7 Free Personalized Learning Platforms Transforming Education

I’ve been researching free personalized learning platforms for a while now and I’m amazed at how easy it is to acquire new skills tailored just for you.

In 2024, the options are more exciting than ever with so many benefits.

You can master anything from coding to languages, from first grade to college, all self-paced, without spending a dime. Not only are they free but they meet your unique needs with adaptive learning technology. 

I’ve explored and tested these platforms, finding the top ones that stand out. They’re not only free, but unbelievable classes to help your kids or even further your skills. 

What Are The Best Free Personalized Learning Platforms? 

1. Khan Academy

Khan Academy is a free online platform offering a wide range of academic content. Initially focused on math, it now spans subjects from science to the arts, continually growing to include more subjects.

Its adaptive learning approach, coupled with tools like the new AI-powered Khanmigo, makes it ideal for both self-guided learning and use in classroom lessons.  

Key Benefits

• Khan Academy offers a wide variety of courses in math, science, economics, humanities, and more, suitable for all age groups from kindergarten to early college.
• The platform personalizes learning experiences with dashboards that track progress and recommend exercises at the right level of challenge for each student. 
• Alongside instructional videos, Khan Academy provides interactive practice exercises. 

Pros

• Students get feedback straight away on exercises and hints to help guide them through challenging problems.
• Teachers have access to tools for assigning work, tracking student progress, and identifying areas where students might need extra help.
• It’s totally free and can be used across all devices. 

Cons

• While Khan Academy covers a wide range of subjects, the depth of content in more specialized or advanced topics might vary.
• The platform’s style of video instruction might not cater to all learning preferences.

Bottom line

Khan Academy stands out as a leader in free online education, offering an extensive range of high-quality, accessible resources. Its commitment to personalized, self-paced learning makes it a valuable tool for a diverse range of learners worldwide.

2. Codeacademy

Codecademy offers interactive coding lessons in various programming languages and computer science skills, but also non-coding classes too, which is great for a beginner like me.

The free plan of Codecademy, known for its accessibility and quality content, provides learners with a solid foundation in coding and programming basics.

Key Benefits

• Access to basic courses in popular programming languages like Python, HTML/CSS, and JavaScript. 
• There are non-coding courses too. I love the ‘Intro to ChatGPT Course‘ which is helping me with using it for my work (see screenshot above)
• Highly interactive by allowing users to write code and see immediate results in real-time.

Pros

• The learning process is fun and easy as it makes coding simple to do and understand. The tutorials are straightforward to follow at all levels. 
• Users can connect with a large community of learners, which can be invaluable for peer support, networking, and collaborative learning.
• Some mobile practice options are available that allow you to practice coding on the go.
• The platform offers basic progress tracking so you can track how much you progress. 

Cons

• The free plan does not include advanced courses, projects, or personalized learning paths, which are available in the Pro version.
• If you wanted access to mentorship, career resources, and a certificate of completion, you would need a subscription to the Pro plan.

Bottom Line

Codecademy’s free plan is an excellent starting point for those new to programming or wanting to explore coding before committing to a paid plan.

While it covers basic courses and offers an interactive learning experience, users seeking advanced skills and certifications might consider upgrading to Codecademy Pro.

3. CK-12 Foundation

CK-12 Foundation is a non-profit organization offering a comprehensive set of high-quality educational resources, mainly focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects.

This online platform is great for my kids. My eldest son loves that you have engaging video tutorials to teach the material followed by quizzes with an interactive whiteboard to work out the answers. 

Their platform is designed to meet the learning needs and learning goals of each student. It is also amazing for teachers to provide individualized learning for every student. 

Key Benefits

• FlexBooks are customizable digital textbooks that cover a wide range of K-12 subjects. These can be adapted to different learning levels and teaching styles.
• CK-12 includes various interactive tools such as simulations, practice exercises, and educational videos, enhancing the engagement and understanding of complex concepts.
• The platform offers an AI-driven practice tool that provides questions tailored to each student’s understanding and helps them with learning content. 

Pros 

• Educators can access tools for creating customized lessons, setting up class groups, assigning homework, and tracking student progress.
• Play, Learn, Interact, eXplore (PLIX) is a series of interactive educational modules that integrate play and make learning exciting across various subjects.
• The content is aligned with common educational standards, making it easier for teachers to integrate CK-12 resources into their curricula.
• Great for kids who need support and extra clarification outside of the classroom setting without paying for private tutors. 
• Ideal for homeschooling parents requiring a structured yet flexible curriculum.

Cons

• Focus is on STEM subjects so it might not cater to students or educators looking for resources in non-STEM areas.
• The depth of content in advanced topics varies quite significantly. 

Bottom Line

The CK-12 Foundation provides a valuable resource for personalized, accessible, and high-quality education, especially in STEM.

Its integration of interactive tools and alignment with educational standards makes it a versatile choice for a variety of educational settings. Best of all, its free access ensures that quality education is available to everyone.

4. IXL Learning 

IXL Learning is used by more than 14 million people globally (that is more people than living in the state of Pennsylvania!)

It provides incredible tools for personalized learning which is customized based on the curriculum of your country. It creates an interactive and engaging learning experience for all ages and different learning styles.  

IXL is known for its extensive content coverage across a range of subjects, including math, language arts, science, social studies, and languages. 

Key Benefits

• IXL covers loads of topics in each subject with progressively challenging levels.
• The platform uses adaptive learning, which means that the difficulty of questions adjusts to the student’s skill level, providing a personalized education for each student.
• IXL provides real-time analytics that identifies strengths and weaknesses and enables a more targeted approach to individual needs. 

Pros

• The platform features interactive questions that keep students engaged and help reinforce concepts through practice.
• AI-powered personalized learning means that students receive immediate feedback on their answers so that they can quickly understand and correct mistakes. 
• IXL offers detailed reports that track student progress and performance. The personalized feedback can help teachers and parents understand where they can give more support on areas of improvement. 
• This is ideal for students who need practice in core school subjects, and for parents who want to support their children’s education with additional skill-building at home.

Cons

• The free version of IXL may offer limited access to questions and subjects with better features in the paid subscription.
• Some may find the repetition of question styles less engaging over time.

Bottom Line

IXL Learning stands out for its wide curriculum coverage and adaptive learning software. 

It’s a perfect example of AI-powered platforms that make it a valuable tool for students seeking to enhance their understanding and skills in core academic areas.

While the free version provides a taster of IXL, a subscription may be better for those who need full access and benefits.

5. BrainPOP

BrainPOP is a dynamic educational platform known for its animated content designed to make subjects accessible and enjoyable.

The site is geared towards elementary and middle school kids but has resources for high school as well. 

Key Benefits

• BrainPOP’s hallmark feature is its collection of short, animated videos on a wide range of topics to enhance the learning experience. 
• Each video is accompanied by an interactive quiz, allowing students to test their understanding of the material.
• The platform includes tools like Make-a-Map and Make-a-Movie, which help students demonstrate their understanding in unique ways.

Pros

• GameUp is one of the learning features that complement the video content with games, further engaging students in the learning process.
• BrainPOP provides lesson plans, educational resources, and activities for teachers that are personalized and engaging. 
• BrainPOP regularly updates its library with content relevant to current events and trending topics so that the learning materials stay current. 
• The platform is ideal for teachers looking for multimedia content to supplement classroom lessons and for parents aiming to provide their children with continuous learning at home.

Cons

• Personal information is shared for third-party marketing.
• Unclear whether users can interact with untrusted users, including strangers and/or adults
• Content is primarily tailored to younger learners, which might not be as suitable for high school students.

Bottom Line

BrainPOP stands out for its unique approach to education, blending animated content with interactive and creative tools to make learning engaging and fun.

While the free version offers a glimpse into BrainPOP’s educational approach, a subscription unlocks the full potential of this dynamic learning platform.

6. Edpuzzle 

Edpuzzle uses video content to provide personalized learning experiences. The platform is mainly aimed at classroom settings or for remote learning.

Key Benefits

• The core feature of Edpuzzle is the ability to create or modify existing videos by embedding questions, notes, and quizzes, making the video content a great learning tool. 
• Edpuzzle has a huge library of pre-made educational videos from sources like YouTube, Khan Academy, and National Geographic so that students can learn at their own pace. 
• Teachers can make customized learning videos, or upload and edit their videos to suit their lesson plans and students’ specific needs.

Pros

• As students interact with the videos, teachers receive real-time data on students’ engagement and can identify areas where student support is needed. 
• Perfect for students to learn visually and interactively. 
• Edpuzzle seamlessly integrates with popular platforms already used within existing educational frameworks.
• It’s an effective tool for flipped classroom models and blended learning, allowing students to engage with video content at their own pace.
• Students get immediate feedback in multiple-choice quizzes. Ultimately, in-depth learning hinges on student-created content opportunities.
• Allows for the teacher’s voice to overlay on videos, making it familiar to the students.

Cons

• The content is not very well organized making it challenging to search for various content. 
• An overwhelming amount of content for teachers to sift through to create videos may be time-consuming. 

Bottom Line

Edpuzzle is an excellent resource for educators who want to transform passive video-watching into an active learning experience. Edpuzzle increases student engagement and provides valuable insights into their learning process by teachers customizing their videos.

7. SplashLearn 

As a parent of young kids, I’ve found SplashLearn to be a game-changer in math learning for K-5 students.

It aligns with Common Core standards, making it a perfect complement to their school curriculum. I appreciate how I can track their progress through detailed reports, and the option for home access allows my kids to practice and excel at their own pace.

The platform, available both as a website and grade-specific apps, keeps them engaged with diverse activities and a rewarding system for correct answers. It’s both educational and fun for them, and seeing their progress has been incredibly rewarding for me.

Key Benefits

• SplashLearn’s standout feature is its vast collection of math games that are both educational and fun, designed to align with the curriculum standards.
• The platform adapts to each child’s learning pace and style via personalized experiences that make math learning more effective.
• Parents and teachers can track a child’s progress through detailed reports with insights into their strengths and areas for improvement.

Pros

• The math problems and activities on SplashLearn are aligned with common curriculum standards, ensuring that the learning is relevant and comprehensive.
• The platform uses colorful, kid-friendly graphics and characters to keep children engaged and motivated. 
• The interactive platform makes it easy for kids to do extra math practice at home, especially those kids who struggle. 
• SplashLearn is accessible on various devices, including computers, tablets, and smartphones, making it easy for kids to learn anytime, anywhere.

Cons

• The focus is primarily on math, so it might not be suitable for parents or teachers looking for support in other subjects.
• The free version is quite limited and only allows one lesson a day. 

Bottom Line

SplashLearn provides a playful, engaging approach to math learning, making it a popular choice for parents like me who want to inspire a love for math in young learners.

The platform’s game-based methodology and personalized learning make kids think they are just playing without realizing they are learning core math concepts.

FAQs

What are personalized learning platforms and how do they differ from traditional learning methods?

Personalized learning platforms are digital education tools that tailor learning experiences to individual students.

Unlike traditional education, personalized learning platforms use AI and adaptive algorithms to create a custom learning path for each user.

Students can learn at their own pace, focus on areas where they need improvement, and engage with content that matches their learning style.

Can these platforms replace traditional classroom learning?

They are best used as a supplement to traditional classroom learning, rather than a replacement.

These platforms can provide additional resources, practice opportunities, and personalized support that complement classroom instruction. However, the social interaction, guidance from teachers, and structured environment of traditional classrooms are also crucial elements of a student’s education.

Summary

I find it incredible how many amazing free personalized learning platforms are available.

These resources, ideal for learners from children to adults, offer a diverse range of skills, from STEM to coding, at no cost. My personal journey with platforms like CK-12 and Codecademy has transformed our approach to education, making learning accessible, and enjoyable. 

Learning can be really fun and more effective at no cost, which means everyone can learn anything they want at their own pace.

I must say, I am really impressed!