Online learning has been growing at a rapid pace, offering unique opportunities to acquire new skills and knowledge, with online learning platforms such as have already made a significant impact on the eLearning scene.
Yet, one name you might not be as familiar with is Pluralsight. Here we’ll break down everything you need to know about Pluralsight and guide you through setting up your account.
Introducing Pluralsight
Pluralsight is an online education company that offers a variety of video training courses for software developers, IT administrators, and creative professionals through its website. Launched in 2004, Pluralsight has quickly become a trusted source for tech professionals seeking to level up their skills.
Overview of Pluralsight Features
Pluralsight offers numerous standout features. It allows users to access a comprehensive library of training courses taught by industry experts. The platform includes both individual courses and learning paths – curated lists of courses designed to improve proficiency in a specific area. Features such as offline viewing, exercise files, and learning checks further enrich the learning experience.
Online Learning and Skills Development
In the modern world, the importance of online learning cannot be overstated. With the advent of the internet and advancements in technology, gaining new skills has become more accessible than ever before. It’s an opportunity to learn from the comfort of your home, at your own pace, and often at a fraction of the cost of traditional education.
Why Choose Pluralsight?
Choosing Pluralsight gives you access to a vast and diverse library of courses. Whether you’re looking to learn programming, graphic design, or project management, you’ll find a course that suits your needs. Pluralsight’s well-curated learning paths help learners to stay on track and achieve their learning goals.
Setting Up Your Pluralsight Account
How to Create an Account?
Creating an account on Pluralsight is as straightforward as it gets. Visit the Pluralsight website, click on the ‘Sign Up’ button, and fill out the registration form. Once your account is created, you can start browsing through the courses immediately.
Navigating Your Account Settings
Once you’ve set up your account, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the account settings. Here, you can manage your personal information, notification preferences, and subscription details. Spend some time exploring these settings to ensure you get the most out of your Pluralsight experience.
Choosing the Right Subscription Plan
Pluralsight offers different subscription plans catering to different learning needs and budgets. You can choose between a monthly or annual plan, with the latter offering significant savings. You can also opt for a premium subscription, which includes added benefits like certification practice exams and interactive courses. Consider your learning objectives and budget when choosing your subscription plan.
At this point, you should be ready to embark on your learning journey with Pluralsight. With the steps outlined above, you can dive headfirst into this treasure trove of knowledge and skill-building resources. Remember, the key to mastering any skill is consistency and dedication. So, whether you’re boosting your career or learning for personal growth, Pluralsight is a reliable partner to have in your corner.
Click here to find out how Pluralsight Empowers You to Upgrade Your Skills.
Understanding the Pluralsight Interface
Overview of the Dashboard
Once you log into your Pluralsight account, you’ll land on the dashboard. This is your control panel from where you can access various resources, track your progress, and manage your learning.
Understanding Various Sections (e.g., Home, Paths, Channels, etc.)
The Pluralsight interface is intuitively designed and includes several sections:
- Home: This is your starting point and displays recommendations based on your interests and activity.
- Paths: Paths are curated lists of courses designed to help you master a specific skill or technology.
- Channels: Channels allow you to create custom learning paths. You can add courses, paths, and even individual modules to your channels.
- Browse: Here you can explore all the courses available on the platform by category or search term.
Searching for Courses
Finding the right course is easy on Pluralsight. You can use the search function at the top of the page to find courses, paths, or authors.
Learning Paths
What is a Learning Path?
A Learning Path on Pluralsight is a sequence of courses designed to help you become proficient in a specific subject area or technology. Instead of selecting individual courses, you can follow a Learning Path that guides you through a well-structured curriculum.
How to Choose a Learning Path?
Choosing a Learning Path depends on your learning goals. You can browse through different paths in your field of interest and select the one that aligns best with your objectives.
Tracking Progress in a Learning Path
As you progress through a Learning Path, Pluralsight tracks your completion. You can view your progress in the Paths section of your account.
Benefits of Following a Learning Path
Following a Learning Path has several advantages. It ensures a structured learning process, helps you grasp concepts in the right sequence, and builds your proficiency in a systematic manner. Plus, by the end of a Learning Path, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, boosting your confidence and making you ready to apply your new skills in real-world situations.
Exploring Courses
How to Select a Course?
Selecting a course largely depends on your learning objectives. After identifying what you want to learn, you can use the search bar to find relevant courses. Be sure to consider the course rating, the number of learners, and the instructor’s profile before making a selection.
Navigating Through Course Contents
Each course page on Pluralsight includes an outline of the course content, often broken down into modules. You can click on a module to view the individual lessons within it. This allows you to get a good sense of the course structure and content before you start.
How to Make Notes and Bookmarks?
Taking notes is crucial for effective learning. Pluralsight allows you to make notes and bookmarks directly on the platform. You’ll find the ‘Notes’ and ‘Bookmarks’ options on the video player page, which can be used to jot down important points and mark relevant sections for future reference.
Downloading Course Material and Offline Viewing
For offline learning, Pluralsight allows you to download course material and even entire courses. You can access the ‘Downloads’ option on the course page for this purpose. Note that offline viewing is available only through the Pluralsight mobile app.
Tips for Maximizing Learning from a Course
To maximize your learning, it’s recommended to take notes, engage with quizzes and exercises (if available), and actively participate in course discussions. Also, try to set a steady learning pace, giving enough time for concepts to sink in.
Channels
Introduction to Channels
Channels are a unique feature of Pluralsight, allowing you to create a personalized learning path by adding courses, paths, or even individual lessons.
How to Create and Manage a Channel?
Creating a channel is easy. Simply click on ‘Channels’ from your dashboard, then select ‘Create a new channel.’ Give your channel a name, a description (optional), and start adding courses. You can manage your channel by adding or removing courses, rearranging the sequence, or changing the channel’s visibility.
Benefits of Using Channels
Channels provide an opportunity to tailor your learning journey according to your specific needs. You can curate content across various topics, follow the sequence that suits you, and learn at your own pace.
Sharing and Collaborating Using Channels
One of the exciting features of Channels is that they can be shared with others, allowing for collaborative learning. You can share your Channel with colleagues, classmates, or friends, and learn together. You can also follow Channels created by others to benefit from their curated learning paths.
Assessments and Skill IQ
What is Skill IQ?
Skill IQ is a unique feature of Pluralsight that assesses your knowledge of a specific technology or skill. The idea is to help you understand your proficiency level and provide guidance on where to start or what to learn next.
Taking a Skill IQ Assessment
To take a Skill IQ assessment, navigate to the ‘Skill IQ’ section from your dashboard and choose an assessment related to your desired skill. The assessment generally consists of a series of questions. Remember, it’s not a test but a tool to help guide your learning journey.
Understanding Your Skill IQ Results
After completing the Skill IQ assessment, you’ll receive a score that categorizes your skill level as a novice, proficient, or expert. This result can help you decide whether to start with beginner-level courses or skip to more advanced topics.
Utilizing Skill IQ to Track Progress and Guide Learning
Skill IQ isn’t just a one-time assessment. You can retake the test after completing courses to track your progress. It’s a great way to see your improvement and guide future learning endeavors.
Role IQ
What is Role IQ?
Role IQ is another valuable feature of Pluralsight that measures your competency in a specific job role, like a JavaScript Developer or IT Operations Manager.
The Process of Earning a Role IQ
To earn a Role IQ, you need to take a series of assessments related to the skills needed for a specific role. After completing all assessments, you’ll receive your Role IQ, indicating whether you’re at a beginner, intermediate, or advanced level for the role.
The Benefits of Role IQ
Role IQ provides a clear roadmap of the skills you need to excel in a particular job role. It also allows you to track your progress as you learn and grow, making it an invaluable tool for career development.
Certificates and Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
How to Earn a Certificate?
After completing a course on Pluralsight, you can earn a certificate of completion. This certificate can be added to your resume or shared on professional networks like LinkedIn.
Understanding CPE Credits
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits are a way of quantifying your continued learning in your professional field. Pluralsight offers CPE credits, helping you maintain your professional qualifications while learning new skills.
Sharing Your Certificates
Pluralsight makes it easy to share your certificates of completion. Once you’ve earned a certificate, you can share it directly to LinkedIn or download it for personal use. Remember, showcasing your continued learning can enhance your professional profile and open up new opportunities.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Pluralsight
Setting and Tracking Goals
Goals keep you motivated and give your learning direction. On Pluralsight, you can set weekly learning goals and track your progress over time. This will help you stay focused and provide a sense of achievement.
Establishing a Learning Routine
Consistency is key to learning. It’s advisable to set aside regular, dedicated study time in your routine. Whether it’s an hour every morning or an entire weekend once a month, find what works best for you and stick to it.
Using the Mobile App for Learning on the Go
Learning shouldn’t be restricted to just your desktop. Pluralsight’s mobile app lets you learn anytime, anywhere. It’s perfect for commuting, traveling, or whenever you have some spare time. Plus, you can download courses for offline viewing.
Networking and Engaging with Other Learners
Engage with other learners in course discussions or community forums. This not only helps in clarifying doubts but also provides diverse perspectives and enhances your understanding of the subject. Plus, it’s a great way to network with like-minded individuals.
Troubleshooting and Support
Common Technical Issues and Solutions
Encountering technical issues on Pluralsight? Don’t worry. Most common issues like video playback problems or login errors can be resolved by refreshing the page, clearing your browser’s cache, or updating your browser to the latest version.
How to Contact Pluralsight Support?
If you’re facing problems that you can’t resolve yourself, you can contact Pluralsight Support through their Contact Us page. They’re ready to assist you with any issues or queries you might have.
Resources for Self-Help (FAQs, Guides, etc.)
Pluralsight has a comprehensive Help Center that covers everything from account setup and navigation to troubleshooting and general queries. It’s your go-to resource for quick self-help solutions.
With these tips and insights, you’re now well-equipped to start your Pluralsight journey. As you embark on this path of learning, remember to leverage all the features and tools at your disposal, and don’t hesitate to seek help when needed.
FAQs
1. How Much Does Pluralsight Cost?
Pluralsight offers several subscription plans, both for individuals and businesses. As of the last update, individual plans start at $29/month or $299/year. Pricing for business plans varies depending on the number of users and features needed.
2. Can I Access Pluralsight Offline?
Yes, you can. Pluralsight’s mobile app allows you to download courses for offline viewing, making it convenient for you to learn even without an internet connection.
3. How Can I Cancel My Pluralsight Subscription?
To cancel your Pluralsight subscription, navigate to your Account Settings and select ‘Subscription & Billing.’ Here, you’ll find the option to cancel your subscription.
4. Are There Any Prerequisites for Pluralsight Courses?
Most Pluralsight courses are designed to cater to various skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Therefore, prerequisites vary by course. Course descriptions usually specify if any prior knowledge is required.
5. Can I Earn Certifications Through Pluralsight?
While Pluralsight itself does not offer certifications, its courses align with many certification exams. After completing a course, you receive a certificate of completion, which can be added to your resume or professional profile.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pluralsight offers an incredible array of features to help you learn and grow professionally. From its comprehensive course offerings and unique learning paths to Role IQ and Skill IQ, Pluralsight serves as a holistic learning platform catering to a multitude of skills and roles. The platform’s flexibility allows you to set your learning pace and routines, while its community features enable you to network and learn from others. With these tools at your disposal, you’re all set to make the most of your Pluralsight journey.