How to Learn Coding Online

Most of today’s world operates through the internet in some form. It’s hard to come by a business that doesn’t have a website or an app. Coding is the area of study that writes programs and shapes them for various purposes. That can include developing websites to connect with audiences, programming fitness trackers to monitor health, or making games to play during downtime. Coding is meant to make people’s lives easier and more enjoyable. It takes technical skill and exceptional attention to detail because a tiny error can make a program behave oddly.

Despite its technical depth, coding has become more accessible to the public with the increasing relevance of the internet over the past two decades. Anyone can learn to code their website, video game, or app. Even high school students are now able to master the skills that are needed to become a developer.

In response to this increasing relevance, coding classes and tools are becoming more widespread, and many are conducted online. That means even the busiest people can learn a coding language without wasting time commuting, no matter where they are in the world.

What is Coding?

Coding is one of the most in-demand skills dominating today’s job market. In simple terms, coding is the language that tech professionals use to tell devices how they should operate. There are several coding languages that are used for different purposes; some of the more common languages include Java, Python, and JavaScript.

Coding skills are required in many positions, including Software Engineer, Full Stack Developer, Cybersecurity Analyst, Machine Learning Engineer, and many others. The main upside of coding is that it’s also adaptable to nearly any industry, including education, fashion, finance, medicine, entertainment, and marketing. While it may seem complicated to break into a coding career, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Nowadays, anyone can become a coder and obtain an entry-level position after taking a coding bootcamp or two.

Read more about what coding is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Coding?

Coding is an incredibly versatile field that covers a wide selection of topics. You’ll be able to create websites, algorithms, and programs that have uses in every industry on the market. Even if your chosen career operates primarily in-person, you’ll be able to take creative approaches to coding that will make everyone’s lives easier.

You can make your own video game, build an online presence for your small business, or code simple programs that automate your mundane tasks. There’s no limit to what you can do with coding. This impressive skill will always serve you well if you have an imaginative mind and a willingness to learn more.

Finding a Live Online Coding Course

Live online classes are picking up in popularity due to their flexibility. They include the benefits of in-person classes, such as an engaging, interactive lesson from an expert instructor. In addition, these classes take place in real-time, and you’ll be able to learn coding from anywhere in the world.

Live online coding courses and live online coding bootcamps are easy to find through the Classes Near Me search engine created by Noble Desktop. You’ll find dozens of classes and certificate programs covering various programming languages and coding-related topics. Here are some examples that are worthwhile for anyone ready to start now:

Online Coding Classes

If you’re relatively new to coding but want to become career-ready within a few weeks, you can start with the Front End Web Development Certificate and apply for a job as a Front End Developer. This certificate program teaches you the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript languages alongside WordPress fundamentals, giving you all the tools you need to create a well-structured and interactive website.

WordPress is a highly customizable Content Management System (CMS) used by nearly half of all websites. The WordPress for Coders class teaches you how to use HTML and CSS to maximize WordPress’s potential. If you want to take it a step further and learn how to use animations on your website, the JavaScript for Front End class will show you how.

These classes only cover the front end, and you can also learn the back end of websites to increase your marketability. Those that want to learn both front end and back end principles can sign up for the Full Stack Web Development Certificate. Full Stack Developers have skills in both areas and can transition smoothly between roles.

If you’re interested in learning about the algorithms used on Netflix, Spotify, and TikTok, the Python Machine Learning class teaches you how they work. Python is an excellent programming language for data-intensive roles, and the Python for Data Science Bootcamp presents practical applications. For those that have a finance background, you might find that the Python for Finance Bootcamp is helpful to your career plans.

Online Coding Classes for High Schoolers

High school students can also benefit significantly from coding classes because it will show colleges that they’re already preparing for the future. These classes are by NextGen Bootcamp and run during the summer, so they won’t interfere with your studies during the school year.

Two notable courses include the Python for Data Science & Machine Learning and Java Programming classes. Each is only three hours a day on weekdays, which means you’ll have plenty of time to meet with your friends afterward. Remote classes also enable you to learn while you’re on a trip to the beach or at your vacation home without interrupting the learning process.

On-Demand Coding Classes

Taking on-demand classes is one of the best ways to reinforce the knowledge you learn in your coding classes. They’re self-paced and perfect for anyone who wants to learn to code but has other obligations that would interfere with attending an in-person or live online class. The main drawback of this format is that you can’t get immediate feedback from your instructor.

On-demand courses are also helpful when you’re planning to learn a coding topic such as Python but still need to adjust your schedule to allow room for a course or bootcamp. If you want to learn to code but aren’t sure where to start, free on-demand classes are also a solid way to test them out. Look into some on-demand classes and use them to explore various coding topics before deciding which one to pursue.

Free Intro Courses & Tutorials

You might feel a little overwhelmed when looking for coding classes and bootcamps, which is perfectly understandable. You’ll likely want to start with something that matches your interests or aligns with your career goals.

It’s okay to hesitate when you’re starting the process of learning to code. Try some free courses first to see which topics appeal to you, and then you can go from there. Many pre-recorded lectures cover the fundamentals and will give you enough knowledge to gauge if it’s right. All these free courses are intended to let you test the waters and make an informed decision before committing.

Websites are where most people start when they’re first learning to code, and the Intro to Front End Web Development class by Noble Desktop shows you which programming languages are needed and how to use them. From there, you can look into WordPress, one of the internet's most-used Content Management Systems (CMS). WordPress is highly customizable, and the Intro to WordPress for Developers course teaches you how HTML and CSS knowledge can enhance its interface.

Another side of coding is data science. General Assembly's free Intro to Data Science class teaches you the essential practices data scientists use. They also have an Intro to Data Analytics course that covers Google Sheets and other standard tools.

Read about more free coding videos and online tutorials.

Comparing Online Learning with In-Person Learning

Everyone has different learning styles and preferences, and you might find that your friend’s preferences don’t necessarily match your own. Similarly, you’ll want to use your time effectively, and only you know what that means in the context of your life. Most people know how an in-person class is conducted, but if you’ve never been in an online class before, here are a few noteworthy differences between learning in-person and online.

In-person courses will naturally require you to travel to a physical classroom. Your instructor will be able to look over your shoulder and help you correct any errors you make in your assignments. The major draw of in-person classes is the group setting—you’ll be able to work with your peers and compare and contrast your progress with each other.

Online learners enjoy the time that they save commuting through their live online classes, which also leads to spending less money on transportation. Most importantly, these classes are taught by the same experts that would teach in-person classes, meaning the quality of your lessons will be the same regardless of your choice. Although they’re conducted remotely, your instructor will work with you in real-time and can provide feedback immediately.

If you have obligations preventing you from traveling, you might consider taking a live online course. If you don’t mind traveling and have no other commitments, in-person classes are a solid choice too.

Learning Coding Basics

Before you code your website or app, you’ll want a solid foundation to make learning complex topics more accessible. It’s essential to start with the fundamentals and build upon your skills.

Learning to code is a marathon, not a sprint. You’ll have a better overall experience if you pace yourself and focus diligently on the topics in front of you. Once you’ve learned the basics, many more doors will open up for you. If you take a certificate or bootcamp program in the fundamentals, you could apply for a coding job and begin your new career.

Tips to Succeed when Learning Coding Online

Planning for the future is always important, and planning for an online class is no exception, especially if you haven’t been in the classroom for a while. Take an inventory of the online learning essentials before you start: do you have a functioning laptop or desktop? Are your chargers and blue light glasses ready to go? Do you have contact information for your class written down in case you disconnect due to a power outage?

Preparing can be a hassle at first, but you’ll thank yourself afterward. After you’ve prepped for your class, you can focus on the actual course material, and it will be smoother sailing from there. Think of what you want to do with your coding abilities, and see what skills you’ll need to learn to accomplish those goals. While you’re learning to code, it’s important to practice when you’re not in class. If practicing every day isn’t feasible, try to practice as often as possible throughout the week. Even four days a week can be enough because that’s more than half the time.

It’s perfectly okay to take breaks when needed. Another unspoken benefit of online classes is that you won’t disturb anyone if you stand up to stretch or grab some coffee. You'll be good as long as you’re on-task when needed (and keep your mic on mute while you’re away!).

Key Insights

• Anyone can learn to code, even if you’re in high school or the working world.
• Go at your own pace, as long as you’re making progress
• Location is no longer a factor, thanks to online coding classes
• Bootcamps and certificate programs can accelerate your learning process
• Preparation is the key to success!

Learn Coding with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop has a robust collection of coding classes and bootcamps that fit various learning needs. They offer in-person classes in Manhattan as well as live online classes internationally. All classes have relatively small class sizes and are taught by coding experts who have practical knowledge in the field. After completing your classes, you’ll have the option to retake those courses at no cost for up to one year, allowing you to practice, review subjects, and receive insights from instructors for free.

If you’re eager to learn a collection of coding languages and applications, the Software Engineering Certificate will give you a taste of three notable ones. You’ll start with Front End Web Development, allowing you to create websites through HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Once you understand these subjects, you’ll shift focus to JavaScript’s various frameworks and databases, including React, Node.js, and Express.js. Finally, you’ll learn Python Development with Django, which is helpful for server-side programming, among other topics.

The Full-Stack Web Development Certificate provides a comprehensive education in coding designed to take you from coding novice to career-ready. You’ll first learn to develop the front ends of websites with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and WordPress. After that, you’ll dive into a JavaScript back end stack known as MERN: MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js.

Anyone interested in algorithms and data collection should look into the Python for Data Science Bootcamp. It’ll show you the fundamentals of Python and everything that it entails. The possibilities of uses with Python are vast. Companies such as Netflix and Amazon use Python, and this bootcamp will teach you how to start writing your own Python programs.