Educational Website Examples - 5 Sites That Elevate Online Learning

Code.org, a nonprofit organization that aims to expand access to computer science in schools, offers an informative and well-structured website that I found easy to navigate. Upon arrival, I was quickly drawn to the Code.org facts listed below the hero image, as these helped me to understand and better visualize the organization's global impact and reach.

I liked that I could explore various statistics about the field of computer science, as well as learn about the different programs on offer. I also appreciated the multimedia content, as the various videos and infographics helped me understand the courses better, while the "New project" feature in the main menu meant I could start a coding project instantly.

Launched in 2012, FutureLearn is an online learning platform that offers a range of courses, programs, and degrees from leading universities and institutions across the world. The website's airy aesthetic, complemented by a lively color scheme, struck a perfect balance between minimalism and vibrancy, which instantly set the website apart and allowed me to hone in on the content blocks.

Although the lack of a hero image made the home page feel sparse, I didn't mind, as I quickly navigated to the "Explore top subjects" section, which made filtering through different courses simple. Adding to this, I felt that the main menu did a great job of streamlining access to the available subjects and courses.

Founded by Harvard and MIT, edX is an online learning platform connecting more than 86 million students seeking to complete job-relevant courses and programs. The website immediately grabbed my attention with its intuitive home page, which showcased edX's trending courses, popular discussion topics, student reviews, and its free registration process.

I was particularly drawn to the "Popular topics" section, where I could read through what edX's learners were discussing. I found the "Launch, change, or advance your career" section equally impressive, offering well-organized, filtered options that clearly detailed how each course would help me excel in my career.

OntarioLearn, an online learning space offering courses and programs from top local colleges and universities, has a clean and professional website that I found both efficient and straightforward. I was quickly drawn to the "START" option in the main menu, which led me to an interactive quiz and detailed information about the platform's courses, programs, and partner institutions.

For added convenience, the top menu included a French translation tool, a search bar, and a "Help" option — all of which underscored the site's commitment to accessibility. Additionally, I appreciated that the "COURSES" and "PROGRAMS" pages featured filtered search tools, making it easier to find specific offerings.

Founded in 2010, Skillshare is an online learning platform that empowers creatives and content creators, and I could see that right away. From the moment I landed on the site, I was impressed by how effectively it championed its services and target market. The website gets straight to the point — no fluff, just a streamlined design that's well-structured.

For instance, what would typically be reserved for a hero image is instead utilized to promote a 7-day free trial, making it easier for me to dive in. The rotating banner showcasing various creative mediums ties in beautifully with the messaging, and I liked that the main menu streamlined access through a convenient search bar and browse option.