E-Learning and a Case Study of Coursera and edX Online Platforms

Since e-learning has become an increasingly established form of education, we are interested in its advantages, disadvantages and possibilities, which are not yet sufficiently explored, especially in the coronavirus or post-coronavirus period. This study analyses the literature and compares two of the world-leading online educational platforms – Coursera and edX – focusing on participants’ views, which are often neglected. We found that the greatest advantage of e-learning is the elimination of time and space constraints, while the greatest disadvantage is the poor motivation and concentration of learners. The Dex method showed that Coursera and edX online platforms are very similar, with Coursera online platform scoring only slightly better due to its affordability and greater variety in the learning content. The netnography analysis also showed that the predominant reason for participating in e-learning on these two platforms is to acquire new knowledge, followed by an interest in the chosen field.