Lynda.com (now offered as part of LinkedIn Learning) is an elearning course library acquired and now supported by LinkedIn in May 2015.
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Skillsoft Percipio
Score 8.1 out of 10
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Skillsoft Percipio is a skills intelligence platform and Learning Experience Platform (LXP) designed to manage workforce capabilities through data-driven upskilling. The system utilizes an integrated skills intelligence engine to track proficiency levels, identify organizational skill gaps, and deliver personalized, multi-modal learning paths.
Skillsoft offers one of the more comprehensive learning platforms among its competitors. While the platform does appear dated at times with regard to the user interface, it does a really good job of offering a wide assortment of learning tools and features for interested …
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."
I think the platform is heading in a great direction given the reinvestment in the platform. I would recommend the work continue to have more partnerships and integrations so the content can stay relevant and up to date. I would advise Account Management and Sales be in tune with the market and the cost of the platform.
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.
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.
Books 24x7 is a useful tool for growth, knowledge sharing, and overall intellectual health within the company. Our company has been very forward thinking in offering this to every employee. As a result, people have been able to grow in areas they may not have previously explored because of the free access to resources they may not have bothered with before they had free access to them.
The platform is very easy to use and navigate, the content is clearly itemised via the Contents section and the video playback speed can be adjusted. It's also useful to have optional captions (I always use them) and a transcript for accessibility purposes.
Skillsoft Percipio (Skillport) is easy to understand. Students didn't need much of an effort to understand how to use it, where to find the content, how to pass each course. It was also great that Skillsoft Percipio (Skillport) has this direct link to LinkedIn so the user can post their acquired skills on their professional history.
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.
As one of the larger learning platforms in the market, Skillport receives additional content fairly regularly. This is something that is definitely necessary within the continuing education community. However, much like educational textbooks, changes do happen in the world that requires content to be updated and revised. This is where I believe Skillport has the most opportunity for growth. A best-in-class continuing education solution needs to remain up to date with the modern workforce in order to continually push boundaries and engaging users. Overall, I think Skillport does a great job of providing a platform for others to learn and succeed.
By implementation we are able to achieve 1.Skill improvement 2.Reduced burden on training staff 3.Learning new market leading technologies like Generative AI.
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.
Both are great products, and very different, but both are designed around employee training and give ways to track completion of certain training content. Skillport is much more suited for general training though since it's a platform that can host a variety of training content, instead of just phishing. Skillport is used more for training for all departments.
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.
I'm not the person who manages the program, but from a user perspective it allows us to be ensured that our coworkers are going to be trained on the things it's essential everyone has some familiarity with.
It allows flexibility in changing workplaces and doesn't leave large gaps of time for unstaffed offices (as in person training can do)
It allows new employees to view their training schedule so they know what needs to be done.
