Coursera Review : How It Works & Is It Worth It?

What Is Coursera?

Coursera is an online learning platform that offers courses, certifications, and degrees from universities and organizations around the world. It allows users to take a wide range of classes online, at their own pace, and earn certifications or degrees.

Coursera is an online learning platform that offers courses, certificates, and degrees from universities and organizations around the world. It offers a wide range of subjects, including computer science, business, and the humanities, and it is designed to help people learn new skills and advance their careers.

The platform was founded in 2012 and has since grown to offer over 4,000 courses in various subjects, including computer science, business, and the arts.

Coursera Pros And Cons

Pros of Coursera:

• Wide range of courses: Coursera offers a diverse selection of courses from top universities and organizations around the world.
• Flexibility: Users can take courses at their own pace, making it a great option for busy individuals or those with other commitments.
• Low cost: Many of the courses on Coursera are free to take, and even the paid options are often more affordable than traditional in-person classes.
• High-quality content: The platform partners with reputable universities and organizations to provide high-quality educational content.
• Accreditation: Some courses on Coursera offer verified certificates or degrees, which can be used to demonstrate knowledge and skills to employers or academic institutions.

Cons of Coursera:

• Limited interaction: Some users may find the lack of interaction with instructors and classmates to be a disadvantage of using Coursera.
• Limited access: Some courses may have restricted access, requiring a payment before you can start learning.
• Limited credit transferability: While some Coursera courses do offer credits that can be transferred to other institutions, this may not be the case for all courses.
• Limited hands-on experience: Coursera courses are primarily focused on delivering knowledge through videos, quizzes, and readings. Some students may find it hard to get practical experience.

How Does Coursera Work?

Coursera works by providing online access to a wide range of courses from universities and organizations around the world. Users can browse the available courses and sign up for those that interest them. Once enrolled in a course, users can access the course materials, such as videos, readings, and quizzes, and complete the assignments at their own pace. Some courses have deadlines for assignments and exams, while others are self-paced.

Users can also participate in discussion forums with other students and instructors, and some courses also offer the opportunity to complete peer-reviewed assignments. Upon completion of a course, users may be able to earn a verified certificate or credit that can be transferred to other institutions, depending on the specific course.

Coursera also offers specializations and degree programs that are composed of multiple courses on a specific topic, which may have more requirements and are more expensive than a single course, but also come with more comprehensive learning experiences.

It’s worth noting that some courses on Coursera are free to take, while others require payment for access to certain features or for a verified certificate upon completion.

Coursera Courses Review

Reviews of Coursera courses vary depending on the specific course and the individual user. Overall, many users have found the courses on Coursera to be high-quality and informative. The platform partners with reputable universities and organizations to provide educational content, and many users have found the course materials to be well-organized and engaging.

The flexibility of being able to take courses at one’s own pace is also highly valued by many users. The platform is a great option for busy individuals or those with other commitments as it allows them to learn on their own schedule.

However, some users have found the lack of interaction with instructors and classmates to be a disadvantage. Some users have also reported that the platform’s discussion forums can be less engaging than in-person interactions. Some users have also found that some of the courses are quite dense with information, and may be challenging to complete, especially if users have limited background knowledge on the subject.

Additionally, some users have reported that the quality of the course vary greatly between the free and paid options, with paid options providing more comprehensive learning experiences and more opportunities to interact with instructors and other students.

Overall, Coursera is a great platform for anyone who is looking for a flexible, affordable and high-quality way to learn new skills or gain knowledge in specific fields. It is important to read reviews and check the content of the course before signing up, to make sure it’s the right fit for you.

Coursera Pricing Review

Coursera’s pricing model is based on the concept of “audit” and “verified” courses. Auditing a course means you have access to all the course materials, including videos, quizzes, and assignments, but you will not receive a certificate of completion. Verified courses, on the other hand, provide access to the same materials and also offer a certificate of completion.

The majority of courses on Coursera are free to audit, meaning users can access the course materials and complete the assignments without paying any fee. However, for some courses, some features such as graded assignments, peer-reviews, and a certificate of completion may not be included in the free version.

For those who want to earn a certificate of completion, verified courses are available for a fee, usually between $29 to $99. Some courses also offer financial aid for those who cannot afford the fees.

Specializations and degree programs offered by Coursera are typically more expensive than individual courses and may cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

In summary, Coursera offers a flexible pricing model that allows users to access most of the course materials for free and pay only if they want to earn a certificate of completion, making it a great option for anyone looking to learn new skills or gain knowledge in a specific field without breaking the bank.

Coursera Plus Subscription

Coursera Plus is a subscription service offered by Coursera that gives users access to thousands of online courses from top universities and organizations. With Coursera Plus, users can take as many courses as they want, in a wide range of subjects, for a flat annual fee. The subscription also includes access to the majority of the course’s features, such as graded assignments and peer-reviews, and a certificate of completion upon completion of the course.

The subscription is a great option for individuals who want to take multiple courses or want to access the majority of features of the course. With the subscription, users can take as many courses as they want, rather than having to pay for each course separately.

Coursera Plus also includes access to a subset of Specialization and Professional Certificates, which are multi-course series on a specific topic, typically more expensive than individual courses.

It’s worth noting that not all courses on Coursera are included in the Coursera Plus subscription, and some specialized courses may still require a separate payment. It’s also important to note that the subscription auto-renews on an annual basis, so users need to be aware of that when subscribing.

Overall, the Coursera Plus subscription is a great option for anyone who wants to take multiple courses or gain knowledge in a wide range of subjects, without having to pay for each course separately. It’s a great way to save money and have access to more courses and features.

Coursera Certificates

Coursera offers a variety of certificates to users who complete certain courses or programs on the platform. These certificates can be earned for individual courses, or for completing a series of courses in a specific subject area or program. They can be used to demonstrate to employers or other organizations that the user has a certain level of knowledge or skill in a particular field. Some of the certificates offered by Coursera include:

• Course Certificates: These are awarded to users who complete a single course on the platform. They include the course title and the name of the university or organization that offers the course.
• Specialization Certificates: These are awarded to users who complete a series of related courses in a specific subject area. They include the names of the courses and the subject area, and they can demonstrate a deeper level of expertise in a particular field.
• Professional Certificates: These are awarded to users who complete a series of related courses and a capstone project in a specific subject area. They demonstrate mastery of a specific skill or profession and are intended for professional development.
• MasterTrack™ Certificates: These are awarded to users who complete a series of courses and a final capstone project in a specific subject area. They demonstrate mastery of a specific skill or profession and are intended for professional development.
• Degree Certificates: These are awarded to users who complete a full degree program on the platform. They include the degree title, major and the name of the university or organization that offers the degree.

Note that, some of the above certificate types may require payment.

It’s important to note that while Coursera certificates can be a valuable addition to a user’s resume or portfolio, they are not the same as a traditional degree or diploma from a university. Employers and organizations may or may not recognize them as such.

Coursera FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Coursera:

How much does it cost to take a course on Coursera?

Many courses on Coursera are free to take, but some require payment. Some courses offer a “Signature Track” option, which requires payment and provides a verified certificate of completion. Some courses are part of a Specialization or Professional Certificates which also requires payment.

Is a Coursera course certificate the same as a degree?

No, Coursera course certificates are not the same as degrees. They are a way to demonstrate that a user has completed a course or program on the platform, but they are not recognized by universities or employers as the equivalent of a traditional degree.

Can I download the videos from a Coursera course?

Yes, you can download the videos from most Coursera courses to watch offline. However, this feature is not available for all courses and is subject to change.

Can I audit a course on Coursera for free?

Yes, you can audit most Coursera courses for free. Auditing a course means you can access the course materials, but you will not receive a certificate of completion or be able to submit assignments for grading.

Can I access Coursera courses from my mobile device?

Yes, you can access Coursera courses from your mobile device by downloading the Coursera app for iOS or Android. The app allows you to view course materials, watch videos, and complete quizzes and assignments.

How long does it take to complete a course on Coursera?

The time it takes to complete a course on Coursera varies depending on the course. Some courses are self-paced and can be completed in a few weeks, while others may take several months.

Are Coursera courses taught by real professors?

Many Coursera courses are taught by professors from prestigious universities and organizations around the world. However, not all of them are and some are taught by industry experts or other qualified individuals.

Can I get a refund if I’m not satisfied with a course?

If you are not satisfied with a course, you can contact Coursera’s support team to request a refund. They will review your request and make a decision based on their refund policy.

Is there a deadline to finish a course?

Many Coursera courses are self-paced and do not have a deadline to finish. However, some courses have a fixed start and end date and you will have to finish it within the specified time frame.

Can I get college credit for

It depends on the course and the university or organization that offers it. Some universities may accept Coursera coursework for college credit, but others may not. It’s always best to check with your institution before enrolling in a course.