Lynda.com

Lynda.com is an online learning platform that offers a wide range of courses and tutorials on various subjects, including computer science, data analysis, digital marketing, and graphic design, taught by experts such as Seth Godin, Dave Ramsey, and Peggy Fitzpatrick. The platform provides users with the opportunity to learn from industry professionals like Martha Stewart, Tim Ferriss, and Gary Vaynerchuk, and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in fields like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity, as discussed by Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos. With its vast library of courses and tutorials, Lynda.com has become a popular resource for individuals and organizations looking to improve their skills and knowledge in areas like web development, photography, and video production, with instructors like Tony Northrup, Mango Street Lab, and Peter McKinnon. The platform has also partnered with leading companies like Microsoft, Google, and Facebook to provide users with access to exclusive content and resources.

● History

The history of Lynda.com dates back to 1995, when it was founded by Lynda Weinman and Bruce Heavin in Ojai, California. Initially, the company focused on providing online courses and tutorials on web design, graphic design, and digital media, with instructors like Deke McClelland and Anne-Marie Concepción. Over the years, the platform has expanded its course offerings to include subjects like business management, leadership, and communication skills, with experts like Simon Sinek, Brené Brown, and Malcolm Gladwell. In 2015, Lynda.com was acquired by LinkedIn, a professional networking platform owned by Microsoft, and has since become a key part of the company's learning and development offerings, with integrations with Office 365 and Dynamics 365. The acquisition has enabled Lynda.com to expand its reach and provide users with access to a wider range of courses and resources, including those from Coursera, edX, and Udemy.

● Features

Lynda.com offers a range of features that make it a popular choice for online learning, including a vast library of courses and tutorials, personalized learning paths, and progress tracking. The platform also provides users with access to exercise files and project files, allowing them to practice and apply the skills they learn, with tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Visual Studio. Additionally, Lynda.com offers mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, enabling users to learn on-the-go, and offline access to courses and tutorials, making it possible to learn even without an internet connection, with support from AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. The platform also integrates with learning management systems like Moodle and Blackboard, making it easy for organizations to track user progress and provide feedback, with support from IBM, Oracle, and SAP.

● Content

The content on Lynda.com is created by a team of expert instructors, including Ben Long, David Blatner, and Chad Chelius, who have experience in their respective fields and are passionate about teaching and sharing their knowledge. The platform offers courses and tutorials on a wide range of subjects, including programming languages like Python, Java, and JavaScript, as well as creative skills like photography, video production, and graphic design, with software like Adobe Photoshop and Sketch. Lynda.com also provides courses on business skills like marketing, finance, and leadership, with experts like Seth Godin, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Simon Sinek, and technology skills like cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analysis, with instructors like Pluralsight, Codecademy, and DataCamp. The platform has also partnered with leading companies like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft to provide users with access to exclusive content and resources, including Google Cloud Platform, Facebook Blueprint, and Microsoft Azure.

● Acquisition

In 2015, Lynda.com was acquired by LinkedIn for $1.5 billion, in a deal that marked one of the largest acquisitions in the ed-tech industry, with support from Kleiner Perkins, Accel Partners, and Greylock Partners. The acquisition was seen as a strategic move by LinkedIn to expand its offerings in the learning and development space, and to provide users with access to a wider range of courses and resources, including those from Coursera, edX, and Udemy. The acquisition has also enabled Lynda.com to expand its reach and provide users with access to a wider range of courses and resources, including those from Pluralsight, Codecademy, and DataCamp. The deal was also seen as a validation of the online learning market, with other companies like Udemy, Coursera, and edX also experiencing significant growth and investment, with support from Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, and Khosla Ventures.

● Impact

The impact of Lynda.com has been significant, with the platform providing users with access to a wide range of courses and resources that can help them improve their skills and knowledge, with support from IBM, Oracle, and SAP. The platform has also had a positive impact on the ed-tech industry, with other companies like Udemy, Coursera, and edX also experiencing significant growth and investment, with support from Kleiner Perkins, Accel Partners, and Greylock Partners. Lynda.com has also partnered with leading companies like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft to provide users with access to exclusive content and resources, including Google Cloud Platform, Facebook Blueprint, and Microsoft Azure. The platform has also been recognized for its impact on the online learning market, with awards from Forbes, Fast Company, and Inc. Magazine, and has been named one of the best places to work by Glassdoor and Fortune Magazine.

● Criticism

Despite its popularity, Lynda.com has faced criticism from some users who have expressed concerns about the quality of the courses and tutorials, with some instructors like Seth Godin and Gary Vaynerchuk receiving criticism for their teaching style, and the lack of interactivity and engagement in some courses, with some users preferring platforms like Udemy and Coursera. The platform has also faced criticism from some instructors who have expressed concerns about the revenue sharing model, with some instructors like Deke McClelland and Anne-Marie Concepción receiving a significant portion of the revenue generated by their courses, while others receive less, with support from Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild. Additionally, some users have expressed concerns about the cost of the platform, with some courses and tutorials requiring a subscription or a one-time payment, with support from Consumer Reports and PC Magazine. However, Lynda.com has responded to these criticisms by improving the quality of its courses and tutorials, and by providing users with more flexible pricing options, with support from Microsoft, Google, and Facebook.