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What to expect from your first coding class at Devmountain
If you're on the hunt for a rewarding job you're passionate about, the tech industry might have what you're looking for. Many job seekers want in on the expansive field of web development and software engineering but lack the certification or skills needed to get the job.
Devmountain can help you jump-start a career in tech by offering courses in web development, Python or Java software engineering, cybersecurity, data analytics, iOS app development, and more! If that all flew right over your head, or feels inaccessible, consider Devmountain's coding basics class, a four-week introductory course taught live (online) to help you decide if a more intensive coding boot camp is right for you.
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of what to expect when you start your coding journey with Devmountain.
Who it's for
If you aren't already familiar with CSS, HTML, and JavaScript and want to learn how to build basic websites from the ground up, coding basics could be for you. It's perfect for someone interested in learning more about coding and development but who doesn't want to commit to a boot camp until they've dipped their toes into the proverbial waters.
"While coding careers are not for everyone, we believe Coding Basics is," said Hideo Hansen, CEO, SEI Coding Schools. "On the surface, it's an after-hours course that will introduce you to fundamental web development skills. But going deeper, it can show you if you're cut out for boot camp by introducing you to the fast-paced, demanding educational structure."
Even if you aren't interested in a web development career but want to score (or already have) a tech-adjacent job, this course helps you better understand and communicate with the developers you'll be working with. Translation: tech-speak will go from a foreign language to a conversational dialect.
Week 1: HTML
Right out of the gate, Devmountain instructors set their expectations for the duration of the course: they will push you to grow, but they will be with you every step of the way and provide an awesome learning experience through your live Zoom classes and lab times.
You will learn the difference between HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, then learn common HTML (HyperText Markup Language) terms such as tags, elements, nesting, and document structure. Basically, you're learning the foundation and building bricks of the house you will create.
Week 2: CSS
With your HTML foundation in hand, week two of coding basics will introduce the next building blocks of your house. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) describes how HTML elements should be displayed and styled in the browser. CSS is a language with syntax—a word you'll hear a lot when learning to code. Syntax refers to the rules governing the coding language's structure that make the code correct, the same way grammar helps you form accurate sentences.
As for what it does, CSS determines how things look on a website, such as colors, fonts, positioning, or even a fixed navigation bar that stays in view even when you scroll down.
Week 3: JavaScript
JavaScript is the engine that makes things go. If HTML and CSS determine how parts of your website look and are formatted, then JavaScript is what brings your website to life! Think: clicking on buttons, changing text when clicking on a form field, switching images when hovering your mouse over something.
Week 4: Build a website
After three weeks of guided learning through lessons, code-alongs, and labs, you are ready to build your own basic website. Your instructors will pull from everything you've learned into one grand demonstration-slash-code-along building a web page from the ground up. Of course, you won't have a fully functioning web page within an hour or two, but that comes next.
The capstone project is building your own website. You'll put all your accumulated hours of course time and learning to work by building a site from scratch. By the end of week four, you'll have a simple web-based project to show off to friends, family, and employers. Even better, you'll have enough knowledge to jump into more intensive boot camps if you wish to continue your coding journey.
"The majority of what we teach you can find online," said Hansen. "But we believe we offer an experience that can enhance and accelerate your learning. It's a structured educational environment built around a community of instructors and peers that grows into a network foundation you can take with you on your career path."
For a closer look at the course, read Devmountain's article, "My Introduction to Coding Basics."
Sign up now for coding basics
Devmountain is currently offering the course for only $49 so most people won't feel intimidated to start learning to code. Enroll here for one of the upcoming courses and add coding basics to your resume! Devmountain's Coding Basics is also recommended by the American Council on Education for 3 college credits.
You'll be expanding on what you already learned in weeks one and two with HTML and CSS. JavaScript is one of the core programming languages of the internet and it makes webpages more dynamic and interactive for users. To quote Dr. Frankenstein, "It's alive!"
