option that grants access to a selection of courses. Premium membership, which unlocks the full catalog, is reasonably priced, making it accessible to a wide range of learners.
Project-Based Learning: Many courses on Skillshare are project-based, which means you get to apply what you’ve learned in a practical way. This hands-on approach can be very effective in reinforcing your skills.
Community and Interaction: Skillshare fosters a sense of community among its learners. You can engage with instructors and fellow students through discussion boards, feedback on projects, and more. This networking and interaction can enhance your learning experience.
Skillshare Originals: Skillshare produces its own exclusive content called Skillshare Originals, which often features well-known experts and thought leaders. These courses are unique to the platform.
Cons of Skillshare:
Quality Consistency: While Skillshare maintains quality standards, the experience can vary depending on the instructor. Some courses may be more engaging, informative, and well-structured than others.
Not Ideal for In-Depth Learning: Skillshare is excellent for acquiring practical skills and knowledge quickly, but it may not be suitable for in-depth, academic-level learning on complex topics.
Limited Certification: Skillshare offers certificates of completion, but they may not hold the same weight as traditional degrees or certifications from accredited institutions, which could be a drawback for those seeking formal qualifications.
No Live Support: Skillshare primarily relies on pre-recorded video content, so if you require live instructor support or interaction, you might find it lacking in this aspect.
No Offline Access: Unlike some other platforms, Skillshare doesn’t offer the option to download course materials for offline viewing. This could be inconvenient if you have a spotty internet connection.
Subscription-Based: While the pricing is affordable, Skillshare’s premium membership is subscription-based. If you decide to discontinue your subscription, you lose access to the courses, which could be a drawback for some.
Pricing Plan of Skillshare
Skillshare offered two main pricing plans: a free plan and a premium plan. Keep in mind that pricing and plan details may have changed since then, so I recommend visiting the Skillshare website for the most up-to-date information.
Free Membership:
Cost: Free
Course Access: Limited selection of free courses.
Features:
Access to some classes across various categories.
Ability to create and share projects.
Limited access to the Skillshare community and discussions.
Ad-supported content.
Premium Membership:
Cost: Typically around $19 to $32 per month, depending on the billing cycle (annual or monthly).
Course Access: Full access to the entire library of courses, including premium content.
Features:
Unlimited access to thousands of classes.
Offline viewing on mobile devices (download classes for offline access).
Ad-free experience.
Ability to participate in class projects and discussions.
Access to exclusive Skillshare Originals (exclusive content produced by Skillshare).
Membership can be canceled at any time.
Skillshare Classes Module
Skillshare doesn’t provide an official “classes module” in the sense of a specific software or feature designed for embedding Skillshare classes directly into other platforms or websites. However, Skillshare offers various ways to access and share their classes, which can be integrated into your learning experience or website through links, sharing options, or APIs. Here are some ways you can incorporate Skillshare classes into your learning environment or website:
Direct Link Sharing: Skillshare allows you to share direct links to specific classes or courses. You can simply copy the URL of the class you want to share and provide it to others. When they click the link, they will be directed to the Skillshare website to access the class.
Embed Videos: You can embed individual Skillshare video lessons into your website or blog if the instructor has made them available for embedding. To do this, look for the “Embed” option on the Skillshare video player while watching a class.
Skillshare for Teams: Skillshare for Teams is designed for businesses and organizations to provide access to Skillshare content to their employees or members. It allows you to create a learning program and share specific courses with your team members.
API Integration: Skillshare offers an API (Application Programming Interface) that allows developers to integrate Skillshare content into their applications or websites. This can be a more advanced option and may require technical expertise.
Sharing Classes in Learning Management Systems (LMS): If you use an LMS for education or training, you can share Skillshare class links within your LMS platform for your students or employees to access.
Skillshare Mobile Apps: You can access Skillshare classes on the go by using their mobile apps for iOS and Android devices. This can be helpful for learners who prefer mobile learning.
skillshare courses list
Skillshare’s course categories include:
Creative Arts: Courses on illustration, painting, graphic design, animation, and more.
Photography: Courses on photography techniques, editing, and creative photography styles.
Business: Courses on entrepreneurship, marketing, management, and finance.
Technology: Courses on coding, web development, app development, and IT skills.
Lifestyle: Courses on cooking, fitness, fashion, and personal development.
Writing: Courses on creative writing, blogging, and content creation.
Music and Audio: Courses on music production, playing instruments, and audio editing.
Film and Video: Courses on video production, editing, and storytelling.
Crafts: Courses on DIY projects, crafting, and handmade goods.
Marketing: Courses on social media marketing, SEO, email marketing, and more.
Languages: Courses for learning languages or improving language skills.
Health and Wellness: Courses on yoga, meditation, mental health, and nutrition.
Animation: Courses on 2D and 3D animation techniques.
Productivity: Courses on time management, organization, and productivity hacks.
Illustration: Courses on digital and traditional illustration techniques.
Design: Courses on UI/UX design, interior design, and product design.
Photography: Courses on photography techniques, editing, and creative photography styles.
Teaching and Education: Courses for educators and online teaching.
Science: Courses on various scientific subjects and STEM topics.
Personal Development: Courses on self-improvement, mindfulness, and personal growth.
How To Open A Skillshare Account?
Opening a Skillshare account is a straightforward process. Here’s i will show you step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Visit the Skillshare Website: Open your web browser and go to the Skillshare website. You can access it by typing “www.skillshare.com” into the address bar and pressing Enter.
Sign-Up Page: On the Skillshare homepage, you’ll typically find a “Sign Up” or “Join Skillshare” button. Please click the designated button to initiate the registration procedure.
Choose a Sign-Up Method: Skillshare typically provides two options for creating an account:
Sign Up with Email: You can sign up using your email address. To do this, you’ll need to provide your email, create a password, and agree to Skillshare’s terms and conditions.
Sign Up with Google or Facebook: Alternatively, you can choose to sign up using your Google or Facebook account. If you select this option, Skillshare will ask for permission to access certain information from your Google or Facebook account.
Complete Your Profile: After selecting your preferred sign-up method and providing the necessary information, you may be prompted to complete your profile. This often includes adding a profile picture and specifying your areas of interest.
Choose a Subscription Plan (Optional): Skillshare offers a free membership with limited access to courses. However, they also offer a Premium membership that provides full access to their entire library. You can choose to subscribe to Premium immediately or start with a free membership. If you opt for Premium, you will need to enter your payment information.
Verify Your Email (Optional): Skillshare may send you a verification email to confirm your email address. Check your email inbox and click the verification link to complete the process.
Explore Skillshare: Once you’ve signed up and logged in, you can start exploring the Skillshare platform. Browse courses, search for topics of interest, and begin your learning journey.
That’s it! You should now have a Skillshare account, and you can start taking courses or even create your own content if you’re interested in becoming an instructor.