The 7 Best Apple TV Learning Apps of 2020

Turn on, tune in, and learn something new

by
Jonny Evans
Writer
Johnny Evans is a former Lifewire writer who specializes in iPhones, iOS, and Apple TV and blogs daily about it at other publications.
our editorial process
Jonny Evans
Updated on September 25, 2020
The Ultimate Guide to Online Learning at Home
The Ultimate Guide to Online Learning at Home
Introduction

Distance learning systems rely heavily on video materials, so creating educational apps for Apple TV makes sense. The platform is increasingly being used by students and teachers alike for all kinds of lesson plans and curricula.

Here are seven great learning apps that you can install on your Apple TV.

01
of 07

Lynda.com

Lynda.com

 Lynda.com
What We Like

  • Thousands of instructional classes to choose from.

  • A free trial for the first month of membership.

  • Personalized course recommendations.

What We Don't Like

  • Need a Lynda.com account to access the app.

  • It's $25 per month after the free trial.

Lynda.com, from LinkedIn, provides access to over 4,700 courses in a range of subjects, including coding, time management, app creation, and Photoshop. There's also a bunch of Apple-specific topics. Some of the courses available on Apple TV include Online Marketing Fundamentals, Foundations of Programming: Fundamentals, and WordPress Essential Training.

02
of 07

Coursera

Coursera

Coursera 
What We Like

  • Hundreds of class subjects.

  • Watch videos for enrolled courses.

  • Earn official certifications.

What We Don't Like

  • Need to sign up for a Coursera account.

  • Not much free content. It's mainly designed for enrollees.

Coursera is committed to offering its courses through all available connected platforms. That's why the company was among the first to claim a spot on Apple TV. You can browse the Coursera course catalog, watch lectures, complete quizzes and assignments, and earn certificates, all from your Apple TV.

03
of 07

TED Talks

Ted Talk

Ted Talks 
What We Like

  • The entire TED Talks library is available for free.

  • Search by topics, playlists, or name.

  • The vast collection of talks from the smartest speakers around.

What We Don't Like

  • It doesn't have a certification program.

While TED isn't a learning provider and doesn't offer certification, it offers the chance to listen to lectures from some of the world's smartest people. That experience is invaluable for picking up new insights and learning new things. That's why TED Talk on Apple TV is useful. It provides an accessible way to find inspiration. Cue up talks, explore playlists by title or topic, and watch lectures from around the world with English subtitles.

04
of 07

Skillshare

Skillshare

Skillshare 
What We Like

  • Thousands of classes taught by experts.

  • A vast range of subjects, from practical to academic.

What We Don't Like

  • Most free content is a sneak peek of the paid courses.

  • Must sign up for an account and a 30-day free trial to use the site.

Skillshare is a self-paced education platform with a range of creative subjects. Most classes on the site can be completed in under an hour. The service describes itself as a learning community for creators. It encourages members to create and teach their own courses, as well as learn from other people. This creates a diversity of content, but you'll need to head elsewhere if you want any kind of certification.

Skillshare provides a one-month free trial, then charges a monthly fee.

05
of 07

MasterClass

MasterClass website
What We Like

  • An impressive catalog of acclaimed course instructors.

  • Many hours of content are available on most platforms.

  • The high production quality.

What We Don't Like

  • Don't get certification for completing courses.

  • Students can't interact with instructors.

  • It's pricey.

MasterClass is one of the rising stars in the world of online learning. The popular lecture series features seminars with highly respected artists, experts, prodigies, and virtuosos in a variety of fields.

Learn cooking from Wolfgang Puck, business and leadership from Howard Schultz, writing from Aaron Sorkin, filmmaking from Werner Herzog, photography from Annie Leibovitz, film scoring from Hans Zimmer, or any of more than 80 other topics and instructors. Classes can be viewed on your own time from the comfort of your Apple TV.

06
of 07

Classical Music Reimagined

Amphio screen

Amphio 
What We Like

  • It's a unique way to experience classical music.

  • BeatMap and NoteFall provide note-by-note illustrations.

What We Don't Like

  • The relatively small collection of classical music.

The Classical Music Reimagined app from TouchPress lets you listen to classical music performances while the music notation scrolls on the screen. It includes a beat map to help you identify which parts of the orchestra are playing. The unique NoteFall feature allows you to follow the music as it plays, learning more about music notation in the process.

07
of 07

Solar Walk 2

Solar Walk 2

 Solar Walk 2
What We Like

  • View ISS and Hubble Telescope positions in real time.

  • Study all sorts of heavenly bodies up close.

  • The absorbing and dramatic soundtrack.

What We Don't Like

  • It's a paid app and doesn't have free content.

  • Displays simulations, not photos.

Solar Walk 2 is a great way to discover the solar system. It provides an interactive, 3D way to explore the solar system. It's packed with graphics-rich experiences, stunning visual effects that show the impact of solar flares, planetary atmospheres, and asteroid belts. You can flip through space and time. The developers of Vito Technology also developed the acclaimed Starwalk app, which is available for the Apple TV.