Coding Classes: Learn to Code in Short Courses

By: Dan Rodney, Noble Desktop
Last Updated: August 17, 2018

Many coding schools offering full-time, intensive programs that span weeks or months. For those looking for a career switch, these coding bootcamps are often the best option. But what you're not sure if coding is right for you, or what type of coding you'd like to get into? Say you just need to understand enough to communicate with your programming team.

For many, shorter coding classes are the best way to get started or get what they need. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of shorter coding classes that still offer the option to scale up into bigger programs.

Make Sure Coding is Right for You

You're exploring career paths but you're not quite ready to take the leap. Maybe you're not sure if you'll be good at coding or whether you'll enjoy it.

See what front-end web coding is like in a free 2-hour seminar How to Get Started in Web Design (in NYC or online) where you'll learn to build and upload a website.

Learn to build a fully functioning iPhone app iOS app in Get Started Building iOS Apps (a free 2-hour seminar in NYC).

Noble Desktop helps us understand the benefits of skilling-up with short code courses.

Earn a Certificate Over Time

You can take intro classes that build up to a full certificate program. Try a 3-hour hands-on course like Into to HTML & CSS to see if how you like coding. Take a slightly longer class like Web Development Level 1. Those classes not only let you see how you like coding, but are also the start of Web Design and Web Development Certificates.

Choose the Right Type of Coding

You're planning on a career switch into coding, but still not quite sure what to focus on: front or back-end web development, mobile app development, data science, etc.

Shorter classes can help you choose the right path before commiting to a longer bootcamp. Here are some coding courses, all 20 hours or less, that let you try out various coding languages:

Noble Desktop helps us understand the benefits of skilling-up with short code courses.

Prep for Bootcamps

Some bootcamps have placement tests and knowledge requirements for getting accepting into their programs. Prepare yourself with shorter courses to increase your acceptance chances, and give yourself a head start for the intensive program so you can get more out of it.

Getting started in coding or programming is the hardest part, and starting that on your own can be challenging.

For example, the Flatiron School's Software Engineering Immersive requires knowledge of HTML/CSS, and JavaScript. Getting started with self-learning, especially for something like JavaScript, is daunting for many. With intro courses you can get started, or learn the more difficult prerequisites.

Learn Just What You Need

Are you a project manager who needs to communicate effectively with your development team? A back-end developer looking to round out some front-end skills? Maybe you just want to expand your interests, or work on some side projects, like a website or app.

Learn in short classes to get just what you need. Dabble in the specific programming languages your development team uses, or plug in holes in your coding experience. You don't need a full-time commitment to continue adding skills to your repertoire.

Get Your Employers to Pay for Training

If your job requires you to learn some coding (or if coding could be useful for your job), shorter classes may be perfect for you. Companies are more inclined to send you to a shorter class because you're not out of work as much. Additionally, employers are less likely to pay for longer programs that might help an employee change careers or leave for a different company.


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