How to Learn Django Online

If you’re just starting to learn a new skill, you can find dozens of tips and resources online; learning Django is no different. Django is a Python web framework that rapidly builds secure websites and web applications. Web Developers, Python Developers, and Data Scientists regularly use Django. If you’ve always wanted to learn Django, 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 Django?

Django is a popular, open-source Python web framework used to rapidly, efficiently, and securely develop websites and web applications. Django began in 2003 as a way for developers Adrian Holovaty and Simon Willison to quickly build Lawrence Journal-World’s multiple news sites, constantly churning out new content for various communities. Since the public first gained access to Django in 2005, developers worldwide have made use of this free framework and contributed to its advancement. Today, Django improvements are managed by the nonprofit Django Software Foundation.

Django streamlines the web development process by emphasizing reusable components. These components eliminate the need for developers to manually enter the same code repeatedly. The time Django saves developers empowers web development teams to increase scalability, meet deadlines, and build multiple websites and web applications in quick succession.

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

What Can You Do with Django?

Wondering what you can do with Django? Django has numerous use cases for web development, data science, and more. Django can build all sorts of websites, including a Content Management System (CMS), news site, social media platform, and more. 

Python objects called models allow Django web applications to query and manage data. Django’s simple query API allows the associated database to be searched, enabling complex statements. 

Django’s template systems allow developers to define an output document’s structure. It delivers content in nearly any format, including RSS feeds, HTML, XML, and JSON. Django supports its native templating system, the Jinja2 Python library out of the box, and can also be modified to support other systems. 

Other things you can do with Django include: 

• Collecting user data with HTML forms
• Manage a user permission and authentication system
• Create an administration site
• Serialize data

Live Online Django Training

Live online Django training refers to virtual classes led by an instructor in real time. Like in-person classes, your instructor provides guidance and feedback as you learn. Instructors can guide you through hands-on assignments and, with your permission, take control of your screen should you run into any technical difficulties. You can find a live online class for almost any Python programming skill. Because students and instructors access this class remotely, virtual classes offer more flexible scheduling than in-person classes and save you the time you would spend commuting. To access a live online course, however, you must ensure you have the proper equipment, programs, and setup.

Prospective students can access live online Django classes from anywhere in the world. Unlike self-paced/on-demand classes that consist of pre-recorded lectures with limited instructor access, live online classes connect you to an expert instructor in real time. Live online classes engage students through hands-on activities with personalized feedback. Your instructor can instantly assist you by answering questions or, with your permission, taking control of your screen. Live online classes have the added benefit of requiring zero commute, saving time, and making it easier to fit Django training into your schedule.

You can explore live online Python classes through Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool. Noble Desktop offers Python training classes for beginners and experienced users. You can also explore virtual class options from Pacific Center for Advanced Technology Training, Media Training, City Lit, CodeClan, and more.

On-Demand Django Classes

On-demand Django courses consist of pre-recorded videos and primarily static content. Students watch these videos and complete assignments at their own pace, though some classes will have strict due dates that students must submit assignments by. These classes rely primarily on self-discipline and self-pacing. While this allows students maximum flexibility in determining schedules and progressing through lessons, it also means students have few resources to turn to for assistance if they run into questions or other obstacles. Some on-demand classes remedy this by giving students email access to instructors or adding scheduled office hours. While these solutions offer some support, the asynchronous nature of this type of communication results in students waiting hours or days to receive answers, leaving them stuck and frustrated. On-demand classes also have a higher likelihood of including outdated material. 

Some on-demand Django courses are available for free. Others are offered for a flat payment or as part of a paid subscription. One area on-demand classes shine is in their affordability. Many platforms offer free trials and low monthly subscription rates. Platforms like Udemy and Coursera offer paid subscriptions that allow students to take as many classes as they like for one flat monthly or yearly fee. These fees average $30-50 per month, depending on the platform and type of subscription. Due to their affordability, on-demand classes offer an excellent introduction to topics. Once you have established where your interests lie, you can put the money saved toward in-person or live online classes that take you deeper into the subject.

Free Intro Courses & Tutorials

Before committing to a full course, you can gain an overview of Django with free introductory courses online. Noble Desktop’s Intro to Python Fundamentals is a free online course introducing Python coding to beginners.

Other on-demand online courses include video courses found on sites like Udemy and Coursera. Coursera’s Programming For Everybody (Getting Started with Python) class is an on-demand video series from the University of Michigan. This and other Coursera courses permit a seven-day free trial before committing to a paid plan. Coursera also offers Python courses from Google, IBM Skills Network, and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The subscription platform Udemy also offers a seven-day free trial for the subscription-based model. A Udemy subscription allows you to take as many courses as you please. You can also purchase a course for a flat fee and progress through it at your own pace without a subscription. 

Read about more free Python videos and online tutorials.

Comparing Online Methods with In-Person Learning 

There are three prevalent Django training formats: self-paced/on-demand, in-person, and live online classes. This section outlines the advantages and limitations of each course type so you can choose the Django training format that best fits your needs.

Self-paced/on-demand classes consist of pre-recorded videos and previously uploaded supplementary materials. These courses can be purchased for a flat fee or as part of a subscription. Popular platforms for self-paced/on-demand classes include Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, Skillshare, and Coursera. The two main advantages of on-demand training are schedule and affordability. Self-paced courses permit students to advance at their own pace without needing to schedule live class times. It is important to note, however, that some on-demand courses still have set due dates for assignments. 

On-demand courses are also far less expensive than in-person classes or live online classes because on-demand courses consist of largely static material, with no or minimal instructor involvement. The drawback of static material is that it can quickly become outdated, and with little access to an instructor, any roadblocks you encounter can hinder your progress for hours or days while you wait for a response to your question or issue. This lack of instructor access proves especially frustrating when learning a challenging web framework like Django. However, on-demand classes can prove a valuable way to gain high-level overviews and foundational knowledge of topics. Once you know which subjects interest you most and most align with your goals, you will know which instructor-led courses you wish to pursue.

In-person Django courses offer some advantages no other class type provides: the ability to network with local professionals face to face and access all equipment and software needed via an onsite computer lab. Networking with area professionals can prove especially valuable if you want a job in your current city. Your instructor can also serve as a local mentor, offering direct feedback and guiding you through hands-on projects. The major drawbacks to in-person training include limited course offerings and the time and energy spent commuting to a physical learning facility.

Live online classes offer many of the same benefits in-person classes provide. Because teachers and students access these classes remotely, you can select classes from almost anywhere in the world, maximizing the available options for virtual Django classes. You can also learn from any location, whether at home, a favorite cafe, a local library, or even on the go. Live online classes are led by an expert instructor, so you receive real-time feedback and assistance much like you would in an in-person class. You can also collaborate with classmates and work through hands-on projects in a virtual learning environment. Your instructor can offer immediate assistance if you have questions or encounter any issues. 

Tips to Succeed when Learning Django Online

Learning Django online can prove difficult if you go it alone, but mastering necessary and recommended prerequisites, deciding your career and learning goals, and choosing the online learning method that best fits those goals will help you succeed.

Master Django Prerequisites

Before you learn Django, you must master the fundamentals of Python coding. If you have prior coding experience, you can begin learning Python. If you do not have any prior programming experience, learning a basic coding language before learning Python will significantly benefit you. You can start by learning HTML and CSS. These two coding languages are some of the easiest to learn and absolute essentials for any Web Developer, so if you intend to use Python for web development, HTML and CSS are doubly beneficial to learn. You can often learn HTML and CSS together in a single online course, such as Noble Desktop’s Intro to HTML & CSS class and Intro to Web Development with HTML & CSS course.

To start learning Python fundamentals, you can choose between classes that focus exclusively on Python or learn Python as part of a broader curriculum, for example, a web development course that includes Python. Noble Desktop’s Python Coding Bootcamp covers the fundamentals and teaches you Django in a single class. The class also covers Django REST, SQL, Git, and more.

Decide Your Career and Learning Goals

To succeed in learning Django, it helps to first decide your career goals, then determine specific learning objectives designed to meet those career goals. What kind of career do you want your Django skills to contribute to? Will this be a new career or help you advance your current one? Will you apply Django to software development, web development, data science, or another focus? Answering these questions will help you to define your career goals. 

Once you have defined your career goals, you can decide what Django skills will move you toward those goals. Determining your learning objectives will help you decide what Django training method to pursue. Some Django classes cover many uses while others focus on specific Django applications, such as Noble Desktop’s Python Web Development with Django course, which caters to aspiring Web Developers.

An additional consideration is what learning style best suits you. The following section outlines the benefits and drawbacks of several Django training methods to help you determine the best fit for your needs.

Choose an Online Training Method

Online Django training comes in two main forms: self-paced/on-demand classes and instructor-led/live online classes. 

Self-paced/on-demand classes consist of pre-recorded videos and other pre-uploaded course content that students work through at their own pace. Most on-demand Django classes are available through paid learning platform subscriptions such as Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and Coursera. These classes are the most economical and allow the most flexibility in determining the pace at which you learn. You can review the course content at any time and pace that works for you, except for any deadline-driven assignments required as part of the class. The biggest hurdle to learning a complex Python web framework like Django through on-demand courses is that self-paced classes typically lack access to a teacher. You may be able to email an instructor or meet with an instructor online during specified office hours; however, waiting hours or days for an answer to your question seriously impedes your progress. It can also prove frustrating when certain concepts or assignments cause roadblocks to your learning. 

Live online classes include real-time communication with your instructor, so your questions are answered without delay. Instructors can also assist you by taking control of your screen, with your permission, if you run into any technical issues. Live online classes meet at specified times, which can be a challenge to those with busy schedules. Many live online Django courses are scheduled for evenings or weekends, which can help professionals balance learning Django with the responsibilities of a weekday job. Live online Django courses may also include more current information than on-demand classes, help you build a professional portfolio, and offer other benefits such as a free retake, resume review, one-on-one mentoring, and job assistance. These benefits can make the higher cost of live online classes worth the investment. 

Learn Django with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Learning Django not only requires learning the principles and applications of this framework but applying those concepts to real-world, hands-on projects. In-person and live online Django classes provide the opportunity to put theory into practice. Courses led by an instructor also grant you direct access to an expert that can help you overcome obstacles, answer your questions, and provide mentorship as you develop your Django skills.

You can learn Django with Noble Desktop’s hands-on training options like the Software Engineering Bootcamp, Python Developer Certificate, the Python Django Development course, and other Python classes and bootcamps. 

The Software Engineering and Python Developer certificate programs teach Django as part of a broader curriculum. The Software Engineering Certificate prepares students to become Full Stack Developers or Software Engineers with sections dedicated to front end development, JavaScript development, and Python development with Django. The Python Developer Certificate teaches beginners to use Django, Django REST, Git, SQL, and more. 

Students already familiar with Python but wishing for a deeper dive into Django can enroll in the Python Django Development course. This class covers the fundamentals of Django and how to use Django REST, which is used to build web APIs.

Noble’s small class sizes ensure you receive personal feedback from your instructor. Courses include free retakes and offer flexible payment plans so you can finance your new career without paying the full tuition upfront. Certificate courses also include one-on-one mentorship and the creation of professional portfolios to help you find a job in your new field.

Key Insights

• Django is a free, open-source Python web framework primarily used to rapidly build secure websites and web applications. 
• You can learn Django online through free introductory courses, paid on-demand courses, or instructor-led/live online classes.
• Django is a difficult web framework to learn and requires a thorough knowledge of Python coding fundamentals. 
• Students learning Django benefit from knowing another coding language. 
• Free courses typically serve as a high-level overview of Django fundamentals.
• On-demand classes are affordable but offer little or no instructor support.
• Live online classes offer real-time feedback from instructors, making it easier to learn and providing guidance for hands-on projects.