Comparison of IT Training Formats

Information technology is a vast and ever-changing field that can lead to a truly fulfilling career. But, first, you must learn all the ins and outs and become an expert. Once you’ve decided to learn IT, the next important step is deciding how to learn these skills. Most students learn better when they receive guided training and, lucky for you, there are no shortage of options to receive guidance in IT training. To learn more about the different IT training options, and what advantages and disadvantages they carry with them, read on.

What is IT?

The field of information technology (commonly referred to as IT) involves working with the computer systems, hardware, software, and networks related to the processing and distribution of data. The umbrella of IT also encompasses things like networking hardware (servers and routers) and applications that allow communication over a variety of networks and the internet. 

The term “information technology” was first used in a 1958 publication of the Harvard Business Review, which divided IT into the following three categories: techniques for processing, the use of statistical and mathematical methods to make decisions, and the simulation of higher-order thinking through computer programs. Businesses devote entire departments to information technology, assembling teams to handle these tasks. 

Data processing plays a significant role in a variety of business practices, including product development and design, marketing and market research, sales and invoicing, customer development and retention, accounting and taxes, human resources and payroll, and regulatory compliance. IT has become an essential part of nearly every modern industry, so it is a wise choice to become an expert in information technology.

What Can You Do with IT Skills?

Learning IT can be useful in many ways, both professionally and personally. If you currently work in an adjacent or similar field, learning IT can help you develop new skills that can either advance your current career or help you launch a new one. On a personal level, you could use your IT savvy to troubleshoot your own computer and networking problems or create custom systems, networks, or computer programs. 

Why Training Format Matters

The way you learn is important and specific to you. There are countless factors that influence your choice in training formats, so it’s important to keep these in mind while researching classes. Things like your schedule, preferred learning method, and where you live will all impact which training format is best for you. It’s a lot to consider, so this article will help you learn about all your options and how to decide which one is best for you. 

Types of Training Formats

There are four main ways to learn IT: live in-person classes, live online courses, on-demand classes, and free resources. Each one has been outlined below so that you can consider the pros and cons. 

Live In-Person Classes

In-person classes are considered the best way to master IT as quickly and efficiently as possible. Held on location at scheduled times, these classes offer face-to-face interaction with your fellow students and your expert instructor. If you encounter any challenging material, you can ask questions in real time instead of spending unnecessary time figuring it out on your own. You are also able to work with other students, allowing you to practice teamwork skills and build relationships. This collaborative environment is available for both full-time and part-time classes and provides structure and accountability, two things that can help you succeed. 

Live Online Classes

Live virtual courses are considered the middle ground between on-demand and in-person classes. You’ll attend scheduled class times from the comfort of your own home (or wherever you choose) to learn from an expert instructor. Live online classes offer instant feedback from your teacher and interactions with other students, creating the opportunity for a deeper understanding of the coursework. These classes are ideal for students that thrive in a structured learning environment but perhaps don’t live near any in-person offerings. Or, if you simply prefer online learning, then a live virtual class could be for you. 

Live online classes do have some downsides, though. If you rely on the accountability of attending things in-person, you may struggle to stay focused in an online course. These classes can also vary in cost, from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on the length and depth of the program. Financial assistance is rarely available for these courses, but you can typically set up a payment plan to help make these courses more accessible.

On-Demand Classes

Also known as self-paced, on-demand classes offer the most flexibility of any class option but don’t win any awards for speed. They do have quite a few benefits for busy professionals, though. Not only can you learn from wherever you want, you can also learn whenever you want. There are no due dates or scheduled class times, so you can take your time on challenging topics or skip over ones you’ve already mastered. 

These classes are ideal for learners with complicated schedules who need to squeeze their studying in around their work and other obligations. You’ll need to be an independent and self-motivated student to succeed in an on-demand class. It’s very easy to lose momentum or fall behind when you don’t have any outside accountability, so these courses tend to take longer than a structured live course. 

Free Courses

You could take advantage of free resources like YouTube making the most of the insights, tools, and short tutorials made available by industry experts. Coursera boasts hundreds of various training sessions and videos lasting from just a few minutes to a few days. 

While free resources are financially helpful, this method can take the most time. You’ll be responsible for sourcing all your learning materials and ensuring that you’ve covered all the important subjects of HTML and CSS, and this process can take a substantial amount of time. Additionally, like on-demand courses, it’s easy to lose motivation and fall behind with free resources.

Depth of Training Formats

It’s important to keep in mind that training formats will provide various levels of depth in their curriculum. Some courses, like intro classes, focus on the basics. Other classes may focus on specific tools or skills, while some may provide an in-depth holistic approach to an overarching subject, like web development or programming. These are all outlined for you below. 

Certificate Programs

Certificate programs are focused on professional development, meaning they’ll cover topics that will be relevant to a career in web development or programming. These are longer than attending a quick course or bootcamp, and can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months (depending on if you attend full-time or part-time. While their curriculum is robust and a certificate of competency will look good to potential employers, they may not be the best option if you’re wanting to focus on one individual skill or want to complete a course quickly. 

It’s important to note that certificates can cost substantially more than a quick course, but the higher cost is often worth the more in-depth curriculum that these programs provide.

Training Bootcamps

Bootcamps are typically held live either in-person or virtually. Bootcamps allow for in-the-moment discourse with an expert instructor. If you’re struggling with a particular subject, you can ask questions and receive feedback instantly. Additionally, live bootcamps offer a level of accountability that many students say they need to succeed. Schedule class times and assignment due dates motivate you to stay on track. 

These courses are shorter (a few hours to a few days) and cost less than a certificate program, in part due to how they primarily focus on one skill or tool, as opposed to an entire subject.

Introductory Courses

The shortest classes you’ll find will be introductory level courses. These classes can typically be completed in just a day or two. These classes are designed for complete beginners, so they’ll focus on the basics of IT and the fundamental techniques and tools associated with it. These classes are often held live, either in-person or online, allowing you to chat with your instructor and receive feedback in real time. It’s important to keep in mind that these classes won’t cover advanced subjects, so if you want to learn more than just the basics, an introductory class may not be the best option for you.

These classes are often your cheapest option (not including free resources, of course), creating a low-pressure way to test out a new subject of interest. If you end up loving it, you can move on to an advanced course or attend a bootcamp or certificate course.

Learn IT Skills with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop’s Data Science Certificate prepares you for entry-level data science and Python engineering roles. You’ll learn how to manipulate databases and perform data analysis, read and write complex database queries, prepare and clean data for analysis, and use Python to automate everyday tasks such as aggregating, updating, and formatting data. This course also covers how to clean and balance your data with Pandas, apply machine learning algorithms with the scikit-learn library to solve real-world problems, and analyze the results to detect areas for improvement. Finally, you’ll build and present dynamic dashboards and other data visualizations and deploy your projects online with GitHub to demonstrate your analytical abilities to employers.

Their Software Engineering Certificate is another option for aspiring IT students. Divided into front end development, React Development, and Django (Python) Development, you will learn HTML to mark up web pages and CSS for styling; the fundamentals of JavaScript and Git; and how to use Flexbox and Grid to layout, align, reorder, and adapt web page content to different size screens. You’ll then move on to the fundamental JavaScript programming concepts, including variables, data types, loops, and DOM. Plus, you’ll cover topics like React, a powerful JavaScript library for web development, and master Node.js, MongoDB, and Express.js to round out your JavaScript development skills.

By creating a portfolio of projects, preparing for common interview questions, and polishing your resume and LinkedIn profile, this course will have you ready to pursue a new job in software engineering in as little as 20 weeks (on a full-time schedule). One-on-one mentoring and a free one-year retake are included in the cost of this course. Payment plans and tuition assistance are available, and this training requires no previous experience, making it great for beginners.

Or, you could try your hand at Noble’s Python Developer Bootcamp. This three-week online course teaches Python for software development with Django, Django REST, and other developer tools like Git and SQL. You’ll start by learning the basics of Python, including its lexical syntax, then move to more advanced topics like dictionaries, custom functions, and sorting algorithms. In week two, you'll learn object-oriented programming, how to work with APIs, and get an introduction to web databases using SQL. By creating projects that can be added to your portfolio, you’ll master URL dispatchers, querying models, and automating tasks with Django, as well as how to work with images, authentication, and use API endpoints with Django REST. 

It’s recommended that you are comfortable coding HTML and basic CSS. You should possess equivalent knowledge of Noble Desktop’s Web Development with HTML & CSS class, and mastery of another programming language is helpful, but not required. Payment plans and financing are available, in addition to extra perks like one-on-one mentoring, a free one-year retake, and a verified digital certificate are included with your purchase.