The internet has brought about a paradigm shift in the way that learning takes place. In the past, you’d have to physically enroll yourself in classes after school or over the weekend if you wanted to pick up a new skill or learn a language. If you were looking to change career paths drastically, it was next to impossible unless you stepped away and got a different qualification by putting your life on hold. The internet has changed this completely, as online education has become one of the best tools for you to acquire new skills.
For example, if you have a fascination for coding but don’t know how to translate that into a skill, you can turn to one of the premier online courses offered by a range of platforms. Designed for different levels of expertise, starting with beginners who have no experience in the field, most of these courses can be taken without any time constraints. If you have only 2 to 4 hours in the week to dedicate to learning coding, you can continue at that pace from the comforts of your home. This list of the best online coding courses can be very helpful in choosing one for you!
Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python by MIT (edX)
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a terrific introductory course about computer science and coding using Python on the edX platform, which can be the gamechanger that you have been looking for in order to make a foray into the world of coding. This is essentially the first half of a two-part course sequence offered on the platform and starts with an introduction to computing and a brief overview of the Python programming language. This is followed by learning simple algorithms, testing and debugging, data structures and more.
While the course material is available without paying any fees if you are registered on the platform, adding a verified certification makes for a great addition to your resume.
Complete Python Bootcamp: Go from Zero to Hero in Python 3 (Udemy)
Many people start their coding journey with Python because of the similarities between the English language and this programming language. If you are looking to start along the same trajectory, Udemy offers a spectacular course — the Complete Python Bootcamp — that gives you in-depth knowledge of the subject, delving into Python 2 and 3 in great detail.
This is a very affordable course — because of deals that the platform offers — that will help you understand the basics and move on to the complexities of Python and even make your own games using the platform. There are no prerequisites in place for signing up for this course and all you need is a laptop with a decent internet connection to start learning.
Responsive Web Design Certification (Free Code Camp)
Essentially a non-profit organization that is aimed at helping a large number of people learn how to code without shelling their hard-earned money, Free Code Camp uses a range of interactive tools to make the process so much easier for you. There are thousands of coding lessons and articles — supported by interesting videos — that you can gain access to when you use this platform. There are also many different study groups that this platform has helped form across the globe so that you can share your learning with a community. Start from the beginning and work your way through the range of courses offered on the platform.
Introduction to Java Programming – Part 1 by HKUST (edX)
Another great coding course offered on the edX platform is the first part of the Introduction to Java Programming course put together by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. This is an introductory level course taught entirely in English and runs for a period of five weeks. During this period, you are required to put in 3-5 hours of study time every week. As opposed to the other courses that laid emphasis on Python, this course is all about learning the other major programming language — Java. Once you have completed the course, you have the chance of adding a verified certification for $99.
Code School (Pluralsight)
Pluralsight is one of those platforms that simply can’t ignore when it comes to high-quality online learning. While there are multiple tools offered across the platform, we will restrict ourselves to the Code School, one of the best online tools for people looking to develop skills in the realm of coding. While you do have the option of choosing an individual course and sticking to that, the platform also allows you to follow a path where you complete one course after another in succession to master a particular skill.
There is a range of interactive elements that help in making the process of learning more fun. For example, the videos are designed to be more fun and engaging. This is followed by tasks that you undertake to test your knowledge.
Web Design for Everybody: Basics of Web Development & Coding Specialization by University of Michigan (Coursera)
This is a comprehensive web development and coding course offered by the University of Michigan on the Coursera platform. Put together to teach you the basics of designing and creating websites as well as a portfolio using tools like HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript, this course gives you high-quality education from one of the country’s leading universities within the comforts of your own home.
Taught by Colleen van Lent, Ph.D. and Charles Russell Severance, this course is offered free of cost on the Coursera platform. Modules include an introduction to HTML5 and CSS3, as well as interactivity with JavaScript and advanced styling with responsive design. Upon the completion of this course, you are eligible for getting a course certificate that you can add to your resume at an additional cost.
The Break into Tech Course Package (Skillcrush)
If you are looking for a comprehensive course that works on a curriculum that emulates a classroom setting and makes you employable at the end, the Break into Tech Course offered by Skillcrush should be high up on your list. This online coding platform allows you to choose from a range of three-month courses, for example, visual design, web development, front-end development, UX and more, all of which have been designed to keep you engaged and learning.
This particular course, however, is a nine-month program that is designed to do exactly what the name suggests — breaking into the tech sector with high-quality learning. In addition to getting access to a classroom type of chat forum with other students enrolled in the course, you also get some individual time with the instructor to solve any doubts you may have.
Introduction to Python Programming (Udacity)
The last course on this list — the Introduction to Python Programming course by Udacity — is another fantastic Python coding course for you to try out but what makes it stand out is the fact that it is offered free of cost! Designed to help you get an insight into object-oriented programming, Udacity has integrated this course with the Full Stack Web Developer program. With this, you can delve deeper into coding once you finish this particular course.
Coding can be quite scary when you look at it from the outside but this course has been designed in a way that it walks you through all the basics in a clear way. You gain access to a range of techniques that make it easier for you to share or reuse code. Keep in mind that there is no certification provided upon the completion of this course, but you can go in for a Nanodegree program for that!
The coding universe is a vast one. There are many different languages used, different objectives achieved and different paths taken to achieve these objectives. This makes it very difficult to round up the best online coding courses.
This, however, should not keep you from finding a good place to start your journey. This list of coding courses has been created keeping in mind the diversity in the coding universe. There is something for everyone, regardless of where your current understanding of coding stands. Choose from amongst the spectacular free and paid courses on this list and you may just be kickstarting your career in a different realm.
