We always look for great platforms to learn about tech and expand our knowledge.
Recently, I came across Brilliant.org, an online learning website claiming to change how we learn STEM subjects.
It got me curious, so I decided to try it and see what it’s all about. Now, you might be wondering why you should review Brilliant.org.
Brilliant.org has gained much attention and praise for its unique approach to teaching STEM.
It has become a popular choice for millions of learners worldwide and has a big impact on education.
So, I want to share my thoughts on Brilliant.org and explain why it’s worth considering for people who want to improve their understanding of science, technology, engineering, and math.
By reviewing Brilliant.org, I want to highlight its strengths, show how it benefits different types of learners, and explain why it’s a valuable resource for anyone who wants to expand their knowledge in STEM subjects.
Brilliant.org offers a fresh and engaging way to learn, and it’s worth exploring for those curious and eager to improve their skills in these areas.
Brilliant.org Review: What is Brilliant.org?
Sue Khim, a renowned innovator of online learning, founded Brilliant.org in 2012 as a community-driven online learning platform.
In addition to being named to Forbes’ “30 under 30 in education” list, Khim developed brilliant.org.
Brilliant.org teaches various STEM-related subjects online. A current list of 60+ courses includes neural networks, solar energy, and cryptocurrency topics.
The list is endless. In the following paragraph, we will thoroughly review everything taught on Brilliant.org.
Brilliant.org is more than just a collection of video courses. Brilliant.org recognizes that learning a new skill entails more than watching video tutorials.
The lessons are supplemented with interactive exercises, quizzes, and daily challenges, especially if you’re learning a difficult skill like quantum computing, linear algebra, or Python programming.
Brilliant.org materials should keep students as engaged as possible. Gamification is becoming popular in e-learning, and Brilliant.org has fully embraced this concept in its teaching approach.
Brilliant.org Review: Subjects Available To Learn Here
Brilliant.org, in a nutshell, teaches math and science concepts to a diverse audience of all ages and skill levels.
Based on an algorithm, a new Brilliant user is automatically assigned the best learning path.
Depending on your interests, you could be a student, a professional, a hobbyist, or a parent/teacher. Brilliant chooses the best courses and challenges based on your specific needs.
Listed below are the major subjects taught on Brilliant.org:
- Logic and deduction
- Geometry
- Mathematical thinking
- Contest math
- Algebra
- Advanced Mathematics
- Statistics and probability
- Calculus
- Classical physics
- Scientific thinking
- Foundational computer science
- Quantum mechanics
- Applied science
- Applied computer science
Don’t worry if a few of those topics interest you, but your brain shrivels. Brilliant.org is just what you need.
The very essence of this platform is to learn complex subjects engagingly.
Brilliant.org Pricing Plans: How Much Does It Cost?
Brilliant Premium subscriptions are available in 3 payment options:
- $24.99 per month for a monthly subscription. You’ll have to pay this fee to cancel your subscription at any time.
- Subscriptions are $129 a year ($10.83 a month). The subscription plan is more cost-effective than the monthly plan by two times. You are also required to pay for the entire year in one lump sum.
- $299.88 for an annual subscription for 3+ people. The Brilliant Premium account will be available separately to each group member, and the pricing can vary based on the final number of subscribers.
Exactly what will you get when you subscribe to Brilliant Premium? Here’s what you can expect.
How Much Does Brilliant Premium Cost?
The following benefits are included in a Brilliant Premium subscription:
- Brilliant.org offers all courses: Unless you sign up for Brilliant Premium, you’ll only be able to view the first chapter of each course. In addition to quizzes, puzzles, and other interactive lessons, all courses have an uncountable number of quizzes.
- Offline mode:Â The offline mode of Brilliant lets you learn on the go without an Internet connection.
- Guided courses:Â Expert-led courses in math and science are available through guided courses.
Additionally, subscribers to Brilliant.org receive full access to daily challenges.
A brain-wrencher is usually a new concept or a quick challenge. It keeps Brilliant.org subscribers’ neurons firing all the time.
Register on the site if you are interested in subscribing to Brilliant. After registering, every user can try Brilliant.org for two days.
You can access all the content on the site for free during the 7-day trial period. The free trial is an excellent opportunity to see whether Brilliant’s teaching style and content suit you.
Who is Brilliant.org For?
Brilliant’s platform targets students, professionals, and lifelong learners.
I believe the platform offers the most value to students and lifelong learners, and we will discuss each further below.
1. Students:
Brilliant is an excellent platform for students because of two main reasons. In addition, students can move at their own pace, regardless of how fast or slow the curriculum at their schools is.
Several young mathematicians have sought out challenges through Brilliant because their schools seemed to be moving too slowly for them.
In addition, many students find that lectures move too quickly, and Brilliant allows them to revise material more comfortably.
Second, Brilliant’s courses specialize in teaching difficult math and science topics in an accessible way.
Students with STEM backgrounds often struggle with lectures. In Brilliant’s courses, students aren’t given lectures but are encouraged to solve problems and participate actively.
2. Lifelong Learners:
The platform has one reason to be a good tool for life-long learners and an area where it could be improved.
Positively, Brilliant’s theory courses and active approach to education provide a great way to expand your mental toolkit with powerful mental models.
Learn about Newton’s laws, problem-solving, and thermodynamics, which have far-reaching implications beyond STEM.
Brilliant has the disadvantage of only offering STEM courses. Many lifelong learners prefer to incorporate models and mental models from other disciplines.
3. Professionals
Brilliant is not the ideal choice for career-focused students for two reasons. In general, courses emphasize applied academic learning rather than actual application.
While this is an excellent way to learn how to think, recruiters often seek evidence of hard skills and the application of knowledge/experience.
Brilliant’s courses aren’t accredited, and the company offers no certifications.
Is Brilliant.org Free?
Signing up for a free account on Brilliant.org gives you access to daily challenge problems and introductory lessons for each of its 60+ courses.
In addition to sharpening your skills, the daily challenge problems may occasionally help you learn something new.
The introductory lessons are enough to get you started, but if you want to learn more, you must upgrade to the premium version and unlock the entire course.
Pros and Cons Of Brilliant.org:
Here are some Pros and Cons of Brilliant.org:
Brilliant.org Pros
- The best learning experience we’ve ever seen (the most engaging and interactive)
- Enhances intellectual curiosity
- Learning aids with strong visual appeal
- Enhances your ability to solve problems
- This tutorial is great for struggling students who want to get ahead.
- It helps you build your mental model toolbox
Brilliant.org Cons
- Limited course selection (only STEM courses)
- Career advancement is not recommended
- Prices are a bit high when billed monthly
Alternatives To Brilliant.org
Every single platform has its few alternatives, and Brilliant has too. Let’s have a look at that:
1. Brilliant vs YouTube
Free math videos can be found on YouTube. However, you could spend a lot of time finding one that fits your needs. You won’t be able to interact with it when you do
Compared with YouTube, Brilliant’s beauty is that everything is curated in one place and designed to keep you absorbed in what you’re watching.
2. Brilliant vs Khan Academy
Khan Academy was initially designed primarily for K12 students with a strong focus on math but has expanded to include English and coding courses.
It is one of the best math resources if you are committed to completing Khan’s lessons. If you make mistakes, you will lose your mastery status. Khan also employs video.
This program aims at a broader audience and fully engages you in your learning through interactive problem-solving rather than passive video content.
Courses are more flexible, and failure is essential to the learning process.
Khan Academy is also free, which is another difference. In addition to the free trial of Brilliant, it is advisable to try Khan Academy as well.
Brilliant made more sense to me, helped me be more responsible for my learning, and allowed me to move through various topics in a logical, problem-solving manner.
3. Brilliant vs GoSkills
GoSkills teaches many subjects online, most of which are focused on practical business skills. Its science courses include experimental design and hypothesis testing.
Besides these, it also offers classes in general business subjects like project management, leadership training, and financial management.
Other relevant courses I have studied are Lifebook and Jim Kwik’s Superbrain Course, in addition to Jim Kwik’s Superbrain Course and Jim Kwik’s Superreading Course. MindValley offers all of these courses.
The MasterClasses will be presented with Bill Nye, Neil de Grasse Tyson, and Christopher Hadfield. You could also try CreativeLive if you’re more interested in developing your creativity than your STEM skills.
Quick Links:
- Benefits Of E-Learning & Why You Should Prefer Online Learning?
- Pluralsight Certificate: Is It Really Useful For eLearning?
- PluralSight Review: Is It Worth The Hype?
- E Learning Vs Virtual Learning: What’s Their Major Difference?
Conclusion: Brilliant.org Review 2024
The Brilliant subscription was well worth the money. I was impressed by the platform’s interactivity, gamification of difficult-to-learn skills, and overall user experience.
Because I am a visual learner, the entire platform felt tailor-made. During this review, I jumped right into Brilliant. The courses I discovered were well-designed, informative, and enjoyable.
This task is remarkable because computer science and artificial neural networks are notoriously difficult subjects. I found myself spending hours solving various puzzles and tasks.
Furthermore, I always looked forward to the daily challenges. Would I recommend the platform to people interested in STEM?
I certainly would. It is worthwhile to learn math and science with Brilliant Premium.
The subjects covered are nearly essential in the field of digital work. Knowing computer science fundamentals is a significant self-investment in the digital age.
If you are not interested in math and science, you should look elsewhere until Brilliant.org’s course catalog is expanded.
Brilliant.org is highly recommended to students interested in math and science online because it fills a unique niche in the e-learning industry.
