Topic: I'm getting into Programming to get Paid. Do you wanna follow along? (Read 209 times)

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Progress check? how did it go ?

I've put in my 10 hours for this week! 

 I'm taking it really slow so that puts me in Module 2 of HTML & CSS Fundamentalas on EDX. I'm still using the audit/free path. I don't think the certificate/paid path is necessary for learning the material but I'd like the certificate so I might switch at some point.

Module 2 is really focusing on the importance of using semantic elements whenever possible. I like that HTML is built like that so that someone could build a browser that gives users more powerful tools in displaying webpages that are written for most common browsers.

It's kind of interesting that you could just put

"Hello World" on a .html file and it would work (because the browser is going to assume all of this:

 
               
               
              
    

 

Hello World!

)

So in most programming languages you have to write a bunch of code, compile it for a specific system. HTML is a simple language with a simple yet powerful purpose and most everyone has a browser in their computer anyway.

paired with CSS for styling and Javascript for creating applications it's a really powerful universal platform to create any little fun thing you might want to. From a simple calculator to an alarm clock to a video game.


I have a similar background. I took a C++ course in college but I quit school shortly after and didn't bother showing up and finishing it due to personal issues. So I know the basics of C++ and I've written some really simple programs with it. Learning it a second time would be a lot easier than learning it for the first time because the concepts still exist somewhere in my brain so the neural pathways are primed and ready to be reinforced. Then again my brain is a pile of mush and water, I don't want to make it sound too cool.

That sounds interesting, good luck for your studies. I took a few programming courses during university, but that was a long time ago. For today's world I probably have the basics of I would ever like to go deeper into programming. I would also like to make more money on the side, but during summer I am always busy with work and family. Would be nice if you can keep us updated here, maybe I start following you this winter.

I've put in 5/10 hours for this week so far.

I feel like I've learned a lot about Best Practices and all the basics of HTML and why even though certain HTML would work it's always better that my code is well defined.

Learning this stuff is a lot more exciting than I thought it would be. I'm happy to have taken this time and put it towards something productive so far.

I wonder if I'll stick with it.

I'm still on the free audit course for HTML5 on EDX. But I think I'll try and get on the certificate path. I'm still not ready to pay. Especially since so many of my bills have come at the same time.


I'll probably wait till the last possible moment. But I think that any official certificate I earn would look good on my resume. Especially useful technical skills which HTML and CSS fundamentals definitely is.

I wouldn't use that as a primary learning resource since it's not affiliated with W3C so the name itself implies some unethical behavior. They want you to think that they are someone else.

I used this a long time ago. It helped me get started. Although I dont use programming these days.

https://www.w3schools.com/

Yes, I also think there will be a big gap between learning and getting paid. After learning and doing a bunch of private projects, getting clients will probably be the hardest part.
Also, I guess the lerning part never really stops for a professional web developer.

Good luck for your journey, there is nothing wrong with learning the new things but monetizing it may take time so don't lose your hope after 2 months because no one is going to hire you just after you finished and you need to prove your skills by doing something what people are looking for.

I've never used Udemy, my guess is it depends on the Instructor. I'm only gravitating towards EDX because the W3C recommends them. Interestingly enough there is W3Schools which is not affiliated with the W3C and they are just trying to deceive people with the name apparently.

If you don't know that W3C is it's the people that create all the new HTML features and decide on the standards. W3C is a pretty clever name. World Wide Web (the 3W of W3) and C for consortium.

My guess is that you can. The only difference is you're not getting all the exercises and the graded assignments, and you lose your progress after the 6 weeks (that the course should take anyway) My guess is you can probably restart the course.

It seems that the grading is much easier than a college course. In a college HTLM & CSS course you'd be graded in actually making that project website which should be the hardest part of the course but in the EDX course you could get enough points to earn the certificate even before the final exam.

So when it comes to actual skill I doubt the EDX certificate means a lot, but going through the material for free you would get the same knowledge even without the exercises as long as you're applying what you're learning. This is just my opinion of course.

What is your opinion on Udemy courses?
They offer test in between videos.
I've also listened to a good programmer that you should keep writing the code on copy, it helps in retaining the knowledge.

Is there any other difference between a paid and a free course on EDX? Other than a certificate.
Can I complete the entire course for free?

I've done another 30 minutes (well a little over) so I'm at 1/10 for my weekly goal for this week.

This time I continued with the very start of the course before going into the first module.

I mostly looked around CodePen. It's a really exciting tool, I hope that it's thriving.

I read this article that was recommended by the course and I recommend that to anyone else here, it's worth a read:

https://codepen.io/brentmiller/post/things-you-can-do-with-codepen

So I'm done with my first 30 minutes of learning (so 0.5/10 for my goal for the week)

I saw the outline of the HTML/CSS fundamentals on EDX and learned a little about EDX.
I signed up for codepen.io (for free) so I can later share my code.
I said hello on the discussion forum of the course.

I'm not paying yet, I'm still auditing the course, but something interesting is that edx has a Front End Web Developer program that includes 5 courses

Completion of these courses would get you a Front End Web Developer certificate.

It's an easy sell for me but the price is high (about $900) Edx claims that you could finish that in 7 months with 5-7 hours per week. I don't buy that you could put in that little time and become a competent web dev.

The price is better than what you could pay even at a community college for courses and it's possible if you qualify for financial help to get a discount up to 90% as long as you apply and they accept that.

I assume since their goal is to make education more accessible that they're willing to give that discount to people who qualify.

TLDR: I haven't done anything particularly interesting yet.

I'm getting into Programming to get Paid. Do you wanna follow along?


I don't even want to be the teacher.

This is a bold goal. I congratulate you in advance for it. While I'd like to join you on this new learning path, but I'm hesitant. In the past I have attempted learning programming but I've always found it quite confusing and complex. I'd be very happy if I could get recommendations to links where programming courses are made fun and simpler for a new learners. Thank you.

That's true. As a matter of fact, I think many employers prefer a good portfolio over certificates or diplomas.


The course looks good for a beginner. I will apply for it myself.
I noticed that the website offers a full program for Front-End Web Developer, so I am thinking that I should enroll in that as well.

The internet has unlimited resources for people who want to make money. If they have a passion in one or more fields and want to learn about that job, I am sure they will be able to make money and they will have many customers that will search for their services. If you can have the skills needed for that job, you can increase your fee to them and I am sure they will not have a problem because you have better things than the others. Good luck.

So I'm planning to begin with the edx course for HTML and CSS
The course is free to audit, without getting the certificate
I'm more likely not to pay for it since a certificate is pretty meaningless. I bet something good in my portfolio would mean 10X more than a certificate.

But I'm also considering paying for the certificate and exercises. This is one of the few cases where the certificate might mean something. Paying will not however increase my skill and I will only pay if I can get the certificate on my own pace. Because I might be really slow. The certificate route is about $200 but if you qualify for financial aid they can knock up to 90% off the price.

I'll start by not paying for it and seeing if that hinders me. I'll make that decision in a few days after I've put in my first 10 hours.

The name of the course is:
HTML5 and CSS Fundamentals

And it can be found at:
edx.org

I'm also watching this video right now, haven't watched it yet, that just gives an overview of Javascript in 5 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-I5S_zTwAc

Edit: I'm also going to peer into (but not even remotely finish or focus on harvards CS50 @ https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-computer-science-harvardx-cs50x

 I'm not gonna do that course. But I'll just browse the material just for fun. I will not put in any hours in the course when I start Monday, unless and only if I have already put 10 hours in the HTML course and I feel comfortable that I am learning and getting better at HTML and CSS. I just think it might be interesting to browse. That

Please do mate because i am also interested learning those.

and i will be willing more than anyone to understand so i'll be waiting for your update.


Thank you mate.

Good luck with that initiative. I've already given up learning coding but maybe in the future if I have no more choice or there's a will for me to start coding again then I'll do the same thing but right now, there's no passion for me.

Did you avail a course through udemy?

Yes, why not. I'm interested in joining your quest. I have some basic knowledge of HTML and CSS but not JS.
And, I am not going to steal your job. I want to learn solely for my own benefit.

Did you have a plan for where to begin?

I'm going to start learning the easy stuff. 10 hours each week. HTML, CSS, Javascript and React.

I'm not happy with my paycheck at work. My only goal is to use 10 hours a week for about 2 months and then I'll see if I can get paid for my work.

I wouldn't mind talking about that with people on this forum since it's swarming with technically skilled people. I couldn't find a better place to put this thread rather than off-topic.


My objectives are. Learn a few easy things well. HTML, CSS, Javascript/React. And that's it.


Step 1. Learn
Step 2. Get paid



I know some very basic C++ but I never got good or competent in programming. So I'll start at a beginner level but with perhaps more non-functional knowledge than most beginners.

All that stuff are skills anyway, some stuffy book knowledge isn't gonna get me far. I know that much. And trying to learn Assembly, LISP, C++, C, Python or any other thing would simply make me lose focus.


My only goal to meet is to spend 10 productive hours a week. I have a day job and hobbies and even those 10 hours a week are going to be a challenge for me.

I'm starting Monday.

Maybe I'll talk about it here with anyone who's interested so we can have fun together. I hope that other people can get motivated to do this as well, so you can steal all the jobs that I wanna take. Just kidding.