top | item 7604149

Ask HN: Want help selecting a good course

4 points| brandimage | 12 years ago

I am a marketing guy planning a career switch. I want to learn how to build web apps using python and django. Not sure what online courses are available which teach Python and Django. Also, what should I look for in the following while selecting a course - curriculum, instructors, mentor support? Your guidance will be very helpful. Thanks!

3 comments

pincubator|12 years ago

I think the best way to learn a programming language is to learn it yourself. Imho, these kind of things don't work well with courses; they often restrict the way you think.

For Python, you can start from Learn Python the Hard Way (free) http://learnpythonthehardway.org/book/

After you finish this, start working on a small project and learn other things on the way.

For mentor support; I think Stackoverflow is the perfect source to ask questions and get feedback (but remember to search before asking a question).

brandimage|12 years ago

Thanks for the suggestions. My biggest problem is motivation and support. Maybe I should have been more clear with my request - I think a 1:1 mentor support is exactly the kind of accountability I need.