LinkedIn Learning is an online educational platform designed for professional development, offering video courses taught by industry experts in various fields. Here's a detailed look at its history, offerings, and context:
History
- Lynda.com, the precursor to LinkedIn Learning, was founded by Lynda Weinman and her husband Bruce Heavin in 1995. Initially, it was a website providing educational content on web design and technology.
- In 2015, LinkedIn, the professional networking platform, acquired Lynda.com for $1.5 billion to enhance its professional development offerings.
- By 2017, Lynda.com was rebranded as LinkedIn Learning, integrating with the LinkedIn platform to provide personalized learning experiences based on users' professional profiles, interests, and career goals.
Offerings
- LinkedIn Learning provides over 16,000 courses in subjects ranging from business, technology, and creative skills to personal development.
- Courses are available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, and Simplified Chinese.
- Each course includes video lessons, interactive quizzes, reading lists, and practical exercises. Certificates of completion are available for those who finish courses.
- It employs a recommendation engine that suggests courses based on users' skills, job titles, and the skills required for their current or desired roles.
- There are also curated learning paths which guide learners through a series of courses to achieve specific professional goals or certifications.
Integration with LinkedIn
- Users can showcase their completed courses and certifications directly on their LinkedIn Profile, enhancing their professional credentials.
- Learning paths can be customized based on the user's career aspirations, job search activities, and LinkedIn's insights into in-demand skills.
- Employers can use LinkedIn Learning to assign training programs to employees, track their progress, and even integrate the platform with corporate Learning Management Systems.
Context
- The platform's growth reflects the increasing demand for online, flexible learning options in the professional world, particularly in the era of remote work and continuous skill development.
- LinkedIn Learning is part of a broader trend where technology platforms expand into education to meet the needs of their user base for continuous learning and career advancement.
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