How to Learn Data Online

If you’re just starting to learn a new skill, you can find dozens of tips and resources online; learning data is no different.Professionals use data to research the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, track web and app traffic, follow the customer journey, track budgets, project future earnings, and more. Data Scientists and Data Analysts manage databases, refine mass amounts of data, organize data, create data visualizations, identify trends, and present recommendations to stakeholders. If you’ve always wanted to learn data, 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 Data?

Data refers to facts and statistics collected for reference or analysis. Data allows businesses to track finances, marketing campaigns, market share, efficiency, and more. Today, data management systems can sort complex data from numerous sources using artificial intelligence and machine learning, giving businesses unparalleled insights. Some data management systems can also make future projections based on existing data. These forecasts assist businesses in planning budgets, setting goals, determining deadlines, and more.

We all use data daily, but some professions specialize in gathering, analyzing, storing, and managing data. These careers include Data Analysts, Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, Business Intelligence Analysts, Data Architects, Marketing Analysts, Business Systems Analysts, and more. Whether you wish to pursue one of these careers or simply want to understand the data systems and strategies that impact your business, online and in-person classes can teach you valuable skills. 

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

What Can You Do with Data?

Data has nearly endless uses. Data measures the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, determines budgets, forecasts company growth, and highlights industry trends, trends within an organization, and more. Understanding data science and data analytics can help business owners better manage their organizations, help marketing teams become more efficient and effective, assist business leaders in determining goals, or help launch your career as a Data Analyst or Data Scientist. 

Data science jobs include Python Engineers, Data Journalists, Data Engineers, Business Analysts, and more. Data Scientists create machine learning models that help process raw data, giving a company better insights. Analysts interpret and track this data to continuously improve processes. Data helps organizations make the most of every minute and every dollar, which is one reason Data Scientists and Data Analysts are in such high demand.

Live Online Data Training

Live online data training includes many benefits of in-person training with a few additional perks. Expert instructors lead live online classes. Using a webcam and online learning portal, you get face-to-face interaction and real-time feedback comparable to an in-person class, but without the commute. Remote access maximizes your class scheduling options. Want to take a London class from your home in Chicago? You can do that. Need to access your class while on the road? All you need is your computer and an internet connection. Live online classes also provide the ability to collaborate with classmates and receive instructor guidance on hands-on projects. Hands-on experience is crucial to mastering data analytics and data science skills. The main drawbacks of live online classes are the tuition cost and that you will not have the same local networking opportunities offered with an in-person class. Flexible financing options and one-on-one mentorship help compensate for these issues.

You will want to compare different schools and courses to find the live online data class that’s best for you. Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool lets you explore and compare live online data classes worldwide. Considerations to keep in mind include class meeting times, the cost of tuition, financing options, alumni outcomes, part-time vs. full-time enrollment, and whether the program includes additional benefits such as mentorship and job search assistance. You will also want to consider if a short-term class, a bootcamp, or an immersive program best fits your needs. Noble Desktop offers data science bootcamps like the Python Machine Learning Bootcamp and Python for Data Science Bootcamp. You can also look into immersive programs such as Noble’s Data Analysis Certificate program. NYC Data Science Academy offers online classes in machine programming with R, big data with Amazon Cloud, and data science with Python. Digital Workshop Center and NYIM Training offer courses on valuable tools like Excel. You can explore these and dozens of other class options with the Classes Near Me tool.

On-Demand Data Classes

On-demand classes, also known as self-paced or asynchronous classes, are courses you can progress through at your own pace, on your own schedule. Classes may consist entirely of pre-recorded videos and preloaded material or may include some time-sensitive work, such as assignments due at the end of each week. Most on-demand classes consist primarily of video content supplemented with downloadable materials. You can find these sorts of classes on paid learning platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning. You can also find some free on-demand courses, which typically introduce a subject or provide a broad overview. 

On-demand courses work well for exploring less complex topics or topics you may have some familiarity with. However, the more complex a topic, the more challenging an on-demand course can prove. Lack of access to an instructor can leave students trying to figure things out on their own, which is both frustrating and time-consuming.

Explore Noble Desktop’s list of on-demand data classes to learn more about the types of available data training options. 

Free Intro Courses & Tutorials

If you aren’t ready to dive into an entire course and want to begin with an overview of data, you can begin with free introductory data courses online. Noble Desktop offers a free online seminar to get you started in data science. You can watch this video on demand at any time. 

Paid learning platforms like Udemy and Coursera offer a free trial during which you can start data classes. You can view video courses on data science, data analytics, machine learning, SQL, Tableau, Excel, and more.

Read about more free data videos and online tutorials.

Comparing Online Methods with In-Person Learning 

Three main data training formats are in-person data classes, live online data courses, and on-demand/self-paced data courses.

In-person data classes meet at a physical location. A local instructor leads the class, answering questions and guiding students through hands-on projects that reinforce data skills. In-person classes allow you to network with local professionals such as your instructor and classmates. Small class sizes ensure more individual attention and training. Students' main difficulties with in-person data classes are finding a time and location that works. Commuting to a physical learning location requires dedicating more time to your data training. Since local classes may have a limited selection, you may struggle to find a class that teaches exactly the skills you wish to pursue or meets at a time that works for your schedule. In-person classes include high tuition compared to other forms of learning, though many offer flexible financing plans to ease the upfront costs. This type of training works best for those looking to make local connections and who prefer to learn in a traditional classroom setting.

Live online data classes include many benefits offered with in-person classes, minus the commute. Expert instructors lead online courses and provide real-time feedback, answering your questions, assisting with technical difficulties, and guiding hands-on projects. Remote learning enables students and teachers to access the class from anywhere with an internet connection. So, you can learn from any location and take classes from instructors anywhere in the world. The freedom to enroll in online classes from schools in New York, London, Sydney, and more maximizes your options, enabling you to find a class that meets at a time convenient to your schedule and teaches the skills you wish to learn. Live online classes tend to cost the same as in-person courses. The ability to network locally is the one aspect of in-person learning that online classes cannot replicate.

On-demand data classes, also known as self-paced classes, have the lowest cost of any data training format. These classes work best as a starting point to gain a high-level overview of a topic. Some platforms, like YouTube, include free video classes. Other platforms, like Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and Coursera, include video-based on-demand classes accessible through paid subscriptions. Because data science and data analysis require so much technical knowledge and can prove complex and challenging, learning data with self-paced courses can prove frustrating. The lack of instructor access is the biggest drawback to this learning format. Students may have to wait hours or days for an instructor to reply through email, halting their progress completely. Instructor-led courses, by contrast, provide real-time feedback.

Tips to Succeed when Learning Data Online

Online data training options include on-demand and live online classes.

Learning Data with On-demand Classes

On-demand classes, also called self-paced or asynchronous classes, consist of pre-recorded videos and other pre-uploaded material. This material is often static, meaning that it does not change. Students review this material at their own pace by watching videos, reading textual content, and sometimes submitting assignments or completing tests. Some on-demand courses include assignments with strict deadlines; otherwise, it is entirely up to students to determine when and how they learn. This flexibility of pace and schedule makes on-demand courses highly convenient for busy individuals who may find scheduling a live class difficult. On-demand courses also cost far less than live online classes. You can access self-paced courses on learning platforms like Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and Coursera for as little as $30 per month, though you should note that it can take several months to complete a course, so this is not a one-time payment. 

The biggest drawback to on-demand classes is the lack of instructor feedback. Some courses do not offer instructor access, while others require waiting hours or days for an emailed response to your questions. The more complex a topic, the more likely you will want to consult with an expert. The long wait for an emailed response halts your progress and can prove highly frustrating. However, on-demand courses can be a solid introduction to a topic and help you determine what data skills you most want or need to learn. You can even take some on-demand courses for free, such as Noble Desktop’s Get Started in Data Science class. 

Here are a few ways to succeed with on-demand courses: 

• You will need the self-discipline to study and practice daily or regularly.
• You will need to have patience. Few skills can be learned overnight. Give yourself the time needed to build your data skills.
• Research an on-demand course’s reputation to see what past students think, whether the class includes up-to-date information, what skills you can expect to gain, the class format, and how it compares to similar courses.

You can explore on-demand data classes and comparable live online classes here.

Learning Data with Live Online Classes

Another way to learn data virtually is through live online classes. Expert instructors lead these classes in real time, giving you immediate answers and feedback. Live online classes go beyond lectures and quizzes. Your instructor will guide you through hands-on projects to give you real-world knowledge and experience. 

The advantages of live online data classes include: 

• Access to a live instructor. 
• Structured learning through weekly classes and assignments.
• The ability to collaborate with classmates in real time.
• Small class sizes that allow for collaboration and personalized instruction.
• The ability to learn from an instructor without commuting.
• The flexibility to learn from anywhere with an internet connection.
• The option to learn from home using the setup you know and prefer.
• The flexibility to take classes from schools around the world, so you can find the class schedule and curriculum that works best for you.
• Hands-on projects. Assignments based on real-world use cases allow you to put theory into practice. The only way to truly learn a skill is to gain firsthand experience. These projects also become part of your professional portfolio, showcasing your abilities to prospective employers.

You should also seek out programs that offer additional benefits, such as: 

• Flexible payment options. 
• Setup assistance. 
• Mentorship. 
• Professional portfolio assistance. 
• Resume reviews.
• Job search assistance.
• Free retakes.

Some drawbacks with live online classes to keep in mind are the overall cost and the need to meet at a designated time each week. Live online classes often have scheduling options for evenings and weekends, making it easier to learn outside of office hours. You can also look for classes in a different time zone than yours if those times work better for your schedule. The cost of a live online course depends mainly on the length of the course. Shorter courses may cost a few hundred dollars, while more extended programs, such as data science and data analytics certificate courses, cost around $4,000. Many live online data classes include flexible payment options to ease upfront costs.

Some tips for succeeding with live online data classes include: 

• Staying on top of assignments. Procrastination can lead to panic and frustration, so staying on top of assignments and deadlines is best. 
• Have patience with yourself. Data science and data analytics topics and tools take time to learn. Give yourself time to build up your skills. 
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Live online classes have the advantage of providing a real-time instructor. You can learn the most from your teacher’s expertise by asking questions and seeking feedback.

You can find live online data classes covering broad topics and skills and focusing on a specific tool or skill. Noble Desktop offers data tools training through Google Analytics, Microsoft Excel, and Tableau bootcamps.

Use live online data classes to launch a new career with certificate programs like Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate program and Data Science Certificate program, which teach students the foundational and advanced skills needed for data professions.

You can learn more about live online data classes from around the world here.

Key Insights

• You can learn data online through on-demand classes and live online classes.
• On-demand classes consist of pre-recorded videos and largely static material that students progress through at their own pace.
• The benefits of on-demand classes include affordable paid subscriptions, easy access, and the flexibility to learn at the time and pace you choose.
• The biggest drawback to on-demand classes is the lack of access to an instructor, leaving your questions unanswered for hours or days and impeding your progress.
• Expert instructors teach live online data classes. These teachers provide real-time feedback, guide you through hands-on projects, and answer your questions immediately.
• Live online classes have a higher cost than on-demand classes but also include benefits that on-demand classes do not, such as mentorship, small class sizes, instant feedback, job search assistance, and more.
• Flexible payment plans help ease the upfront cost of a live online class.
• Live online data class subjects range from learning specific tools like Excel or Google Analytics to learning complex topics like data science or data analytics.
• You can learn data online through Noble Desktop’s on-demand and live online training options.

Learn Data with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers hands-on training in data science and data analytics. These courses are led by expert instructors and include hands-on projects, small class sizes, and free retake options. Noble offers a Data Analytics Certificate and Data Science Certificate. Both certificate programs include one-on-one mentoring, setup assistance, flexible payment options, and career preparation. 

You can also focus on learning specific data science or analytics skills through classes and bootcamps. Learn how to write SQL queries, join tables, aggregate data, and filter results with SQL Bootcamp. The Tableau for Data Visualization course shows you how to convert raw data into interactive visualizations. 

You can explore multiple data analytics and data science training options here.