So you have decided to learn Java programming. You might be looking for the best tutorial available that can give you job-ready skills. Well, before you open Google and type ‘Free Java basics course for beginners,’ you need a checklist to decide which course best suits your learning needs. Read on to find out the ten useful tips that can help you select the most appropriate Java course among the pool of resources available over the internet.
Go beyond the basics
Java is a popular programming language and you can find its basics in every book or online tutorial. So, you need to look for a course that goes beyond the basic concepts like functions, methods, arrays, loops, conditionals, classes, objects, etc. It should include topics such as java servlet, multithreading, hibernate and spring frameworks, RESTful web services, among others. Some training providers will have separate basics and advanced Java courses. So, register for the right course accordingly.
Prefer instructor-led training
Online training is usually offered in two learning modes – self-paced and instructor-led live virtual classroom training. So, if you want to have a thorough understanding of any subject, it is better to select the instructor-led training mode. This approach is quite similar to physical classroom training and you will get a rich learning experience. Moreover, you can understand the Java concepts better in a live virtual class than following pre-recorded lessons.
A good LMS is a must
The training provider should offer a course through its cloud-based Learning Management System (LMS). With such a platform, students can access the course materials round the clock without interrupting their studies. There are other handy options as well, like how many courses you have completed, the number of assignments to take up, tracking your performance in various quizzes and mock tests, and scheduling reminders for any lesson.
Access to virtual labs
Java programming isn’t something that you can master just by going through theoretical concepts. You need to start writing your own code and check out their outputs to better understand the concepts. For this, you need a virtual lab where you can write the code through an editor and see its output on the console. A training provider should, therefore, provide a virtual lab to students where they can practice what they learn during the classes.
Sharable certificate
People take up an online course to gain new skills and fulfill their career goals. But, there should be something that will validate your skills gained through a course. This is the reason reputed training providers reward students with a digital badge or course completion certificate. A certificate demonstrates that you have an in-depth understanding of a subject and are ready to take up a job. This certificate can be shared with prospective employers on professional networking sites like LinkedIn when applying for any new job.
Coding challenges
Coding hackathons and competitions are a new way to build a strong base in any programming language. A good course includes a coding challenge where all the students of a particular batch can participate and solve the challenges they are given by the instructor. This way, learners not only get to test their coding skills but also learn how others approach the same problem and whether their solution is better
Job assistance
These days, some edtech providers are also offering career assistance. This may include optimizing the LinkedIn profile of a learner, giving resume support, and allowing them to appear for career fairs. When it comes to courses related to a programming language like Java, instructors may also assist in building a student’s GitHub profile. Employers often look at the candidate’s GitHub profile to look at the Java projects they have worked on during the interview screening process.
Look at the instructor’s profile
A major benefit of an online course is that your learning is not limited to a local instructor’s knowledge, as it happened with the traditional way of education. Today, you can access the courses designed by world-class instructors. So, when you look for a Java course, make sure that the instructor is highly qualified and has rich working experience. Reputed training providers mention the instructor’s profile on their course page and you can also look for them on LinkedIn.
Flexible payment options
The course fee is an important factor people take into account when selecting any good course. The course shouldn’t be quite expensive for the learners. Online courses offered in partnership with a well-established university may cost higher but are more suitable for them. For such courses, the training providers should offer financial aid like group discounts, festive offers, or EMI options which can help learners enroll in a course without worrying about the course fee.
Learning support
A training provider’s job doesn’t end in giving learners access to the course materials. They should offer 24/7 support for learners facing any technical issue or who want to get their queries resolved. A learner may want to get in touch with the instructor to understand a concept better or their support when doing an assignment on Java. So, you need to look for a course that offers round-the-clock learning support.
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