Different schools have different learning platforms for their online courses. It's imporant that before you start your first class, you aquiant yourself with the learning platform. Navigate through the courses, while looking for other technologies and ways to connect to maximize your learning experience.

I think this is a good idea. I myself used 3 different online learning platforms (Blackboard for my undergrad, Angel for my grad studies, and Desire2Learn at my job). However how would one go about doing this? Many times you have to already be enrolled as a student in order to gain access to a college's platform. It's a mixed bag as far as what the colleges offer in terms of public tutorials and even giving information on what platform they are using (at the college where I work, this was an issue because at one time, we were running three different eLearning platforms!).

I had the same experience as the last poster, who said that they could not access Blackboard etc. until after they were enrolled in class. Perhaps as learning platforms become more popular and optimized, prospective students will be able to learn which platforms certain schools use prior to enrollment.

I did want to note, though, that there are other kinds of online learning platforms that all people can access TeamWiki is an example of this. It's sort of like Facebook and Wikipedia combined - a place where terminologists, translators, companies and learners can collaborate around specific subjects and industries. Check it out, let me know what you think!

WizIq is another platform for online learning. It offers a range of courses for learners from across the world. Additionally, you can also start your online teaching classes by registering on it. It also acts as a platform for organizations using which they can train their employees and upload study material.