JavaScript is a versatile coding language that offers an excellent starting point for beginners looking to branch into programming careers such as web development, mobile development, and software development. This article explores a range of on-demand classes for learning JavaScript, as well as the professional opportunities this coding language can unlock.
Key Insights
- JavaScript is a highly applicable coding language used in a variety of professional fields, including web development, mobile development, software development, and video game design.
- Back End Developers, who work with servers, networks, and databases, often use JavaScript in addition to other coding languages such as Python, SQL, PHP, or Ruby.
- Learning JavaScript can enhance a resume and offer utility in automating tedious processes, even for coding hobbyists.
- JavaScript is considered one of the easiest programming languages to learn, with robust community support and a multitude of on-demand classes available for students to learn at their own pace.
- The Digital Workshop Center offers a Frontend Web Development Certificate that equips students with skills in JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and popular JavaScript frameworks. The course also includes instruction in Adobe Photoshop, SEO, Google Analytics, and concludes with a tailored capstone project.
- QuickStart provides a Web Development Bootcamp that accommodates students of varying experience levels, from beginners to mid-level developers. The course covers JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Python, and SQL, with additional focus on UX and UI design.
While many programming professionals will likely need to learn at least a few coding languages to fulfill their job duties, JavaScript is an excellent starting point for learning more complicated languages, like Python and C++.
JavaScript is used worldwide, making it an excellent coding language for job seekers to learn. JavaScript is primarily used to add interactivity to web, mobile, and desktop applications. Video Game Developers also commonly use JavaScript. JavaScript Developers can also work in mobile development, web development, and computer software development. Back-end Developers who commonly work with servers, networks, and databases also commonly use JavaScript in addition to Python and other coding languages such as SQL, PHP, or Ruby. Even hobbyists who seek to learn to code for personal interest may be surprised by hidden uses for JavaScript they hadn’t considered. At the very least, learning JavaScript can boost one’s resume and automate tedious processes.
Newcomers to coding may at first be intimidated by JavaScript. However, JavaScript is considered one of the easiest programming languages to learn. Due to being open source, it possesses a community of knowledgeable developers who continue to expand the language’s libraries and are eager to assist new coders. Interested students will also find a plethora of on-demand classes that allow them to learn JavaScript at their own pace.
The # Best On-Demand JavaScript Classes
- Digital Workshop Center—Front-end Web Development Certificate
- QuickStart—Web Development Bootcamp
- ONLC Training Centers—Front-end Web Development Essentials
- MIT xPRO—Professional Certificate in Coding
- The Tech Academy—Self-Paced JavaScript Boot Camp
- Certstaffix—JavaScript e-learning Bundle Course
- Flatiron School—Software Engineering Bootcamp
- General Assembly—Software Engineering Immersive
- Springboard—Software Engineering Bootcamp
- Udemy—The Complete JavaScript Course
#1: Digital Workshop Center—Front-end Web Development Certificate
Digital Workshop Center offers a Front-end Web Development Certificate for students seeking a career in web design. Students learn to code with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript as well as popular JavaScript frameworks, including Angular, React, and Bootstrap. The course includes instruction in Adobe Photoshop for creating webpage frameworks and mock-ups. Students also learn Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Google Analytics to improve website marketing and monitor website traffic. The certificate completes with a capstone project that is customized to your interests and guided by a mentor.
Key Information
Courses from DWC work differently than traditional on-demanded classes. Students can work through the program at their own pace. However, each stand-alone class includes an instructor who offers guidance and assigns homework. This certificate is offered with an on-demand schedule and instruction that is closer to professional training.
The Front-end Web Development Certificate is typically completed by most students between four to six months. However, the total time to completion may be shorter or longer depending on the pace of the individual students. The certificate requires the course to be completed within one year.
There are no prerequisites for this course beyond basic computer comprehension.
Tuition costs $5,952, with a $200 discount when paid upfront. Payment options include 0% interest with 12 payments of $496. Additional financing is available with varying interest rates with payments spread out in as many as 31 months. Deferred tuition is also available with interest and no payments for the first eight months after the start of class.
Individual scholarships are available for women, unemployed workers, and veterans.
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Students who complete certificate programs will be matched with a career coach and receive one-on-one job search and resume writing assistance. Mentorship is also available from your course instructors for up to one month after the end of each class. Upon completion, each class is available for one free retake within a year.
Students receive 30 days of technical support with class and a certificate of completion at the end of the program. Students of any certificate or class can apply for micro-internships with DWC partners that help to build their portfolio and network.
Attending students seem to appreciate the flexibility of the program and the amount of support available. One busy mom wrote; “I personally like this digital workshop because it is affordable and easy attending from home. I am a single mom watching after my kids at home. This workshop gives me the opportunity to be able to reach my dream.”
Another student wrote; “Impressed with the efficiency and responsiveness of the staff. After weeks of contemplating which school and program I should go with, I decided on this center because they made the process much easier and were able to answer all of the questions I had in a timely manner.”
#2: QuickStart—Web Development Bootcamp
QuickStart offers a Web Development Bootcamp for students wanting to pursue web development as a career. Students with little to no coding experience are welcome as well as junior to mid-level developers. The course begins with instruction in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript as well as JavaScript libraries such as React. With the goal of educating students in full-stack development, students will also dive into Python and SQL as well as Node.js for crafting back-end JavaScript environments. The course also covers the fundamentals of UX and UI design and programs such as Git and Bootstrap. The course ends with a capstone project that showcases your skills.
Key Information
The Web Development Bootcamp offers three different paths to completion. Students may choose to attend the program on immersive, flex, or self-paced schedules. All schedules are on-demand with students able to choose the pace at which they learn. The difference lies in the amount of one-on-one time students are given with a mentor to receive assistance and ask questions.
- Students in the immersive program receive two-hour mentoring sessions twice a week.
- The flex program includes one two-hour mentoring session each week.
- The self-paced program provides five 30 minute mentoring sessions as requested.
All students are given access to course discussion forums where they can receive support from instructors or classmates whenever needed. On average, the Web Development Bootcamp is completed within 26 weeks across all program options.
The immersive program costs $7,900 in tuition, while the flex program is $3,500. QuickStart does not list the tuition for the self-paced program on its website. Financing options are available, including deferred payment and monthly installments. Contact QuickStart for more information.
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During their time in the Web Development Bootcamp, students can receive up to four 30-minute sessions with a career counselor. Their services include resume and portfolio workshops, mock interviews, LinkedIn profile workshops, and more. Students can also apply for internships through QuickStart partners.
With the exception of the self-paced program, students receive access to hands-on virtual labs to practice their skills. Students can also receive mentoring sessions for up to one year after completing the bootcamp.
In reviews, one student appreciated the amount of support they received through mentors and classmates: “The group is there to help support and keep you motivated. There was plenty of help available from the instructors and others in the program.”
Another student appreciated the thoroughness of the program: “The self-paced format is perfect for those like myself who work full-time as its modules, labs, projects and capstones are thoroughly informative and both fun & challenging to work on.”
#3: ONLC Training Centers—Front-end Web Development Essentials
ONLC offers an on-demand course in Front-end Web Development Essentials. The course covers fundamental instruction in HTML and CSS for building websites in addition to lessons in JavaScript and jQuery for adding interactivity. The course is ideal for beginners with little to zero coding knowledge who wish to develop the skills to build standard-compliant websites. The course covers the basics of how web applications work and how web pages are processed. Students learn how to test and validate a webpage as well as how to avoid common coding errors and debug web files. The course covers the essentials of JavaScript, including variables, expressions, strings, objects, statements, loops, and arrays. jQuery essentials include selectors, methods, and events. Popular web tools for speeding development are also introduced.
Key Information
The course contains around 15 hours of video content that includes lectures, demonstrations, and labs. If the class were a traditional instructor-led course, it would last three days. The course costs $695 due upon registration. Savings options are available for companies and groups. There are no prerequisites for this course beyond basic computer skills.
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Students have 24/7 access to self-paced materials for a total of six months starting at the time of their purchase. Students may review the materials as many times as they wish within that period.
The majority of ONLC reviews revolve around remote learning courses that feature an instructor. Many students were surprised with how much they liked the format, the knowledge of their instructor, and the depth of the material provided; ”I've never completed a course like this before (remote instruction) and I cannot express how great the instructor was and the overall content of the material. I would definitely recommend this to my co-workers as well as friends. I will be looking into taking more of these classes through ONLC in the near future.”
#4: MIT XPRO—Professional Certificate in Coding
MIT xPRO provides a Professional Certificate in Coding designed for beginners to programming as well as established professionals looking to expand on existing skills. The program teaches full-stack development using MERN, which stands for MongoDB, Express, React, and Node. These four technologies are often used together for faster application development. Students in the course first gain a foundation in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. In the second step of the program, students build and test front-end applications using React. The third and final step teaches back-end development where students learn the remaining MERN programs while working with the cloud, automated testing, and back-end deployment. Students build a GitHub portfolio for hosting projects created in the class along with their capstone project.
Key Information
The Professional Certificate in Coding is available for full and part-time schedules. The part-time course on average lasts eight months and costs $7,450. The full-time program lasts around four months and costs $8,075. Payment is due in full upon registration but options exist to pay in up to nine equal installments. Financing options through MIT xPRO partners are available.
There are no required prerequisites for this course.
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Students are given access to self-paced learning materials, including recorded demonstrations and video lectures. Through an online learning community, students can collaborate and learn from each other as well as ask questions and receive assistance from mentors. Live sessions are held weekly by program leaders to reinforce learning but are optional to attend.
The program includes career support that includes mock interviews, resume and cover letter writing support, a LinkedIn profile workshop, and job search support.
Students may access learning materials for up to one year after completing the program.
In reviews, students have appreciated the thoroughness of topics covered in the program: “What I have learned is sometimes more advanced than what current web developers frequently do. And then, at the end we have a GitHub with many valuable projects."
Students also highly rated the amount of support available: “I liked the constant availability of instructor support via office hours, and quick responses to Q&A.”
#5: the Tech Academy—Self-Paced JavaScript Boot Camp
The Tech Academy offers a Self-Paced JavaScript Boot Camp that teaches JavaScript and its popular frameworks and tools for both front and back-end development. Graduates of the bootcamp will be equipped to start a new career as a junior level Full Stack Software Developer. A full list of covered JavaScript tools includes jQuery, AJAX, JSON, Node.js, React, Vue.js, TypeScript, Angular, MongoDB, Ember.js, and the MEAN stack. Students won’t master all of these tools, but learning the fundamentals of each grants graduates the skills to develop a wide array of website and desktop development projects. In addition to these tools, students also learn the basics of computer science concepts, project management tools, and the software development lifecycle. Instruction in databases and SQL is also included. The course completes with a two-week capstone project.
Key Information
The program lasts 32 weeks with a tuition of $3,200. Students may seek financing through The Tech Academy partners or opt for payment installments. Students may pay $299 a month until meeting the full price of the course. Deferred payment is available, which allows students to put off the cost of tuition until finding employment.
The course includes 700 hours of content, including class materials and assignment work. Students who study 40 hours a week can complete the course in 17 weeks. A minimum of 20 hours per week is required to complete the program within 32 weeks. However, students who work at a slower pace can purchase an extension of weeks to complete the course.
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Students have access to course materials 24/7 from the time of purchase. Students also receive job placement assistance which includes interview prep, resume writing, job search assistance, and networking assistance.
In reviews, students praise the amount of support they received through the Academy: “I loved being able to work at my own pace. The job placement support is awesome. They also made sure before I enrolled that the program would be a good fit for me.”
Students also appreciated the depth of material and flexible schedule: “There's a lot of information given to you in this bootcamp, and it never gets boring or overwhelming. I always struggled with learning in a traditional setting growing up, but the tech academy's teaching format is fresh and engineered to accommodate all schedules and backgrounds.”
#6: Certstaffix—JavaScript E-learning Bundle Course
Certstaffix offers a JavaScript e-learning Bundle Course for students who prefer to learn on their own schedule. The bundle comprises six courses that cover various aspects of JavaScript. Students first learn the fundamentals of JavaScript, then progress to objects, arrays, and expressions. The course also covers functions, object constructors, literals, and prototypes. By the end of the course, students will understand how a web browser works and how to code with JavaScript for the web.
Key Information
Students gain access to over 13 hours of course materials from the time of purchase. Access remains for six months, during which students can review materials as many times as they wish. The course costs $300. Discounts are available for groups greater than 10 people.
Students should have an understanding of HTML and CSS before purchasing this course.
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The course only includes pre-recorded video lectures. Self-paced students wishing to practice course materials with hands-on projects will need to purchase any necessary software or environment and do so on their own. A certificate of completion is available.
In reviews, students seem to appreciate the structure of Certstaffix courses: “The layout and structure of this course was very easy to follow and learn with. The platform that this course was taught on made learning much easier than I expected. I will definitely recommend taking a course through this company!”
#7: Flatiron School—Software Engineering Bootcamp
Flatiron School provides a Software Engineering Bootcamp for students with little to no programming experience. Students dive into JavaScript with DOM, events, and debugging as part of front-end development. React and APIs are taught as part of web development and a hands-on class project. The course covers back-end development with instruction in Python, Flask, and SQL. Students learn how to manage databases, integrate AI into their coding, and build their own JSON API. The course concludes with a capstone solo project. Students work one-on-one with their instructor to showcase what they have learned.
Key Information
The course is available for full and part-time learning schedules. The full-time schedule is designed for more traditional classwork where students and instructors meet live over remote learning tools. The part-time schedule is designed for students who desire self-paced learning. This option includes pre-recorded lectures with optional live lectures and office hours, so students may receive assistance from instructors if needed. Self-paced students can also communicate with their instructors and peers over Slack.
Students have 40 weeks to complete the part-time course. Tuition is $17,900. Students may pay upfront or opt for a loan through one of Flatiron’s partners or choose to divide tuition into 12 interest-free installments. Scholarships are also available for women, exceptional students, and underrepresented students.
Students who apply to the program must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. Before the official start of the program, students will attend a prep course to get them up to speed with the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
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Flatiron offers ample job search support and career resources. During schooling, students will receive updates from Flatiron’s “Get Hired Game Plan, ” which gives actionable steps each week to help students market themselves for a new career. Students also receive access to Flatiron’s Career Prep Curriculum, which includes over 50 lessons in launching a new career, job seeking tips for the tech industry, job search resources, and templates for resumes and cover letters, among others. After graduating from Flatiron, students gain access to up to 180 days of career coaching. This service includes workshopping resumes, conducting mock interviews, and strategies for identifying your strengths to help you stand out in your job search.
In reviews, students appreciate the depth of resources Flatiron provides: “Flatiron School does a really good job of giving you a cohort and resources that make it easy for you to learn as much as you are willing to learn, and there is plenty to learn if [you are] willing to put in the time.”
#8: General Assembly—Software Engineering Immersive
General Assembly offers a Software Engineering Immersive program that combines daily instruction with self-paced work. The course begins with instruction in front-end development. Students gain a foundation of core programming concepts, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Git, GitHub, and debugging strategies. The course advances to full-stack development where students learn computer science concepts, Bootstrap, MongoDB for storing data in databases, testing techniques, and how to write algorithms. The course continues with instruction in the application development lifecycle, popular frameworks like React and Angular, AJAX, APIs, and advanced data structures. Throughout the course, students will complete projects such as building a front-end web application as well as multiple full-stack applications where they will integrate MongoDB, React, and third party APIs.
Key Information
The course lasts for 13 weeks at a full-time schedule of eight hours a day. Tuition costs $16,450. Students who pay upfront receive a discount of $450. There are also several financing options available.
Students may apply for 0% interest loans lasting 24 months as well as traditional loans through partners with General Assembly. Students may also enroll to defer tuition payment until securing a professional position, through which tuition is paid incrementally over 24 months. Installment payments are available at 0% interest for a length of 24 or 36 months. Veterans are eligible for support through the GI Bill. Students of queer identity or low income and veterans are eligible to receive a tuition discount. Some students may receive partial or full tuition reimbursement from their employer. Scholarships are also available. It’s advisable to contact General Assembly to discuss options.
There are no prerequisites for this course. However, upon registering, students will be given access to self-paced pre-coursework materials. These assignments allow students to learn the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These materials prepare students for the program they are about to undergo and are expected to complete them before the first official day of class.
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The program offers a mix of live instruction and self-paced learning. Each day of class, students check in live online with their peers and instructor to review coursework and ask questions. Otherwise, students have access to course materials and daily practices they are free to complete at their own pace (within the allotted time assigned). During self-paced work, students may contact instructors with questions or problems as they arise.
Students gain access to career services from their first day of class. Career coaches work with students to build a personal career plan and develop job search strategies in addition to providing mock interviews and resume and portfolio workshops. Students also gain access to professional networking opportunities and an alumni community of instructors and peers.
Students receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course.
In reviews, students appreciate the depth of resources provided by General Assembly: “GA gave me the foundational knowledge and confidence to pursue my career goals. With caring teachers, a supportive community, and up-to-date, challenging curriculum, I felt prepared and motivated to build and improve tech for the next generation!”
#9: Springboard—Software Engineering Bootcamp
Springboard offers a Software Engineering Bootcamp for students seeking to start careers as Full Stack Software Developers. Students begin the course by learning the fundamentals of web development, including advanced techniques with HTML, JavaScript, and CSS as well as debugging strategies. Students then advance to learning DOM and how to build applications by integrating JavaScript with HTML. The course also teaches tools such as Git and GitHub and AI programs like GPT. Students receive instruction in code testing best practices and specifically how to test code with Jasmine. Near the end of the course, students will dive into advanced array methods and advanced JavaScript functions with ES2015. The course ends with a personal capstone project.
Key Information
The Software Engineering Bootcamp is designed to be self-paced. On average, the course is completed within 9 months so long as students put in 20-25 hours of study a week. The curriculum includes around 800 hours of coursework and career materials.
Tuition for the program costs $16,000. Students who pay upfront receive a 39% discount, resulting in a cost of $9,900. A flexible payment option allows students to pay $1,800 a month. As a self-paced course, students who pay per month only pay for the months they need. Deferred tuition allows students to pay a $700 deposit with payments of around $500 for 36 months occurring after they gain a new job. Students can apply for a traditional loan through one of Springboard’s partners. Springboard offers scholarships for women, low income students, and students from diverse backgrounds (including veterans, people with disabilities, LGBT, and more).
Students who apply for the Software Engineering Bootcamp need to understand the basics of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. Students who do not meet these prerequisites can attend Springboard’s “Software Engineering Foundations to Core Bootcamp” program at no extra cost.
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Springboard offers students in the Software Engineering Bootcamp a plethora of support. Though self-paced, students receive regular calls with a mentor to keep up motivation and to provide insights into the tech industry. They also receive sessions with a career coach to assist with their job search, hone application materials, and practice interview questions. Students don’t perform coursework alone. They have access on day one to a learning community of their classmates, mentors, and career coaching. Students will receive feedback on their assignments and can easily reach out with questions or ask for assistance.
Springboard offers a Job Guarantee. Students are eligible to have their tuition refunded if they do not land an industry-related job within six months after completing the bootcamp. Terms apply.
A certificate of completion is issued upon graduation.
In reviews, students seem to appreciate the support offered through Springboard: “I felt really supported by my mentor and all the teaching assistants. Everybody is super knowledgeable, and I could ask them a question any time through the chat system.”
Another student had high praise for the course material: “I loved that it was self-paced so I could go faster or slower based on my needs. I found the video lessons to be super engaging. I was expecting boring, dry lectures, but it was really interesting and well done.”
#10: Udemy—The Complete JavaScript Course
Udemy offers The Complete JavaScript Course which is intended to take students with little to no coding knowledge to advanced JavaScript Developers. The course covers the fundamentals of JavaScript, including strings, variables, functions, boolean logic, objects, arrays, and loops, among others. Students also learn how JavaScript works in the browser, including using DOM to manipulate elements. The course provides instruction on how JavaScript works behind the scenes, including scope, keywords, hoisting, and reference values, among others. Throughout the course, students graduate from the basics to advanced topics, deep diving into the ins and outs of functions, object-oriented programming, ES2020, and asynchronous JavaScript. Part of the course is dedicated to teaching students how to think like a developer, including instruction in setting up the right environment, solving problems, debugging, and using Google and online communities to find information. The course includes five projects for portfolio building.
Key Information
The course costs $189.99 and consists of over 68 hours of video content. The course is eligible for a refund through Udemy if requested within 30 days. Students can also gain access to the course through a subscription to Udemy’s top courses for $16.58 a month. Teams of five or more people can take the course and others by signing up for Udemy Business, starting at $360 a year per person. Teams of 21 or more people are encouraged to contact Udemy for a customized quote.
There are no prerequisites for this course. Students are taught HTML and CSS as an optional part of the course.
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The Complete JavaScript Course offers full lifetime access, meaning that from the time of purchase, students can view course content indefinitely, so long as the course remains on Udemy and that a student's Udemy account remains in good standing.
Students receive a certificate of completion upon finishing the course.
In reviews, students appreciated the depth of information provided by the course: “I had taken other JavaScript courses in the past, but none of them provided me with ALL the necessary foundations for developing a JavaScript application. Jonas is not only extremely knowledgeable but also excellent at explaining concepts. I think it's the perfect course for those who have no prior knowledge of JavaScript or for those who, like me, had basic but lacking and confused knowledge.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an On-demand JavaScript Class Worth It?
On-demand JavaScript classes are best for students with busy work or personal lives who can’t commit to a strict schedule. Without a dedicated schedule, students can fit learning into their day whenever they are able. This includes late evening hours or early morning hours when traditional classes aren’t usually scheduled. It also allows students such as busy parents, to learn from home and drop their coursework the instant their child needs something. On-demand classes are desirable due to the flexibility they provide.
However, without classmates or an instructor, students have no one to turn to with questions and no one to evaluate their work. Without a set schedule, some students flounder in their commitment to study. It’s worth noting the on-demand JavaScript classes described on this list come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Several courses offer learning communities and one-on-one mentorship meetings that seek to minimize the drawbacks of traditional on-demand learning. For some, this mix of self-learning and structured support provides a more ideal learning environment. For others, these scheduled meetings or live lectures (usually during typical school hours), are an inconvenience that mitigates the full flexibility offered through on-demand learning.
Whether or not on-demand JavaScript courses are right for you depends on your personal schedule and learning goals. It can also, as this list attests, vary widely depending on the mix of self-paced resources and instructional mentorship provided.
What Will I Need for an On-demand JavaScript Class?
For the majority of on-demand JavaScript classes, students only need a computer. They are free to study anywhere they wish so long as they have a reliable internet connection. Many on-demand courses provide technical specifications or live support for students who are unsure if their computer or internet is sufficient. All learning materials are usually provided via the course and typically include online videos, pre-recorded lectures or tutorials, PDFs, and other downloads. Any software a student may need is usually provided through the course. However, some classes may require students to purchase the necessary software themselves. Likewise, some JavaScript classes require students to know coding basics in HTML and CSS before attending, while other classes teach these skills within their curriculum. It’s important to check course specifics before purchasing.
Can I Learn JavaScript On-demand for Free?
It’s possible to learn JavaScript on-demand for free, at least in part. Through online tutorials, developer communities, and video hosting sites, there is a plethora of resources available for beginners in JavaScript. However, students who elect to learn on their own, without a paid course, have to hunt down resources on their own. The right resources may be difficult to find, and not all free learning materials are correct or up-to-date. Often, this leads to self-learners acquiring gaps in their knowledge or inefficiencies in their techniques.
Free resources are best for beginning students who want to get a feel for a topic before committing to a professional course. They aren’t recommended for students who seek to advance their skills to start a new career or change careers. Job seeking students are better served through professional courses where they will receive feedback on assignments and gain up-to-date industry insights.
Is It Better to Learn JavaScript in a Live or Self-paced Class?
In live online classes, students and instructors meet live just like in a brick-and-mortar classroom. The major advantage of online classes is that students can learn without leaving the comfort of their homes. Classmates interact with each other via online tools and ask questions of their instructor just like they would if they were meeting in-person. In this environment, professors and classmates are readily available to individual students as a source of support, feedback, and motivation. These are important factors found in a traditional learning environment that live online classes do their best to replicate.
Self-paced classes lack this supportive environment. Students are given all the materials they need to learn and are let to do so at their own pace. They are often without peers or instructors to turn to for assistance. For some students with busy schedules or who are available at odd hours of the day, this freedom to learn whenever they can find time is a boon. Other students struggle with the lack of structure or guidance.
Many of the programs offered on this list blur the line between live and self-paced classes. While students can still learn at their own pace, many courses listed above provide supportive resources such as one-on-one mentorship calls, learning communities, and even optional live lectures. In this way, students who seek more assistance with their learning journey can receive it. However, some flexibility is lost in that students will need to find time to schedule regular mentorship calls or lectures. These calls or lectures will likely need to be scheduled during normal school hours, which students who seek self-paced learning due to usual schedules may not be able to commit to.
Which type of course is best to learn from depends highly on the individual. What kind of schedule can you commit to? How much support would you like in your learning experience? Would you prefer having a professional evaluate your work? Do you trust yourself to work through a curriculum without a regular class schedule, instructor, or classmates to motivate you? In general, most students find they learn faster and more comprehensively when taught by an expert in the field. That said, self-paced learning can still be effective for students who prefer to learn on their own or require flexibility in scheduling.