LinkedIn Learning (previously Lynda.com) is LinkedIn’s massive online open course (MOOC) platform that offers over 16,000 courses on business, technology, and creative topics. LinkedIn purchased Lynda.com in 2015 and rebranded it as LinkedIn Learning in 2019.
With LinkedIn Learning, you can advance your career by learning new skills and subjects from industry experts. Courses are available in a variety of formats, including video tutorials, articles, and interactive coding exercises. Subjects range from leadership and management to graphic design and programming languages.
Here’s an overview of how to access LinkedIn Learning courses as a LinkedIn member:
Ways to Access LinkedIn Learning Courses
There are a few different ways to access LinkedIn Learning courses:
Through Your LinkedIn Account
The easiest way to access LinkedIn Learning is through your LinkedIn account. Here’s how:
1. Log into your LinkedIn account in your browser or mobile app.
2. Go to the “Learning” tab located in the top menu bar.
3. You’ll land on the LinkedIn Learning homepage. Search for courses, browse course recommendations, or scroll through the course categories.
4. When you find a course you want to take, click “Take this course” to enroll.
5. You can start and stop courses at any time. Your progress will be saved.
With this option, you can stream courses directly within LinkedIn.
Through Your Company’s LinkedIn Learning Access
If your company offers LinkedIn Learning access as an employee benefit, you can log in through your company portal. Ask your HR department or manager about how to access LinkedIn Learning.
Often, your company will provide a custom URL or single sign-on portal to access LinkedIn Learning. You’ll log in with your work credentials.
By Purchasing a LinkedIn Learning Subscription
You can purchase an individual LinkedIn Learning subscription for full access to all 16,000+ courses. Pricing is $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year paid monthly.
When you purchase a subscription, you’ll create a LinkedIn Learning account separate from your main LinkedIn account. You can log into your LinkedIn Learning account on LinkedInLearning.com.
You can also purchase a subscription by clicking on the “Try Learning for 1 month free” button on LinkedIn Learning. After the free trial ends, you’ll be charged each month until you cancel.
Finding Courses on LinkedIn Learning
Once you’ve accessed LinkedIn Learning through one of the above options, it’s easy to find courses relevant to your goals:
Browse Course Categories
LinkedIn Learning organizes courses into over 15 categories, including Business, Creative, and Technology. Click a category to view subcategories. For example, the Design category includes subcategories like Graphic Design, Web Design, Game Design, and more.
Search for Courses
Use the search bar at the top of LinkedIn Learning to find courses by keyword, topic, software name, creative skill, and more. For example, search “Excel” to find courses on Excel formulas, pivot tables, and other Excel skills.
View Recommended Courses
The LinkedIn Learning homepage displays recommended courses based on your account, interests, and profile information. Scroll through the recommendations to find relevant courses.
Follow Learning Pathways
Learning pathways provide a sequenced set of courses to help you master a new skill from start to finish. They act like a learning roadmap. For example, follow the Become a Web Developer learning path to go from beginner to pro.
Learning Interface and Features
LinkedIn Learning provides a robust learning interface to help you get the most out of your courses:
Course Information and Description
Each course page displays a brief video introduction from the instructor, a written description, key topics covered, course level, and more. This helps you evaluate if a course matches your skill level and interests.
Video Player
Courses use an adaptive streaming video player. You can play/pause videos, adjust speed settings, enable closed captions, jump to sections, take notes, bookmark pages, and more.
Supplemental Resources
In addition to videos, many courses provide cheat sheets, exercise files, quizzes, and other supplemental materials to reinforce your learning. Download resources to practice as you learn.
Progress Tracking
Your course progress is saved across devices. A tracker shows how much of the course you’ve completed so far. Return to where you left off in a previous session.
Mobile Apps
The LinkedIn Learning mobile apps for iOS and Android allow you to download courses for offline viewing. Learn on the go without an internet connection.
Course Discussions
Engage with other learners taking the same course. Ask questions and give/receive feedback through the course discussion board.
Recommendations
The recommendation engine suggests related courses to take next after you finish your current course. This helps you continue building skills in a focused path.
Shareable Certificates
Many courses offer completion certificates that you can showcase on your LinkedIn profile to highlight new skills and achievements.
Tips for Using LinkedIn Learning Effectively
Follow these tips to get the most value out of LinkedIn Learning:
Take Courses Relevant to Your Goals
First, identify your overall objectives – what skills do you want to build or topics do you want to learn about? Then find courses that align. Targeted, goal-driven learning is best for retention.
Mix Different Course Formats
Consume courses in different formats – video, articles, books, etc. Variety helps appeal to different learning preferences and keeps things interesting.
Supplement Courses with Practice
Don’t just watch or read passively. Apply what you learn through practical exercises, projects, or discussions with others taking courses in similar topics. Active application accelerates learning.
Repeat Key Concepts
Repetition leads to retention. Re-watch complex sections of a video tutorial or re-read key passages in an article. Repeating core concepts helps cement them in long-term memory.
Take Notes and Bookmark Pages
Jot down notes to synthesize key takeaways. Bookmark course pages you want to easily reference later. These active learning habits boost understanding and recall.
Conclusion
In summary, LinkedIn Learning is a powerful elearning platform with thousands of courses to help you gain new professional skills and achieve career goals. Access LinkedIn Learning directly through your LinkedIn account, company portal, or individual subscription. Find relevant courses through search and recommendations. Make the most of your learning experience by actively taking notes, practicing concepts, repeating fundamentals, and applying skills in real scenarios. Consistent learning on LinkedIn can pay huge dividends for your career over time.