How to Learn AWS Online

If you’re just starting to learn a new skill, you can find dozens of tips and resources online; learning AWS is no different. AWS is a cloud computing platform that lets users take advantage of Amazon’s vast hardware resources. If you’ve always wanted to learn AWS, there are plenty of options at your fingertips. From free tutorials to live classes, your options are outlined here so you can decide how to learn in a way that works best for you. 

What is AWS?

Released to the public in 2002, Amazon Web Services is the most commonly used Cloud Computing Platform among individuals, corporations, and public-sector organizations. AWS encompasses a wide range of services. As of 2022, this includes more than two hundred distinct services, including cloud data storage, database management, data analytics, machine learning, and distributed computing services, and the number of services available is only set to continue growing as Amazon expands its computing capabilities. At the time of writing, Amazon Web Services is the leader in Cloud infrastructure services with a 33% market share, more than its two primary competitors (Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud) combined.

Amazon Web Services is an incredibly trusted Cloud computing service and counts among its clients NASA, Netflix, the Department of Defense, and Bloomberg. Amazon Web Services is such a trusted network in terms of reliability and security that the UK’s Ministry of Defense and the MI:5 and MI:6 intelligence agencies have contracted AWS to host classified information. This level of security and coverage means that learning AWS will also be a vital part of a cybersecurity curriculum, as many organizations and institutions use the service to store sensitive data and information. Regardless of what aspect of the world of computer science you work in, it is very likely that you will interact with AWS in a meaningful capacity.

Read more about what AWS is and why you should learn it. 

What Can You Do with AWS?

Given that AWS is a collection of over two hundred different cloud computing services, there are an almost endless number of different things you can do through AWS. On an enterprise level, AWS allows organizations and businesses to host and store huge amounts of data and utilize Amazon’s various data analysis tools to interpret, catalog, and use that data. AWS also allows groups to take advantage of Amazon’s computer infrastructure to train machine learning programs or assist in web development. AWS is also a common-hosting platform for web applications.

AWS is also used in a wide variety of different contexts outside of the world of business. It is such a versatile service that companies and organizations have found ways to tailor AWS services to their needs. The NFL uses AWS for advanced statistical analysis and data-driven sports science, and MI:6 uses the same platform to store classified information of vital national security interest. The versatility of the services offered by AWS lets the same users building machine learning algorithms host those tools for companies wanting to perform significant data analytics projects. As the AWS cloud computing platform grows, so does the scope of projects it can handle.

Live Online AWS Training

Students who want to learn AWS from experienced instructors but don’t like the options available for nearby in-person classes or who simply don’t want to travel may want to consider enrolling in a live online AWS training course. These classes provide students with the same level of expert instruction that they can expect from an in-person training course, and they will still be able to work directly with their instructors to ask questions and receive feedback on their work. Students may miss out on networking opportunities and they will need to provide their own software, which can become challenging when learning AWS since the cost of utilizing the platform varies from user to user.

Noble Desktop offers all of its in-person training courses through live online instruction. These classes are built as online classes, so students who learn online won’t compete with in-person students for their instructor’s attention. Students will receive all the benefits they can expect from Noble training courses, including free retakes within one year and any professionalization training benefits, such as one-on-one career mentorship. Students may also wish to consider the options available through other training providers such as Clarusway or Digicomp Academy

On-Demand AWS Classes

Many may find that, regardless of where they live, they can’t fit a live training course into their schedule. People with work or family commitments may need the extra flexibility offered by an on-demand AWS training course. These classes let students work at their own pace, picking up and putting down lessons at their own convenience. They are also ideal courses for students who want to learn a specific skill in an accelerated period, since students can select the precise tool they want to learn. These are also the kinds of training programs that Amazon provides for students looking to learn these skills.

The drawback to these classes is that they lack live instructors to assist students with the difficulties that may arise in their training. Students will need to find ways to overcome any problems that arise in their training, which can significantly increase how long it takes to learn the material. Students will also need to self-assess how likely they are to let their training fall to the side, since the temptation to avoid work can be powerful. Finally, students will need to ensure that training material is up-to-date if students are using non-Amazon on-demand courses.

Free Intro Courses & Tutorials

Students may need clarification on whether a full AWS training course is right for them, especially considering how many different routes that training can take. Students are encouraged to take advantage of free training resources before enrolling in a paid training program to see what kinds of services and tools they can learn. These resources won’t be a substitute for professional training, and almost all professional AWS users will need further training at some point. Still, these classes and resources are great places to familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of AWS to better understand the kinds of skills you’ll be learning in a professional training environment.

The best place to start exploring these training options is directly through Amazon. Amazon offers a wide variety of different training programs meant to help students become accustomed to their services. These include generalized training programs and focused training programs targeted at specific professional sectors, like the financial industry, or specific functions of AWS tools, like Machine Learning. These courses are designed to lead students into Amazon’s professional training options and prepare them to pass various AWS certification exams, but these tools are productive options regardless of how a student plans on expanding their AWS training.

Read about more free AWS videos and online tutorials.

Comparing Online Methods with In-Person Learning 

Students looking to learn AWS will have plenty of different training options. They can enroll in live training courses or purchase asynchronous on-demand training material. Their live training courses can be taken either in-person or online. Each of these courses has its own advantages and disadvantages. While every student learns differently, understanding those strengths and weaknesses is an ideal way to make an informed decision about the best course for each student.

Many students find that live training sessions are the best way to learn new skills like AWS. These courses will put students into dedicated classroom spaces with instructors who are there to help guide students through the process of learning specific AWS functions and tools. These classes allow students to learn their skills through hands-on examples and real-world applications. These courses tend to be the most involved, but they are also the most expensive and have the most detailed scheduling requirements.

These courses are available both in-person and online, and while both courses offer expert instruction, the mode of delivery will differ. Students in live courses will have access to a dedicated classroom space and a group of students they can work with. Online students will be taught in private digital classrooms (through systems like Zoom). The disadvantage to an in-person course is that because they are taught on-site at a specialized campus, students will only be able to attend the classes they can physically travel to. Online classes eliminate this problem, but these courses will require students to supply their own hardware and software.

Students who cannot attend a live training course will want to enroll in an on-demand training course. These classes are ideal for students with family or work commitments preventing them from regularly attending a live course. These courses vary in how they are presented and what skills they teach. This makes them ideal for students who need to learn a few particular skills quickly or want to acquire a specific set of AWS skills slowly. The drawback to these classes is that students who lack a live instructor to guide them through difficult patches may find it too hard to overcome challenges that arise during their training. In addition, if you take an on-demand training course from anyone other than Amazon, you’ll need to ensure that the content is up-to-date, as AWS frequently updates its applications.

Tips to Succeed when Learning AWS Online

Many students may find that shifting to an online learning environment can be difficult at first. While online instruction is every bit as good as in-person instruction, there are some hurdles that students may need to overcome when they start taking online classes. Students must be mindful of their workspaces and the ease with which they may become distracted.

One aspect of in-person instruction that students may not actively think about is the nature of the classroom space. Classrooms are designed to funnel a student's attention towards the front of the space and ensure that they are focused on their instructor and their lessons. Students often overlook how important this can be to their success. Students will want to replicate this environment to the best of their abilities in their personal workspaces. This can be as simple as closing a few blinds and making the space quieter or it can be as involved as asking roommates to leave or finding childcare during a classroom session.

Students will also need to avoid the temptation to try and multitask during their lessons. Study after study shows that students vastly overestimate their ability to work on multiple tasks at once, resulting in poorer work all around. The design of online classes increases the temptation to work on additional tasks, since not only can you browse other webpages during class, you may be tempted to try to handle household tasks. This is a bad idea and will greatly hinder your learning experience. Students will need to self-assess and take measures to avoid trying to do other work while in an online lecture.

Students in an on-demand class will need to do some research to find resources that can be used to assist them in their classes. Even dedicated students may get tripped up while learning complex AWS skills and students in on-demand classes won’t have access to a live instructor who can assist them when things become difficult. As a result, it is recommended that students in on-demand classes explore other training resources to provide assistance and directions if they become confused or overwhelmed and their on-demand class isn’t clarifying or assisting them in their problem.

Key Insights

• AWS is a cloud computing platform offered by Amazon that assists users in a wide range of different computing projects.
• Since it is an online platform, students may want to learn the tool online since they will be able to learn AWS on their personal computers.
• Students can still receive live, hands-on instruction from experts in online training courses, or they can prioritize the flexible scheduling in on-demand classes.
• Students looking to learn online will want to take steps to ensure that their workspace is free from external and internal distractions. Students in on-demand classes will also want to do supplemental research to avoid getting stuck in their lessons.
• Students looking for quality, live online training will want to explore the AWS training options available through Noble Desktop.

Learn AWS with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Those interested in learning how to utilize AWS and the various computing processes available through the service may want to receive guidance on using these tools. Anyone looking for this guidance can find it through the professional training services offered by Noble Desktop. These classes are available in-person at Noble’s Manhattan campus or online in private digital classrooms. Regardless of how you take these classes, students will be taught by expert instructors who have years of experience working with AWS. Class sizes, even those online, are kept small so students won’t have to worry about competing with their classmates for their instructor’s attention. Plus, anyone enrolling in a Noble training course can retake the class any time within a calendar year for free. This will ensure that students have even more time to practice their AWS skills.

People who are interested in an overview of the tools offered by Amazon and their basic functions will want to enroll in Noble’s Cloud Computing with AWS course. This class will teach participants how to build enterprise-level cloud computing environments for various professional purposes. Students will learn how to use cloud infrastructure for building networks and databases and receive practical, hands-on training in these skills to be ready to apply their training once they enter the professional world. This is an excellent course for those who want to work with AWS tools but aren’t sure that they want to specialize in a specific aspect of the program suite.

AWS is vital to modern cybersecurity infrastructures because many major institutions and organizations utilize the platform. If you’re interested in entering this important and growing career field, you will want to enroll in Noble’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp. In this immersive, career-focused training program, students will learn how to analyze and engineer cybersecurity systems for Python, Linux, and cloud computing databases like AWS. As more important and sensitive data is stored on cloud systems, businesses will become more invested in their cybersecurity infrastructure. In this class, students will learn techniques for monitoring, analyzing, and planning cybersecurity systems, how to discover weaknesses and potential exploits in a system, and how to recognize attackers and security breaches. This is an ideal course for any student who wants to enter into a new career in the in-demand field of cybersecurity. You may also wish to explore their other options for cybersecurity classes and bootcamps through Noble Desktop.