LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com) vs. Renaissance myON

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)
Score 8.2 out of 10
N/A
Lynda.com (now offered as part of LinkedIn Learning) is an elearning course library acquired and now supported by LinkedIn in May 2015.N/A
Renaissance myON
Score 9.8 out of 10
N/A
myON is a digital reading platform that provides students with 24/7 access to thousands of fiction and nonfiction books and news articles—in English, Spanish, and additional languages. A multimedia reading experience with colorful illustrations, professionally recorded audio, and annotation tools makes each text engaging and unique. Built-in close reading tools, customizable literacy projects, and a large collection of nonfiction titles support lesson plans centered on reading and writing…N/A
Pricing
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)Renaissance myON
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)Renaissance myON
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)Renaissance myON
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)Renaissance myON
Learning Management
Comparison of Learning Management features of Product A and Product B
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)
8.4
7 Ratings
1% below category average
Renaissance myON
8.8
3 Ratings
4% above category average
Course authoring9.06 Ratings9.12 Ratings
Course catalog or library9.07 Ratings9.13 Ratings
Player/Portal9.07 Ratings9.12 Ratings
Learning content10.07 Ratings9.13 Ratings
Progress tracking & certifications10.07 Ratings9.13 Ratings
Learning reporting & analytics8.06 Ratings9.13 Ratings
Social learning8.05 Ratings9.12 Ratings
Gamification7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
eLearning Content
Comparison of eLearning Content features of Product A and Product B
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)
8.0
1 Ratings
7% below category average
Renaissance myON
-
Ratings
Multi-Lingual Support8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Structured Learning9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Course Searches7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Historical Metrics8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
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LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)Renaissance myON
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Medium-sized Companies
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Score 9.9 out of 10
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Score 9.9 out of 10
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Score 9.9 out of 10
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Score 9.9 out of 10
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User Ratings
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)Renaissance myON
Likelihood to Recommend
9.8
(34 ratings)
7.1
(12 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
9.6
(3 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
3.1
(12 ratings)
7.8
(3 ratings)
User Testimonials
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)Renaissance myON
Likelihood to Recommend
LinkedIn
I've learned hundreds of software applications over the last several decades, and trained teams in offices and one-on-one. At one point, books and trade magazines were a great way to get up to speed with an application, but they've become less and less effective for getting started. Video lessons have some strengths; you can get a rapid overview of a program's capabilities and watch an experienced user using its tools efficiently. On rare occasions they'll even point out bugs that could trip you up, but I wish instructors shared more of those issues. However, it takes a very self-motivated learner to sit through training sessions. Most people don't fit that category, and a subscription may end up gathering dust like a pandemic gym membership. My account is sometimes dormant for months, but then I'll be watching lessons continually the following month. I've often wondered if it was worth it for that reason. I have some friends that voraciously devoured class after Lynda.com class, and built successful careers on that training. But many others never use their account. It's helpful to consider whether you're a self-motivated learner. If not, it may not be the best format for you. More complicated software often can't be adequately introduced in a several-hour-long series of videos. I found Final Cut Pro (7) hard to learn online, also Logic Pro. Other somewhat complicated programs like DVD Pro were a snap to learn, and I learned a lot about PHP and Actionscript programming from Lynda.com. Some web and graphics software is exceptionally explained by real experts, such as Lynda's Photoshop classes, which are the best I've seen on that subject. Many of her web production courses will take you every step along the way to creating your own website, even if you haven't coded before. Adobe and Apple have both published similar project-based tutorial classes in book form, and I think they're a bit more polished, but the video instructor can help move you along through all the content more easily. Learning software seems to work better from an online video than a book these days; it's helpful to already be sitting at the computer where you're able to try everything out as it's explained. Most people don't seem to retain software principles unless they're trying them while learning. A bad instructor can make it difficult to sit through a video class. Lynda.com and others generally have a large variety of content creators, so you're not as limited with instructors as you might be at a University, where the same instructor may teach several related applications. Departmental faculty may have much more targeted and creative applications for your software though, while paid corporate software training can be mind-numbingly bad. Continuing ed classes that I've taken usually seemed to just focus on learning the tools in a software product. They often don't or even can't show you how to apply the software for your purposes as full time faculty at a University might. Some Lynda.com instructors weren't great, but most seemed a cut above the continuing ed and corporate software trainers I've learned from or contracted. The majority of the classes seemed to apply the software for an impressive final project. Redundancy is a real drawback among the online lessons. Often the advanced classes repeat many of the concepts from the introductory "Essentials" courses. If you know an earlier version of an application and just want to learn new features, a book may be a faster route to your goal. I originally suggested the "New Features" lessons that Lynda began to offer for updated releases, and I think they're especially helpful. It's much harder to skim through a video than a page of text, so I'd anticipate having to complement your Lynda.com lessons with other instructional materials. Lynda.com didn't have as many of the "fluff" courses that LinkedIn is now offering. These titles read like articles from Cosmo. They might be better served to offer "How to respond to a connection request from a recruiter who works in a field completely unrelated to you."
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Renaissance Learning
I teach 5th/6th grade math and science, but I love finding fun books to explain science and math concepts using books that keep the students engaged. I can make sure to give them several options on their reading level to choose from and know I am meeting a majority of my students needs because they can listen to other book be read if they so choose. My students have learned so much from science graphic novels!
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Pros
LinkedIn
  • Industry expert authors/instructors - you're learning from people with pedigree.
  • Breadth and depth of catalog - not only is there a wide range of topics and disciplines, but there are frequently several levels of depth within each (eg. Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced).
  • Time needed to complete each course AND each section of a course are included - you know what you're getting into from the first click.
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Renaissance Learning
  • Helps students gain comprehension by suggesting reading materials at their level.
  • Because the program has the capacity to read to the students, they get a to hear a good role model which helps develop fluency and accuracy in their reading.
  • It is easy to access and helps keep students on track with their reading goals.
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Cons
LinkedIn
  • LinkedIn Learning provides learning paths, but it's left much to be desired. Not enough direction about the why, or learning outcomes.
  • Some courses provide exercises/quizzes. Others do not. There's definitely a missing piece to test comprehension.
  • The library is so large, it's difficult to really build your own learning. I find it better for just-in-time learning.
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Renaissance Learning
  • I could never figure it out.
  • Students levels from their STAR test did not translate into the books suggested on myON.
  • The platform is cumbersome and inaccessible for students and teachers.
  • I am fairly tech-savvy, but I could never navigate through and understand how myON worked. Eventually, I gave up and switched to Epic.
  • The book selection was poor. Only the non-fiction books were interesting to my students. None of the popular titles and authors were available.
  • It was a big disappointment and frustration for me and my students.
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Likelihood to Renew
LinkedIn
It can help all employees learn to strengthen current skills or to learn new skills and then can learn to excel in their current department or they learn a new skills in a new department creating interconnection and cross-departmental value in a company.
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Renaissance Learning
No answers on this topic
Usability
LinkedIn
Very user friendly, easy to copy and/or download notes offline, and follow up with your instructor is easy as pie. You can even LinkedIn with your instructor and follow up with questions/concerns online and in several forums. Very cool concept and easy to use.
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Renaissance Learning
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
LinkedIn
The technical team behind LinkedIn Learning (or Lynda.com) knows their job, and they usually solve problems very quickly. While I haven't had many run-ins with them (thus the low rating), I do find that when we call them, the problem gets resolved in a reasonable amount of time. The flip-side of this comment is that we never have needed to call them with a high-priority issue.
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Renaissance Learning
I believe this product provides students with faster and easier access to books. This increases their time spent on task reading. myON reader is a product that is great for students and teachers.
If there are any issues and concerns while using myON, there are many help resources available to offer assistance.
myON Reader works so well with the rest of the Renaissance Platform. This consistency is great for everyone!
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Alternatives Considered
LinkedIn
Our organization has used different webinars, including ones on LinkedIn, to provide similar insight. But it's a totally different ballgame. Lynda.com offers in-depth tutorials rather than just a 2-hour video broadcast. With lynda.com there are more information and experts, as well as so many different courses fit for every need/want. There is also a lot more flexibility with lynda. You can take it on the go, watch on mobile and at anytime, rather than being tied to a certain time slot.
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Renaissance Learning
Renaissance myON is hands down the best as compared to Epic. I am allowed to consistently monitor my students. I am able to print reports to help evaluate student progress. I can also use these reports during parent/teacher conferences so parents and guardians can see where their student is throughout the year. They are able to see how their interests change along with how the reading level improves.
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Return on Investment
LinkedIn
  • I can't think of a negative impact that Lynda.com has when it relates to the extensive library of training software that is available to subscribers. I'm lucky that my job provides a free subscription for instructors. I use Lynda.com to hone in on my technical skills.
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Renaissance Learning
  • Students continued to read on their level and were motivated by all of the books being an AR book with a quiz and points to earn.
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