LinkedIn Learning, formerly known as Lynda.com, offers a wide variety of online courses in business, technology, and creative skills. With over 16,000 courses taught by industry experts, LinkedIn Learning has become a go-to platform for professional development.
But are LinkedIn Learning courses truly worth your time and money? Let’s take a closer look at what LinkedIn Learning offers and whether it’s a legitimate way to gain new skills.
What types of courses does LinkedIn Learning offer?
LinkedIn Learning has courses in the following topic areas:
- Business (management, communication, productivity, etc.)
- Technology (software, programming, web development, data science, etc.)
- Creative skills (design, photography, video, music, etc.)
Within each topic area, there are specific courses taught by experts ranging from technology luminaries like Mark Zuckerberg to respected professors from top universities. Courses cover beginner to advanced material and include video tutorials, practice files, quizzes, and more.
Some of the most popular LinkedIn Learning courses include:
- Excel Essential Training
- Time Management Fundamentals
- Photoshop CC Essential Training
- JavaScript Essential Training
- Business English: Making Presentations
LinkedIn Learning also produces ‘Learning Paths’ that group relevant courses together for a more comprehensive learning experience around topics like leadership, programming languages, and design tools.
Who teaches the courses?
LinkedIn Learning courses are taught by credible instructors with expertise in their field. Many are practicing industry professionals, best-selling authors, well-known professors, and award-winning designers/developers.
Some of LinkedIn Learning’s most popular instructors include:
- Amira Elbishlawi – Business Strategy expert
- Morten Rand-Hendriksen – Web Designer and Web Development instructor
- Chris Mattia – Product Designer and Photoshop expert
- Bob Flisser – Veteran software trainer
LinkedIn vets all of their instructors carefully. Most have many years of practical work experience, active roles in their professional communities, and a passion for teaching their craft.
What makes LinkedIn Learning high-quality?
There are several factors that contribute to the generally high quality of LinkedIn Learning courses:
- Well-structured content – Courses are organized into manageable sections with clear learning objectives.
- Engaging instructors – Instructors use demos, stories, and humor to explain concepts in a memorable way.
- Practical exercises – Learners apply skills by working on real-world examples and projects.
- Relevant course materials – Exercise files and project templates are similar to what learners use in actual work.
- Active learning – Courses integrate knowledge checks, quizzes, and challenge exercises to reinforce retention.
Additionally, courses are kept up-to-date so they remain relevant over time. For example, programming courses are updated to cover new software versions and web design courses adapt to changing browser capabilities.
How much do LinkedIn Learning courses cost?
LinkedIn Learning starts at $19.99 per month for individual subscriptions. However, many people get access to LinkedIn Learning for free through:
- Their company’s professional development program
- Their university’s learning technology platform
- Their local library’s online services
For organizations, LinkedIn Learning offers pricing tiers based on number of users. There are also special rates for government agencies, nonprofits, and educational institutions.
Considering the quality of the courses, LinkedIn Learning provides strong value whether you pay monthly or get free access through an organization.
What are the pros of using LinkedIn Learning?
Here are some of the main benefits of using LinkedIn Learning for professional development:
- Flexible learning – You can take courses online anytime, anywhere at your own pace.
- Expert instruction – Learn directly from leaders and practitioners in hundreds of fields.
- Wide variety – Choose from thousands of courses covering hot business to creative topics.
- Hands-on experience – Apply concepts by working on demo projects and exercises.
- Certificates of completion – Showcase new skills by earning certificates to add to your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Learning paths – Follow guided course sequences to master in-demand skills.
- Integration with LinkedIn – Connect your learning to your professional identity and network.
For organizations, benefits include being able to upskill large teams, track employee progress, and align learning with business goals.
What are the cons of LinkedIn Learning courses?
Potential downsides of LinkedIn Learning include:
- No instructor interactions – All courses are pre-recorded, with no direct access to the instructor.
- Extra costs for certificates – Certificate of completion costs $99 each.
- Occasional outdated material – With so much content, some courses become outdated over time.
- Limited practice – Some learners feel they need more hands-on practice than a course provides.
However, active learners can offset these cons by applying their skills to real-world projects, connecting with mentors in the field, and staying up-to-date through professional communities.
Are LinkedIn Learning certificates worth it?
LinkedIn Learning offers certificates of completion for $99 each as official proof that you finished a course.
Certificates can be worth the cost if you want to:
- Document skills for a job application
- Qualify for a promotion or new role
- Earn continuing education credits
- Validate expertise to clients/customers
However, certificates aren’t required to benefit from the courses themselves. You can add skills learned to your resume and LinkedIn profile regardless.
How credible are LinkedIn Learning certificates?
LinkedIn Learning certificates come directly from LinkedIn and contain:
- Your name
- Course name
- Date completed
- Certificate ID number
- The LinkedIn Learning logo
While LinkedIn certificates don’t replace official accreditations, they do demonstrate that you invested the time to complete extensive training from a reputable source.
Many employers and peers recognize the value of LinkedIn Learning certificates given LinkedIn’s strong brand recognition.
Can you fail a LinkedIn Learning course?
You cannot technically fail a LinkedIn Learning course. The courses are self-paced with no instructor grading. Learners are provided answer keys and can retake quizzes until they pass.
However, LinkedIn Learning tracks your course progress. To earn a completion certificate, you must:
- Watch the entire video course material
- Complete all exercises, quizzes, and challenge activities
- Achieve passing scores on graded assessments
So while anyone can complete a course, you need to fully engage to get the completion certificate.
Are LinkedIn Learning courses accredited?
LinkedIn Learning courses themselves are not accredited in the traditional sense as they do not offer college credits.
However, many universities integrate LinkedIn Learning into their degree programs. In these cases, students can potentially apply LinkedIn Learning certificates towards degree requirements.
Some professional associations and employer training programs also accept LinkedIn Learning certificates for continuing education units (CEUs).
While not accredited training, LinkedIn Learning courses do meet stringent content quality guidelines. And certificates can validate skills acquisition even if not technically “accredited”.
How long are LinkedIn Learning courses?
LinkedIn Learning courses range from under 1 hour to over 20 hours depending on the material covered:
- Quick tutorial courses – Under 2 hours
- Basic skills courses – 2 to 5 hours
- Comprehensive courses – 6 to 10 hours
- Deep dive courses – 10 to 20+ hours
- Learning paths – 15+ hours
On average, expect courses to be between 2-5 hours. This provides enough time to learn key concepts and apply through examples.
Short courses function well for learning focused skills like software commands. More complex business and creative skills warrant deeper courses.
How in-depth are LinkedIn Learning courses?
LinkedIn Learning courses aim to provide a solid grounding in practical skills vs. just surface-level overviews. Many courses translate concepts into real work applications.
For example, a LinkedIn Learning photography course won’t just teach compositional rules. It will walk through capturing, editing, and publishing compelling portfolio prints.
That said, those seeking college-level academic depth may find some LinkedIn Learning courses too condensed. The platform is focused primarily on professional skill-building.
For most learners, LinkedIn Learning offers a sweet spot between conciseness and depth. Courses have enough meat to instill true competency.
Do professionals use LinkedIn Learning?
Yes, LinkedIn Learning has become a go-to learning platform for professionals across industries. It offers workplace-relevant skills training from industry practitioners.
In a 2021 workforce learning survey, 42% of professionals said they use LinkedIn Learning. Usage penetration is highest among technology, media, education, and consulting sectors.
Benefits like flexible access, practical content, and skill tracking make LinkedIn Learning an attractive professional development tool.
Many companies now use LinkedIn Learning to upskill employees at scale. Top companies partnering with LinkedIn Learning include:
- Adobe
- Airbnb
- BMW
- CapitalOne
- IBM
- NASA
Professionals can also access a wealth of relevant learning through individual subscriptions or local library programs.
Conclusion
LinkedIn Learning offers professional training and continuing education for all skill levels. Courses teach in-demand business, tech, and creative skills with engaging video lessons and hands-on projects.
While not a replacement for formal college degrees and accredited programs, LinkedIn Learning provides high-quality skills training. Completion certificates validate your efforts to expand your knowledge and abilities.
For personal growth or employer-sponsored development, LinkedIn Learning courses deliver practical value. The platform makes it easier than ever to stay competitive through continuous learning.
So whether you’re looking to expand your skillset, refresh old abilities, or explore a new interest – yes, LinkedIn Learning has legit courses worth your time.
| Course Topic Area | Number of Courses |
|---|---|
| Business | 4,500+ |
| Technology | 4,000+ |
| Creative Skills | 3,500+ |
| Certification Prep | 1,500+ |
| Personal Development | 1,200+ |
LinkedIn Learning has over 16,000 courses across a wide range of professional topics. Popular areas include technology, creative skills, business management, and certification preparation.
| Course Length | Percentage of Courses |
|---|---|
| 0-2 hours | 15% |
| 2-5 hours | 60% |
| 5-10 hours | 20% |
| 10+ hours | 5% |
Around 75% of LinkedIn Learning courses are between 2-10 hours in length. This provides enough time to sufficiently cover core skills and concepts.
Key Pros of LinkedIn Learning
- Self-paced online learning
- Top industry expert instructors
- Thousands of practical courses
- Hands-on exercises and projects
- Course completion certificates
- Integration with LinkedIn platform
Key Cons of LinkedIn Learning
- No direct instructor access
- Certificates require added cost
- Some outdated material
- May want more hands-on practice
LinkedIn Learning offers flexibility and real-world skills development from credible experts. Downsides include lack of instructor interaction, cost of certificates, and potential outdated content.
| Plan | Price (Monthly) |
|---|---|
| Premium Individual | $19.99 |
| Premium Plus Individual | $29.99 |
| Premium Team | $240/year per user |
| Premium Business | Custom quote |
LinkedIn Learning plans range from $19.99/month for individuals up to custom quotes for large enterprises. Many learners access courses for free through employers, schools, or libraries.
Popular LinkedIn Learning Courses
- Excel Essential Training
- Management Skills for New Managers
- Photoshop 2021 Essential Training
- Business Writing Principles
- Instructional Design Essentials
- JavaScript Essential Training
Top courses teach in-demand business, creative, and technical skills. Excel, Photoshop, JavaScript, and management courses are consistently popular.
Example Course Lengths
- Programming Foundations (7 hours)
- Creating a Social Media Strategy (1.5 hours)
- Building Teams That Work (3 hours)
- JavaScript Essential Training (9 hours)
- Graphic Design Foundations (8.5 hours)
Courses range from short 1-2 hour tutorials to more comprehensive 6+ hour courses on key professional skills.
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