Microsoft Virtual Academy Alternative: Top Platforms for Online Learning
Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA) was a fantastic resource for technologists looking to continuously learn and upskill, offering hundreds of courses in various languages. Its mission was to help developers, IT professionals, and advanced students master the latest technology and advance their careers. However, as of 2019, MVA has been deprecated and merged with the Microsoft Learning Center. If you're searching for a robust Microsoft Virtual Academy alternative to continue your tech education, you're in the right place. We've compiled a list of the best platforms that offer similar, if not enhanced, learning experiences.
Top Microsoft Virtual Academy Alternatives
While MVA is no longer a standalone platform, the need for high-quality, accessible online tech education remains. These alternatives provide comprehensive courses, interactive learning environments, and diverse topics to help you stay ahead in the fast-evolving tech landscape.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere. As a powerful Microsoft Virtual Academy alternative, it offers a vast array of subjects, including computer programming, mathematics, science, and more. It's available on Free, Windows, Web, Android, iPhone, Windows S, Android Tablet, and iPad, and boasts features like multiple languages, an ad-free experience, a strong community, gamification, and interactive exercises, making learning engaging and accessible.
Codecademy
Codecademy stands out as an excellent Microsoft Virtual Academy alternative for learning to code. It's interactive, fun, and offers a hands-on approach to programming. Available on a Freemium model via the Web, Codecademy features robust coding environments, a built-in terminal, and support for popular languages like C++, Python, and Ruby, making it ideal for aspiring developers.
Coursera
Coursera offers a wide variety of free and paid courses from leading universities and companies, making it a comprehensive Microsoft Virtual Academy alternative for both scholastic and technical subjects. Available on a Freemium model via Web, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, Windows Phone, and iPad, Coursera is a prominent MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform focused on providing high-quality education.
W3Schools
For those focused on web development, W3Schools is an invaluable Microsoft Virtual Academy alternative. It's a free web developers information website with extensive tutorials and references on languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, SQL, and JQuery. Available exclusively on the Web, it's a go-to resource for practical coding and web development skills.
Udacity
Udacity's mission is to bring accessible, affordable, engaging, and highly effective higher education to the world. As a Commercial platform available on the Web, it serves as a strong Microsoft Virtual Academy alternative, particularly for those seeking career-focused education in tech fields, often collaborating with industry leaders to develop cutting-edge curricula.
Pluralsight
Pluralsight offers one of the largest online IT administration, developer, and creative training libraries globally, making it a premium Microsoft Virtual Academy alternative. Available on a Commercial basis across Mac, Windows, Web, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, iPad, Amazon Appstore, Apple TV, Software as a Service (SaaS), and Roku, it features automatic transcripts, offline access, and the ability to resume interrupted downloads, catering to professional development.
FutureLearn
FutureLearn provides free online courses from top universities and cultural institutions, positioning itself as a valuable Microsoft Virtual Academy alternative, especially for MOOC-style learning. Available for Free on the Web, it offers diverse educational content across various disciplines, including technology and digital skills.
SitePoint
SitePoint is an excellent Microsoft Virtual Academy alternative for learning web design and development. It offers tutorials, courses, and books on HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, PHP, mobile app development, and Responsive Web Design. Available on a Freemium model via the Web, it's a specialized resource for those looking to deepen their web development expertise.
Grasshopper
Grasshopper, developed by Google, is a free coding app for beginners, making it a fun and accessible Microsoft Virtual Academy alternative for learning JavaScript. With quick lessons on your phone, it's available on Web, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, and iPad, perfect for adult learners looking to write real code in an engaging format.
Egghead
Egghead provides bite-sized video tutorials for web developers, offering a focused and efficient Microsoft Virtual Academy alternative for mastering the latest frameworks from industry pros. Available on a Freemium basis via the Web, it's ideal for developers seeking concise, high-quality instruction on cutting-edge web technologies.
With the discontinuation of Microsoft Virtual Academy, a plethora of excellent online learning platforms have emerged to fill the void. Whether you're looking for free resources, comprehensive paid courses, or specialized training in coding and web development, there's a perfect Microsoft Virtual Academy alternative for your learning journey. Explore these options and find the best fit to continue building your skills and advancing your career in the ever-evolving world of technology.