Which Dreamweaver Training Format Is Right for Me?

Dreamweaver is an Adobe program many professionals use to create websites. There are many job options for Web Designers, and employment in this field will grow faster than average in the next ten years. When comparing types of training for Dreamweaver and other web design applications, there are many factors to consider. Everyone learns differently, and choosing the right training is critical to your experience.

Keep reading to learn more about the different formats of web design training, how they compare, and how to determine which is best for you.

What is Dreamweaver?

Dreamweaver is a downloadable Adobe software program used for designing websites and webpages. It works with either Windows or Mac. Using Dreamweaver, designers can create their own websites from scratch or use the provided starter template pages. The program integrates with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications, making importing content from any Adobe app easy.

With Dreamweaver, there are two different ways to design. Users without any knowledge of HTML can use live view, where Dreamweaver generates the required code and displays the content as it will look in a web browser. Users who know HTML can type their code into the program’s code editor. These users will also be able to take advantage of Dreamweaver’s more advanced design options.

This application was created in 1997 and became a popular web design tool. However, in recent years, Dreamweaver has decreased in popularity, with many designers opting for programs such as Visual Studio Code or WordPress instead. It is still used by some Web Designers, though the overall percentage of websites created with Dreamweaver is estimated to be small. Dreamweaver is most popular among people who already have Adobe Creative Cloud or want to stay within the Adobe ecosystem.

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

What Can You Do with Dreamweaver and Other Web Design Programs?

Web Designers create and maintain websites. In some cases, one person is responsible for an entire website, while in other cases, several team members may work on the job. Knowing how to use Dreamweaver or another web design program can help a designer get started in the field of web design. Web Designers are needed in almost every industry since the majority of businesses and organizations now have websites. US News ranked web design number six in its list of Best Technology Jobs of 2022.

There are many different specialties within the field of web design. Front End Developers specialize in creating the part of the website that users see and interact with, such as the overall layout and individual features like logos or links. Back End Developers work on things that the user does not interact with but are essential to the website's function, like creating and maintaining the database. User experience (UX) design is another job related to web design. A UX Designer ensures that website users have the best experience possible. This includes ensuring that a website is intuitive and easy to use and that the experience is enjoyable for the user.

People with web design knowledge can also work in many other jobs. For example, some Web Designers end up as Application Designers, who develop applications for specific devices such as computers or mobile phones. Information Architects help make information on a website easier to find and understand. Visual Designers are responsible for the aesthetics of a website and work on things such as making sure it engages users. Overall, there are many ways to utilize knowledge of web design.

Training Formats for Dreamweaver

Students who want to learn Dreamweaver can choose in-person, live online, or on-demand classes. Each format has advantages and disadvantages, and the best option will depend on an individual’s learning style, schedule, and financial situation.

In-Person Dreamweaver and Web Design Training

Many people find in-person training the best way to master Dreamweaver or other web design programs. A significant advantage of learning in person is that students receive live instruction from a teacher who can explain complex concepts and more easily understand whether a student needs extra help. Students are more likely to connect with other students in a live classroom, which can lead to additional learning opportunities. Yet another advantage of live instruction is that students are typically in a focused learning environment with minimal distractions.

However, not all students opt for in-person training. Only certain cities have live web design classes, so for some people, live training is not an option. Live training also runs on set schedules, and people with full-time jobs or otherwise busy schedules might need a more flexible schooling option.

For those who are able to enroll in live training, Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool is a good way to find in-person Dreamweaver classes nearby. Noble Desktop doesn’t teach Dreamweaver but offers many live training classes for other popular web design programs. These classes occur at its New York City campus, located near several public transportation hubs.

Live Online Dreamweaver and Web Design Training

Some people find that live online classes perfectly combine live interaction and flexibility. In these types of classes, students receive live instruction and the benefits that come from connecting with an instructor, but they have the flexibility to attend from any location that they choose. Students who choose live online classes have many more class options than in-person classes. Many also like that they can network with classmates who often live all over the country or even around the world.

Yet, attending classes online can also have some disadvantages. Students who learn at home may not have access to the same tools that students get in a live classroom setting, such as computer labs and the latest software. They may also face more distractions at home. Finally, like in-person classes, live online courses run at set times, so students still need to follow a strict schedule.

Students looking for live online Dreamweaver classes can use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool, which provides a list of available options. There are no live online Dreamweaver classes at Noble Desktop, but there are plenty of other live online web design classes.

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

Those who want to learn more about Dreamweaver and other web design programs, but aren’t ready to commit to a paid class, can find some free introductory courses online through Noble Desktop. For instance, Get Started in Web Design is an overview of how HTML and CSS are used to create webpages. 

For Dreamweaver specifically, there are some free tutorials on other websites. For instance, a YouTube search will return a number of options. Udemy is another place to find a free Dreamweaver tutorial for beginners. Students can also access Adobe’s website to access numerous free Dreamweaver tutorials.

Students who decide to utilize free online courses should be careful to check the reliability and truthfulness of their information. To assess reliability, experts advise checking the author’s credentials or researching the information source. Sometimes, online tutorials and other free resources must be updated or corrected.

Read about more free Dreamweaver videos and online tutorials.

On-Demand Classes

Live classes are generally considered the best way to learn Dreamweaver and other web design programs because students receive real-time instruction and instructor feedback. They can also collaborate and network with other students, enhancing the learning experience. Students who want these benefits but cannot attend a live in-person class can enroll in a live online class. Live online classes also include live interaction and feedback, but rather than having to commute to a school classroom, students can attend from any location as long as they can sign on at the scheduled time.

Comparison of Web Design Training Formats

Dreamweaver and other web design programs can be learned in-person, live online, or on demand. Each format has different advantages and disadvantages. On-demand classes have become much more widespread recently; however, research shows that the majority of people still feel like live classes are the most effective way to learn. For example, in 2019, the nonprofit association EDUCAUSE questioned more than 40,000 undergraduate students in 118 US schools about their learning preferences. It found that 70 percent of students prefer classes that are solely or mostly face-to-face.

When discussing the benefits of face-to-face instruction, students often mention their personal connection with instructors and fellow students. Many find that this makes live instruction more engaging and effective. Students also report that they enjoy the hands-on learning, live feedback, and access to computer labs and up-to-date software that frequently come with a live class. Another benefit of this format is that it allows students to collaborate and network with peers more easily. Finally, classroom space is designed for learning, without many distractions in other places, and many students say that this makes it easier to focus on the lesson.

While not the same as in-person instruction, live online training has a number of similarities. Students in live online classes can also interact with instructors and students and get live feedback. Likewise, they can collaborate and network with peers. In fact, some students say that networking opportunities are even better in live online classes because some online classes contain students from all over the country or even the world. The main thing that differentiates live online courses from in-person ones is that no commute is required, and students can attend from anywhere with an internet connection.

On-demand classes also let students learn new skills like Dreamweaver without commuting to a classroom. These classes are the most flexible option because they are self-paced, allowing students to work through the course material as quickly or slowly as they choose. The downside to on-demand classes is that they lack live instruction. This can also mean that some on-demand classes might be outdated.

Is it Possible to Teach Yourself Web Design?

There are many free resources for Dreamweaver and other web design programs, and students can teach themselves by using these resources. For instance, the Noble Desktop YouTube site has several free web design tutorials. Adobe provides free tutorials for Dreamweaver specifically. Free resources are a good way to learn some web design basics.

However, it can be overwhelming to sort through all of the free data online and to decide which sources contain correct information. For this reason, many web design students ultimately decide to invest in a paid class taught by a professional instructor. Not only will a professional instructor provide accurate training, but they can explain difficult concepts and answer questions.

How to Decide the Best Way to Learn Dreamweaver

Students trying to decide the best way to learn Dreamweaver need to consider several factors, including how much time they can devote to a class, what level of help they need, how much they can pay, and what they plan to do with their knowledge. Web design classes come in many different formats, and by answering these questions first, students will be able to narrow down their options. 

Those looking for a basic understanding of a particular web design application may start by looking for free classes. Noble Desktop has free web design seminars on a variety of topics. For instance, Intro to WordPress doesn’t require any coding experience and can help students start learning about this app. Intro to Javascript is another free seminar offered by Noble. 

However, while free classes can be helpful, students who want to master a particular web design program will probably need to take a paid course where they can receive expert instruction. Another benefit of paid classes is that many include mentoring and career support to ensure that students not only learn the program but can find a job where they can utilize their new skills. Noble Desktop is one place to get expert instruction in web design. The school runs both part-time and full-time classes, either online or live, at its facility in New York City.

Noble and other class providers offer different types of web design classes to suit the varied needs of their students. Some students want additional web design knowledge in order to fill a gap in their skills or to grow within their current roles. For them, bootcamps like Advanced HTML & CSS can be a good option. Those who want a more comprehensive class can choose a certificate program like Web Design Certificate. A certificate program can be a good choice for students who want to master web design to transition to a new career or industry.

Learn Dreamweaver with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop teaches hands-on web design courses in a variety of formats, with something to fit every type of schedule and learning style. Every class is small and led by expert instructors. Noble also offers a free retake for all of its courses. With the free retake, students can retake a course once within a year without paying for it again. This can be an excellent way to gain additional web design skills.

One popular type of class at Noble Desktop is a web design bootcamp. Bootcamps are intensive programs that teach skills quickly and focus on preparing graduates to use those skills in the workplace. In 2020, tech company HackerRank surveyed 116,000 developers from 162 countries about coding bootcamps and found that about a third of hiring managers hired developers who gained their skills from a bootcamp. Noble Desktop teaches many bootcamps related to web design, including Visual Design Portfolio Bootcamp.

Students looking for a more in-depth web design course can enroll in Noble’s Web Design Certificate. This comprehensive program takes six weeks full-time or five months part-time and teaches students to build websites using WordPress. Students in the certificate program will also learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript coding languages and Figma for webpage layouts.