Digital publishing can encompass more than making ebooks. Lately, I’ve been learning how to code, because it opens up a lot of possibilities, like building apps or interactive websites, or even Alexa skills.
Although I know HTML and CSS, there’s still a lot to learn. But it’s been a lot of fun so far!
In case you’re interested in learning how to program, here are some of the resources I’ve been using:
Online Courses
There is an abundance of online courses, and most of them are free. In some cases, you can audit a course run by a university online for free, and pay a fee for a certification.
One of my favorite courses is Harvard’s CS50 Introduction to Computer Science course, available on edX. I’ll admit, it’s pretty challenging. I’m about halfway through and still trying to wrap my head around C++, but slowly I’m understanding the basics more and more, and that’s pretty satisfying. The course is self-paced, meaning I can work on it in my free time after work.
edX has a large variety of courses anyone can take. Some of the programming courses are part of professional certificate programs, so you can take them sequentially and they build on each other.
Another platform that offers a variety of courses is Kadenze. Courses are free, though if you want to receive course credit for school you will need to pay a fee. Self-paced courses include Creative Programming with JavaScript, Creative Applications of Deep Learning, and Generative Art and Computational Creativity.
And last, I’ve recently started completing modules of Salesforce’s Trailhead. You can learn all kinds of skills, including developing for Salesforce, marketing, building apps, and more (it’s how I first learned about building Alexa skills). Plus, it’s fun to earn the badges.
Apps
I’m sure there are thousands of apps you can use on your phone, but recently I’ve been using two: Grasshopper and SoloLearn.
Grasshopper is labeled as a coding app for beginners, and offers a few courses. So far I’ve only down the Fundamentals course, which focuses on the basics of JavaScript. It’s fun and lightweight, and surprisingly easy to do on a phone.
SoloLearn is similar, except you can sign up for multiple courses at once. There’s also a social aspect to it, though I haven’t yet participated in the forums. Courses include Python 3, PHP, C++, HTML, CSS, and more.
Boot Camps
If I had the time, I would love to go to a coding bootcamp. I have friends who have done it, and loved the experience. It’s an intense experience, but it sounds like you come out with a really good understanding of a particular programming language. Two popular bootcamps include General Assembly and Hack Reactor.
How do you learn new skills? Share in the comments!
