How to Learn Python Online

If you’re just starting to learn a new skill, you can find dozens of tips and resources online; learning Python is no different. Python is a computer programming language with a massive range of uses. Companies like Google, Netflix, and Spotify use Python for everything from back end development to data analysis.

If you’ve always wanted to learn Python, 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 Python?

Python is one of the fastest-growing programming languages on the planet. Data Scientists, Web Developers, and other tech professionals use Python for a range of tasks—from building websites to data analysis, automation, and machine learning. Like Java and Ruby, Python is mainly an object-oriented programming language (OOP), which means it organizes around data (objects) instead of functions or logic.

Thanks to its straightforward syntax, adaptability, and the urgent need for Python skills in today’s job market, this essential language ranks as the number one choice for those learning to code. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the average growth rate for Web Developers will be 13% between 2020 and 2030, and many of these positions demand Python. Other fields requiring Python include cybersecurity, software engineering, and business analysis.

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

What Can You Do with Python?

Python is a versatile language with a host of applications, but the most well-known include:

• Data Science - Data science extends to numerous industries, and using Python to understand data is paramount. Python libraries like NumPy and Matplotlib enable Data Scientists and other professionals to use visualization to gain insights into data. Additional top Python libraries include TensorFlow, SciPy, Pandas, and Scikit-learn.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML) - Machine Learning Engineers and Architects use Python to build models. At the same time, AI Engineers and Architects may need this essential programming language for everything from assessing AI solutions to advanced automation.
• Web Development - The use of Python in web development goes back to its beginnings. Frameworks like Django and Flask have famously provided web development for household name companies like Instagram, Dropbox, and Pinterest. Tech pros, including Developers, report that Python is easy to integrate with other languages like C/C++ and Java. Other top frameworks include Bottle, CherryPy, and Dash.
• Game Development - Frameworks for game development include Pygame, PyKyra, and Panda3D, but there are numerous others. Python continues to support the gaming industry in meaningful ways.
• Enterprise Applications - Enterprise-grade apps built with Python include leading technology stacks like Netflix, Microsoft, and Spotify.

Live Online Python Training

Among the most popular methods of learning Python, online courses and certificates offer a host of benefits. First, they’re live and interactive, providing hands-on experience in a dynamic learning environment. Expert instructors give you all the materials you need and can give real-time answers to all your questions, and you can learn from the comfort of your home or office. One potential drawback to online learning may be a slightly lower level of engagement for students who like to be in an actual classroom surrounded by their peers.

As for live online training options that include Python, you’ll find a variety of them using Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me search tool. Noble hosts many of these at its Madison Avenue campus in New York City, but if you can’t attend in person, you can catch them live online through teleconferencing. Consider the following options that emphasize Python or include it as part of a broader curriculum:

• Data Science Certificate - One of Noble’s most popular programs, this course includes Python training as part of a more comprehensive data science curriculum and can be completed in three weeks full-time or three months part-time. Here you can learn Python fundamentals like database analysis, automation, and formatting. You’ll also master other topics like SQL and machine learning.
• Python for Data Science Bootcamp - This immersive bootcamp covers topics like Boolean Operations, linear regression, and data visualization and can be completed in 30 hours. Students can save by taking this bootcamp as part of the Data Science Certificate, FinTech Bootcamp, or Data Analytics Certificate.
• FinTech Bootcamp - Students looking to train in financial analysis, business analysis, or machine learning models can get their Python training as part of this intensive program. The FinTech Bootcamp is open to beginners, but applicants should be familiar with finance concepts like net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR).

For other virtual Python programs, check out the Python Intro from Ziggourat Formation, Practical Programming’s Python for Data Science Immersive, or the Introductory Python course from NYC Data Science Academy.

On-Demand Classes

Using Noble Desktop’s search tool, you’ll find a variety of on-demand Python classes that take hours or days to complete. Some are subscription-based, others require a fee, and a few are free of charge. Course providers include Noble, Skillsoft, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning.

Several of these on-demand classes offer training for students who are altogether new to Python programming. These include:

• Introduction to Python courses from DataCamp and Cloud Academy
• Exchanging Excel for Python from Noble Desktop
• Beginning Python from Treehouse
• Python Tutorial for Beginners from Simplilearn

If you plan to start learning Python through one or more on-demand courses, you may want to have a plan already in place for how you’ll apply the knowledge you gain. For example, the Python for Developers class from Skillsoft might be the best option if you want to train as a Web Developer or Python Developer.

Whether you choose a one-hour tutorial like Noble’s Making a Twitter Bot in Python or a lengthier course like Codeacademy’s 25-hour Learn Python 3, an on-demand program can be an excellent place to start with this essential programming language.

Free Intro Courses & Tutorials

Whether you’re not ready to commit to a full-length bootcamp or certificate program or seeking an overview of Python before diving in, you might want to start learning about Python for free online. In Noble Desktop’s free Intro to Python Fundamentals seminar, you’ll learn how to install this popular programming language, how to get started, and essential related subjects like the Anaconda platform, Jupyter Notebook, and how to run Python in Terminal. Once you have that foundation under your belt, you may be able to take the next step with a Data Science Certificate or Python Developer Certificate.

Other free online courses include Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose from Princeton University; Data Processing Using Python from Nanjing University; and the University of Toronto’s Learn to Program: The Fundamentals.

Read about more free Python videos and online tutorials.

Comparing Online Learning with In-Person Learning

Learning in-person or live online via teleconferencing are the two most popular methods of Python training. Some Python beginners prefer the experience of a traditional in-person classroom, but others prefer to take classes from the comfort of home or office. Below are a few factors to consider when comparing and contrasting live online coursework with in-person programs.

Many students feel that the experience of learning in a classroom benefits them more than any other alternative. The ability to see and hear fellow students, in-person engagement with an instructor, and the built-in lack of distractions from family members or pets all support the strength of face-to-face training. Learning in a classroom also means not having to use your own equipment, so if there’s a technical issue, the instructor can assist students with it.

Courses offered live online have their own set of advantages and drawbacks. Some people simply want to learn in their home or office and emphasize the benefit of avoiding a commute, looking for parking, or finding a class location. Students on the more extroverted side may strongly prefer in-person courses. In contrast, those with a more introverted personality may benefit from training without the distraction of others in the room.

Either can prove ideal but live training, either online or in a classroom, clearly offers benefits beyond those of on-demand or pre-recorded seminars and tutorials. While there’s no perfect solution for everyone, it’s essential to consider these points. Whichever you choose, consider your preferences and learning style when looking for the right Python program.

Tips to Succeed when Learning Python Online

Creating a schedule for yourself that works, self-discipline, and setting and achieving manageable goals are all essential components of learning online. Whereas in-person classes may emphasize accountability, if you have to (or prefer to) get your Python programming education online, you need to have a plan for your success.

The following tips can help you get the most out of your online experience, but it is by no means all-inclusive. You might feel like part of the group during class, but when those computers sign off, you’ll most likely feel like you’re alone at times. Always remember help is available—from instructors, fellow students, online tutorials, or your notes and experiences.

• Have a plan and stick with it. Among the greatest challenges for online learners is maintaining and honoring a schedule. If you enroll in a certificate program for three weeks full-time, you’ll need to immerse yourself in it for that period. Conversely, the same course taken part-time over three months will allow greater flexibility in your scheduling. Evenings and weekends may be prime study times for you, especially if you’re already a busy professional or have family obligations requiring significant time. Using a day planner or tool like iCal can keep you on track—schedule periods for working on projects, studying alone, or with a Zoom group of fellow students.

• Network with experts. While many of your classmates will not have more experience than you, others might. Your instructor likely has more Python expertise than anyone else in the class, but not necessarily more knowledge of every related topic. If you plan to get into web development and a classmate is a developer looking to transition from Java to Python, that person may prove an excellent study partner. Even a group of fellow beginners can prove the adage that two (or five) heads are better than one. Outside the classroom, consider getting additional tips and tools from professionals in programming. Python’s open-source status means its worldwide community of programmers at all levels is always a click away.

• Focus on self-care. Nearly every article on studying, especially taking online courses in addition to work or school, emphasizes self-care at some point. It may sound cliché, but the basics apply even more when you add a class, particularly an intensive bootcamp, to an already hectic schedule. Pillars of self-care include:

1. Getting enough sleep
2. Proper nutrition
3. Regular exercise
4. Health literacy
5. Knowing and respecting your own limits

Of all these, the last can be the most important. As you push through a difficult task, reach for new levels of programming comprehension, or finish a challenging project, it always pays to be healthy and rested enough to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Take care of yourself first, and you’ll be able to take care of your other commitments as well—whether you’re taking your first Python class or leveling up from your current position by taking a full-length certificate program.

Learn Python with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers multiple ways to learn Python, both in-person and online through teleconferencing. They provide Python training as an essential component of areas like data science and analytics, FinTech, cybersecurity, and web development. Their Python Programming Bootcamp offers hands-on Python training in an immersive environment. Beginners learn Python fundamentals in this 30-hour bootcamp, where participants develop project-based coding portfolios. Graduates receive a verified Certificate of Completion and can retake the course for up to a year at no additional charge.

Students can save by taking the Python Programming Bootcamp as part of Noble’s Python Developer Certificate program. The curriculum for this certificate includes a 60-hour unit on Python Web Development with Django. In this intensive course, you’ll learn about URL dispatchers and automation, along with GitHub and SQL. Attendees should have some experience with HTML and CSS before enrolling.

Additional courses featuring Python include Noble Desktop’s Python for Data Science Bootcamp, FinTech Bootcamp, and Data Science Certificate program. Students planning careers in data science, data analytics, cybersecurity, or financial analysis should consider enrolling in one of these programs to get comprehensive Python training.

Key Insights

• Companies like Google, Netflix, and Spotify use Python for a host of applications, from back end development to data analysis.
• Python is an object-oriented programming language (OOP), which means it organizes around data rather than functions.
• Python training includes in-person classes, live online coursework, on-demand classes, and free introductory courses and tutorials.
• In-person training offers advantages like:
• Greater engagement
• Trainer-provided equipment
• Ability to network in person with instructors or peers
• Live online courses require no commute, which means learning from the comfort of a personalized space.
• Both in-person and virtual live training hold advantages over free or on-demand coursework, from student accountability and engagement, to what often proves a more valuable curriculum.
• Strategies for online learning success include:
• Having a plan and sticking with it.
• Networking with more knowledgeable people.
• Prioritizing self-care.