Which Django Training Format Is Right for Me?

Django is a Python web framework that is free and open source. Web Developers use Django to rapidly build secure websites and web applications. Other benefits of Django include its ability to reduce development time across entire teams, thus increasing scalability and allowing teams to meet their deadlines easily. When comparing types of Django training, there are many factors to consider. Everyone learns differently, and choosing the right kind of training is critical to your experience.

Keep reading to find out more about the different formats of Django training, how they compare to each other, and how to determine which is 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

Training Formats for Django

The many options for learning Django can feel overwhelming. You may wonder which Django training method would work best for you. Django training formats include in-person Django training, live online classes, free online tutorials, and on-demand classes. 

In-Person Django Training

In-person Django training refers to face-to-face classes at a local facility. Points to consider when researching in-person classes include the location, class time, and cost. In-person training offers some advantages regarding local networking. You can connect with fellow students and gain industry connections through classmates or your instructor. These connections can prove useful when you begin your job search. Some drawbacks to in-person Django classes are that commuting to and from the class location adds to the total time you must dedicate to your training each week. Evening classes are intended to allow students who work during the day to take the class after the workday ends. However, many metropolitan areas experience high traffic during this time, adding to your commute time. In-person classes also typically offer fewer scheduling options than online courses.

You can use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool to discover in-person Python classes in your area. Noble offers live classes in New York City, which students can access anywhere through the live online option. Django is typically taught as part of a broader Python curriculum. Noble Desktop’s Python Developer Certificate covers Python fundamentals, Django, and more. Other schools with in-person Python classes include NYC Data Science Academy, Practical Programming, and Flatiron School.

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.

Free Online 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.

The Django Project offers free documentation, including written tutorials, topic guides, how-to guides, and reference guides. This documentation can help you get started with Django. The website also provides the means to download Django, join the Django community, and more. 

On-Demand Classes

Some online Django courses use an on-demand model, also known as an asynchronous schedule. With this model, students self-pace through the course. This offers maximum flexibility as to how quickly students advance, when students complete assignments, and offers the opportunity to review material at any point. Disadvantages of the on-demand learning model include a lack of access to an instructor and a potentially outdated curriculum. Some courses offer office hours or email support for students to reach out to instructors, but this method of receiving feedback is slow and unreliable. This can make completing assignments and advancing through subjects difficult and frustrating.

Comparison of Django Training Formats

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. 

Is it Possible to Teach Yourself Django?

Free Django training resources can help you learn fundamental concepts, as can paid on-demand classes. However, these training methods have one serious drawback: lack of access to an instructor. Django is a complex web framework, and working through hands-on Django projects can prove challenging. If you have questions or need assistance, trying to learn on your own no longer suffices. For this reason, instructor-led courses are the best way to learn and retain Django skills. Instructor-led courses include in-person and live online classes in which an expert teacher provides accurate, up-to-date information and leads you through hands-on activities. 

You also do not have to choose just one means of learning Django. You can supplement instructor-led classes with online videos, build foundational knowledge through free resources, and then advance to an instructor-led class or program. Ultimately, you can choose any combination of methods that works best for you.

How to Decide the Best Way to Learn Django

When deciding how best to learn Django, consider the top goal you wish to accomplish by learning this Python framework. For example, you may wish to start a new career that requires Django skills, advance your existing career by adding Django to your resume, or create a more efficient workflow for yourself or your team. You will also want to consider whether you prefer an in-person or online course.

In-person classes provide all necessary equipment and allow students to network with other local professionals. Like in-person classes, live online courses are led by an expert instructor in real-time. Online classes offer some advantages over in-person classes, such as allowing students to learn remotely and offering more flexible scheduling options.

If your goal is to start a new career, you will need to learn Django as part of a broader skill set. Noble Desktop’s Python Developer Certificate and Software Engineering Certificate teach Django as part of the Python development curriculum. Both of these certificate programs prepare students for development careers. The two programs differ in that the Python Developer Certificate focuses specifically on Python programming while the Software Engineering Certificate teaches Python programming in addition to JavaScript and front end development. Both certificate programs offer flexible payment plans, live online instructors who offer real-time feedback, one-on-one mentoring, and a free retake.

If you are brand new to Django, you may wish to gain a high-level overview before committing to a paid course. Free introductory classes such as Noble Desktop’s Intro to Python Fundamentals seminar teaches the origins and use cases of Python programming, how to install Python, what Python coding looks like, and more.

Those wishing to focus specifically on learning Django who already have a grasp on the Python fundamentals can learn about Noble’s Python Web Development with Django course. This bootcamp reviews Python programming basics and provides hands-on lessons on Django REST. By the end of this bootcamp, you will know how to work with images, manage authentication, and use API endpoints with Django REST.

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.