In the era of digital technology, the quest for knowledge and the enhancement of skills have undergone a revolutionary transformation. Online learning platforms have emerged as dynamic portals for self-improvement, personal growth, and professional development. Among these platforms, Skillshare shines as a vibrant hub for creatives, learners, and enthusiasts of all kinds. This comprehensive review will take you on a journey through Skillshare, helping you understand its value, offerings, and whether it's the right investment for unlocking your full creative potential.

In this review, I aim to provide a personal perspective and insights into Skillshare. We'll delve into the platform's course offerings, its unique features, the community it fosters, and its pricing structure. By the end of this journey, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of Skillshare and whether it's the ideal tool to help you embark on your own path of creativity, learning, and growth.

Is Skillshare worth your investment?

Skillshare is undoubtedly a worthy investment if you're someone who values lifelong learning and seeks to unlock your creative potential. With over 30,000 courses spanning a broad spectrum of subjects, Skillshare caters to learners of all levels, from novices to experts. Its commitment to practical application through project-based learning sets it apart from many other e-learning platforms. Additionally, Skillshare offers a free 7-day trial, making it an enticing proposition. This section will delve into the reasons why Skillshare deserves your serious consideration.

Pros and cons

Let's take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of using Skillshare. This comprehensive evaluation will help you make an informed decision about whether Skillshare aligns with your learning goals and preferences.

Pros:

• A Diverse Selection of Courses: Skillshare boasts a catalog of over 30,000 courses spanning a wide range of subjects, ensuring there's something for everyone.

• Free Trial: Skillshare offers a free trial, enabling you to explore the platform, its features, and its course offerings without any financial commitment.

• Project-Based Learning: The core philosophy of Skillshare revolves around learning by doing, with a strong emphasis on hands-on projects to enhance practical application.

• Affordable Pricing: Skillshare's monthly and annual subscription options are budget-friendly, making it accessible to a broad audience.

• Discounts and Perks: Skillshare provides discounts and offers on various creative services and products, which can significantly add value to your membership.

• Referral Program: Skillshare encourages you to invite friends to join, and in return, you can earn extra free months of membership.

• Structured Learning with Skillshare Learning Paths: For those who prefer a more structured learning experience, Skillshare offers Learning Paths that guide you through a series of courses in a logical progression.

Cons:

• Course Quality Variance: While Skillshare generally maintains a high standard of course quality, it's important to note that the quality can vary, necessitating some exploration to find the best fit for your learning goals.

• No Certificates or Accreditation: Skillshare doesn't provide certificates or official accreditation, which may be a drawback for individuals seeking formal recognition.

• Notable Instructors: While Skillshare features many talented instructors, it doesn't have the same level of celebrity or industry expert recognition as platforms like MasterClass.

Exploring Skillshare

Photo by rawpixel.com on Freepik 

Skillshare, established in 2010 and headquartered in New York, is an online learning community. Its primary purpose is to facilitate skill development and knowledge acquisition by offering a vast collection of self-paced video courses. The hallmark of Skillshare is project-based learning, where learning is accomplished through active engagement and practical application.

The platform covers an extensive spectrum of subjects, making it diverse and inclusive. While it caters to creative disciplines like art, design, photography, and writing, it also encompasses topics like business, technology, entrepreneurship, and lifestyle. The variety of subjects is one of the defining features of Skillshare and sets it apart from other e-learning platforms.

The Course Structure on Skillshare

Understanding the structure of Skillshare courses is essential for effective learning.

• Video Lessons: The primary content of Skillshare courses is delivered through video lessons. These videos serve as the core learning material and are typically broken down into manageable sections.

• About Section: Each course has an "About" section, which provides a summary of the course's content and what students can expect to learn upon completion.

• Reviews: To assist learners in choosing the right course, Skillshare provides reviews from previous students. These reviews highlight the course's strengths and suitability for different skill levels.

• Discussion Boards: Skillshare courses feature discussion boards, allowing students to engage in discussions, seek clarification, request feedback, and sometimes interact with instructors.

• Projects and Resources: One of the distinctive features of Skillshare is its focus on project-based learning. Each course typically includes a project for students to complete, helping reinforce the skills they've acquired. Additional resources and materials are often provided to support the project.

• Transcripts: For those who prefer reading along with the lessons or need to refer to written content, Skillshare includes transcripts.

The Masterminds Behind Skillshare

Skillshare boasts a community of nearly 30,000 instructors, each bringing their unique expertise to the platform. This diverse pool of instructors ensures that there is a wide range of talent and experience available to learners. What distinguishes Skillshare is its open approach to instructors; it welcomes educators from all backgrounds. Traditional teaching experience is not a prerequisite; instead, Skillshare prioritizes passion and skill.

To maintain course quality, Skillshare has introduced two important features: Skillshare Originals and Staff Picks. Skillshare Originals are high-quality courses produced directly by Skillshare. Staff Picks are curated selections of courses recognized for their excellence. Instructors receive resources and guidance from Skillshare to create top-tier courses, contributing to the overall quality of the platform.

Unleashing Creativity with Chromatic Courses

A significant addition to Skillshare's offerings is Chroma Courses. These are premium, immersive learning experiences that cater to smaller groups of learners. Chroma Courses offer exclusive content from expert teachers, live Q&A sessions, personalized feedback on projects, and the opportunity to collaborate with fellow learners in private Slack channels. This premium feature provides an intimate and personalized learning experience, making it ideal for those who prefer group learning and close interaction with instructors.

Structured Learning with Skillshare Learning Paths

To provide a more structured and guided learning experience, Skillshare introduced Learning Paths. Learning paths are curated sequences of courses designed to help students master a particular skill or subject. Each learning path includes a logical progression of courses, ensuring that learners build their knowledge systematically. This feature is particularly useful for those who prefer a more directed and organized learning journey.

Building a community on Skillshare

In the past, Skillshare offered community-building features such as joining groups, interacting with other learners, and sharing ideas and projects. Nevertheless, it seems that this functionality has been terminated. Instead, Skillshare now emphasizes community-building through the "Student Projects" section. In this section, learners can upload their completed projects for review and feedback from peers and instructors. While the interaction may not be as extensive as in a traditional forum or group, it still allows for collaboration and the sharing of work.

Skillshare Pricing

Skillshare offers several pricing options to cater to different preferences and budgets:

• Free Membership: Skillshare provides a free one-month trial that allows you to explore the platform's basic features and access some free courses.

• Monthly Subscription: After the free trial, Skillshare offers a monthly subscription priced at around $19 per month.

• Annual Subscription: For those looking to commit to a more extended learning journey, Skillshare offers an annual subscription at a reduced monthly rate, typically around $99 per year.

Are there any Skillshare alternatives?

While Skillshare is an impressive platform, there are some alternatives to consider:

• Udemy offers a vast library of courses on diverse topics, often with one-time purchase options.

• Coursera provides accredited courses from top universities and institutions.

• LinkedIn Learning is focused on career development and offers a free month's trial.

• MasterClass features celebrity instructors, including Gordon Ramsay, Serena Williams, and more, offering aspirational learning.

How to Dive into Skillshare

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• Sign up: The first step is to create a Skillshare account. You can sign up with your email address or use your existing Google or Facebook account for a seamless registration process. This step is essential to accessing the platform's features and courses.

• Explore the Platform: Once you're registered and logged in, take some time to navigate through the Skillshare website or mobile app. Familiarize yourself with the layout, browse different categories, and discover courses that pique your interest. You can use the search bar to find specific topics or instructors.

• Free Trial: Skillshare offers a free 1-month trial for new users. During this trial, you can access a selection of courses and explore the platform's basic features. This is an excellent opportunity to test the waters and see if Skillshare aligns with your learning goals and preferences.

• Select Your Courses: Start by choosing a course that interests you. You can read course descriptions, check out reviews from previous students, and assess whether the course content aligns with your objectives. Skillshare's courses cater to various skill levels, so whether you're a beginner or an expert, there's something for you.

• Learning Experience: Engage with the course content. Most Skillshare courses are structured around video lessons, so you can watch and learn at your own pace. Each course typically has an "About" section that provides an overview of what you'll learn, as well as discussion boards where you can interact with other students and sometimes even the instructor.

• Hands-on Projects: One of the unique aspects of Skillshare is its emphasis on project-based learning. As you progress through a course, you'll be given assignments or projects to complete. These practical tasks help you apply what you've learned and reinforce your skills. Be sure to work on these projects to gain a deeper understanding of the subject.

• Stay Organized: Skillshare offers a scheduling feature, that allows you to add classes to your calendar. This feature helps you stay on track with your learning goals and ensures you don't miss any important course sessions.

• Community Engagement: Although Skillshare has discontinued some of its community features, like groups, you can still participate in the "Student Projects" section. Here, you can upload your completed projects for review and feedback from both your peers and instructors. This is a great way to connect with other learners and share your work.

• Offline Learning: If you want to learn on the go, Skillshare offers a mobile app for iOS and Android. You can download courses for offline viewing, making it convenient to continue your learning even without an internet connection.

• Membership: After your free trial, you'll have the option to subscribe to Skillshare. You can choose between a monthly or annual subscription plan based on your learning needs. Keep an eye out for promotions or discounts that Skillshare often offers to make your membership more budget-friendly.

How to Bid Farewell to Skillshare

Canceling your Skillshare subscription is a straightforward process.

• Select your profile icon and navigate to "Payments."

• Go to your "Account Settings" and select the "Cancel Membership" option.

• Follow the prompts to cancel your subscription.

Who Should Embark on a Skillshare Learning Journey?

Skillshare is an ideal platform for creative individuals looking to learn or enhance their skills. Whether you're interested in art, design, writing, or other creative pursuits, Skillshare offers a wealth of content to satisfy your interests. It's perfect for hands-on learners, as most courses include projects. However, Skillshare also has something for everyone, with courses covering a wide range of topics. If you're curious and motivated to learn, Skillshare is worth exploring.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does Skillshare offer a free trial? 

Yes, Skillshare provides a free 1-month trial.

2. How much does Skillshare cost? 

Skillshare offers both monthly and yearly subscriptions, with promotions that can save you money.

3. Can I cancel my Skillshare membership?

Yes, canceling your Skillshare subscription is a straightforward process.

4. Is there a Skillshare app? 

Yes, Skillshare offers a user-friendly mobile app for both iOS and Android users.

5. Can I watch Skillshare courses offline? 

Yes, you can download courses for offline viewing.

6. Can I stream Skillshare courses on my smart TV? 

Yes, you can stream Skillshare videos to your TV using Chromecast or Airplay.

Skillshare's Impact: A Final Verdict

In conclusion, Skillshare is an effective and accessible online learning platform. It offers a wide variety of courses across numerous subjects, emphasizing hands-on learning through projects. Skillshare is particularly well-suited for creative individuals, but it has something to offer everyone. The platform's user-friendly interface and affordability make it a valuable resource for those looking to expand their knowledge and skills. Skillshare is certainly worth exploring, and you can start with a free trial to see if it's the right fit for you. Whether you're just starting your creative journey or looking to enhance your skills, Skillshare can be an excellent companion on your learning path.

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