How to Audit a Class Online – Learn from Free University Courses
The internet has revolutionized education, making it possible to access high-quality courses from top universities without ever setting foot on campus. For aspiring and experienced programmers alike, the rise of massive open online courses (MOOCs) presents a golden opportunity to gain new skills, explore cutting-edge topics, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving field – all for free.
Auditing a class means taking a course without the goal of earning formal credit or a grade. It‘s an increasingly popular option for learners who want to tap into the wealth of free educational content available online. According to Class Central, over 220 million people have enrolled in MOOCs as of 2021, a number that has grown exponentially in the past decade.
For coders and tech professionals, the benefits of auditing online courses are especially compelling. In an industry where languages, frameworks, and best practices are always changing, online learning is a key tool for keeping your skills current and expanding your knowledge base. A 2021 Stack Overflow survey found that 64% of developers learn new technologies at least once a year, with online courses being one of the most popular ways to do so.
In this guide, we‘ll explore how to make the most of auditing online classes as a programmer, with tips for finding the right courses, staying motivated, and leveraging your learning for career growth. Whether you‘re just starting to code or you‘re a seasoned dev looking to upskill, there‘s a free online course out there for you.
Why Audit an Online Programming Course?
There are many reasons to consider auditing an online course as a programmer:
Master a New Language or Framework: Perhaps you want to learn Python for data science, dive into machine learning with TensorFlow, or try your hand at web development with React. Auditing online courses lets you explore new programming languages and tools without committing to a full degree or bootcamp.
Fill Knowledge Gaps: Even experienced programmers can benefit from brushing up on computer science fundamentals like algorithms, data structures, and software design. MOOCs from universities like MIT, Stanford, and Princeton offer in-depth courses on these core topics.
Prepare for Coding Interviews: Technical interviews can be daunting, especially for programmers who are self-taught or pivoting from another field. Auditing courses on data structures and algorithms can help you feel more confident and perform your best in coding interviews.
Boost Your Portfolio: Completing an online course shows initiative and dedication to learning, traits that employers value highly. Many MOOCs also include hands-on projects that you can add to your programming portfolio to demonstrate your skills.
Explore a Specialty: Interested in a niche like game development, cybersecurity, or blockchain? Online courses let you test the waters and see if a particular domain captures your interest before investing in more intensive training.
Choosing the Right Course to Audit
The sheer number of free online courses available can be overwhelming, especially in a field as broad as programming. To find the best courses for your goals and interests, consider the following factors:
Level: Are you a beginner looking for an intro to programming course, or an experienced dev seeking advanced training? Filter courses by level to find ones that match your background.
Language/Technology: If you‘re looking to learn a specific language or tool, search for courses that focus on that topic. Keep in mind that some courses may require prerequisite knowledge, so check the description carefully.
Format: MOOCs come in a variety of formats, from self-paced courses with pre-recorded lectures to live cohort-based classes with set start and end dates. Consider which format best fits your learning style and schedule.
Instructor: Look for courses taught by experienced programmers or well-known experts in the field. Check the instructor‘s bio and read reviews from past students to get a sense of their teaching style and knowledge.
University/Platform Reputation: Courses from top universities and reputable platforms like Coursera and edX tend to have higher production values and more rigorous content. However, don‘t discount lesser-known schools or independent platforms, as they may offer hidden gems.
To give you a sense of the landscape of free online programming courses, here‘s a comparison of some popular MOOC platforms:
| Platform | Courses | University Partners | Popular Tech Subjects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursera | 5,100+ | 200+ | Python, Java, SQL, AI/ML, Cybersecurity |
| edX | 3,000+ | 160+ | Python, Java, C++, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing |
| Udemy | 185,000+ | N/A (individual instructors) | Web Development, Python, Java, AI/ML |
| Khan Academy | 1,000+ | N/A (nonprofit) | Intro to JS, HTML/CSS, SQL, Cryptography |
| MIT OpenCourseWare | 2,500+ | MIT | Python, Java, C/C++, Algorithms, AI |
Data sources: Class Central, platform websites
Of course, this is just a small sampling of the many platforms and institutions offering free online programming courses. A tool like Class Central‘s search engine can help you find courses on specific topics from a variety of providers.
Strategies for Successfully Auditing a Course
Once you‘ve chosen a course to audit, how do you ensure you get the most out of the experience? Here are some tips:
Set Goals: Having a clear idea of what you want to achieve from the course will help you stay focused. Your goal could be mastering a specific skill, building a project for your portfolio, or preparing for a certification exam.
Make a Schedule: Online courses offer flexibility, but that freedom can also make it easy to fall behind. Set aside dedicated time each week for watching lectures, completing assignments, and engaging with the course community.
Take Notes: Just like in a traditional classroom, taking notes can help you better remember and synthesize the material. Many MOOC platforms have built-in note-taking tools, or you can use an external app like Evernote or OneNote.
Do the Assignments: It‘s tempting to just watch the lecture videos and skip the homework, but actively applying what you‘ve learned is essential for mastering the concepts. Even if you‘re auditing the course, complete the assignments to the best of your ability.
Participate in the Forums: Engaging with other learners is one of the most valuable parts of taking an online course. Ask questions, share your insights, and learn from your peers in the discussion forums.
Build Projects: If the course includes a final project, use it as an opportunity to practice your new skills and create something to showcase in your portfolio. If there‘s no designated project, come up with your own way to apply what you‘ve learned, like building a small app or contributing to an open source project.
Supplement with Other Resources: An online course is a great starting point, but don‘t be afraid to explore additional resources like textbooks, coding challenges, and online communities to deepen your understanding.
Overcoming Challenges
Learning online is convenient and flexible, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Some common obstacles and how to deal with them:
Lack of Accountability: Without the structure of a traditional classroom, it can be easy to lose motivation. Find an accountability partner among your fellow course auditors, or commit to posting regular updates in the forums to keep yourself on track.
Technical Issues: Make sure you have a reliable internet connection and a computer that meets the course‘s technical requirements. If you encounter problems with the course platform, reach out to the provider‘s support team for help.
Difficulty Understanding Concepts: If you‘re struggling with a particular topic, don‘t hesitate to ask for help. Post your question in the forums, look for supplementary explanations online, or reach out to a mentor or peer for one-on-one assistance.
Time Management: It can be challenging to balance your coursework with a full-time job or other commitments. Be realistic about how much time you can devote to the course each week, and don‘t be afraid to work at your own pace.
Leveraging Audited Courses for Career Growth
Completing an online course is an accomplishment in itself, but how can you translate that learning into tangible career benefits? Here are some ideas:
Highlight Courses on Your Resume: Add the courses you‘ve audited to the education or skills section of your resume. Be sure to include the course name, platform, and a brief description of what you learned.
Share Your Coursework on GitHub: GitHub isn‘t just for storing code; it‘s also a platform for showcasing your projects and skills. Create a repository for each course you audit and include your assignments, notes, and any final projects.
Pursue Certifications: While auditing a course is free, some platforms offer the option to pay for a verified certificate upon completion. These certificates can carry weight with employers and demonstrate your mastery of the subject matter.
Network with Fellow Learners: The connections you make in a course can be just as valuable as the content itself. Connect with other learners on LinkedIn or GitHub, participate in study groups or meetups, and look for opportunities to collaborate on projects.
Apply Your Learning on the Job: Look for ways to put your new skills into practice in your current role, whether that‘s automating a manual process, proposing a new project, or sharing your knowledge with your team.
As a full-stack developer, auditing online courses has been an essential part of my own professional growth. Every time I want to learn a new language, dive into a new domain, or just brush up on my fundamentals, I turn to MOOCs to quickly get up to speed.
I‘ve used courses from platforms like Coursera and edX to learn everything from Python for data science to cloud computing with AWS. I‘ve also found university-specific offerings to be valuable, like MIT‘s course on software construction or Stanford‘s legendary machine learning class.
One of the things I love about auditing courses is the ability to learn at my own pace and on my own schedule. As a busy professional, I don‘t always have time to commit to a full-time bootcamp or degree program. But with MOOCs, I can fit learning into the nooks and crannies of my day, whether that‘s watching a lecture during my commute or doing a coding assignment on the weekends.
I also appreciate the structure and accountability that comes with taking an online course, even if I‘m just auditing. Having deadlines and a set curriculum keeps me motivated and ensures that I‘m making steady progress. And being part of a community of learners from all over the world is inspiring and helps me stay engaged with the material.
Of course, simply taking an online course isn‘t enough to become a skilled programmer. The real learning happens when you apply those concepts to real-world problems and projects. That‘s why I make it a point to implement what I‘ve learned from courses in my own code, whether that‘s experimenting with a new library in a side project or proposing a new approach at work.
I also believe in the power of continuous learning and staying curious. The field of programming is constantly evolving, and there‘s always more to discover. Auditing courses has helped me stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies while also deepening my understanding of the fundamentals.
In my experience, employers value candidates who show a passion for learning and a drive to keep growing. By auditing courses and building a strong portfolio, aspiring and experienced developers alike can demonstrate their skills and stand out in a competitive job market.
If you‘re new to coding, I recommend starting with a broad introductory course to get a feel for the basics of programming and different languages. From there, you can dive into more specialized topics that align with your interests, whether that‘s web development, data science, cybersecurity, or game design.
For experienced developers, auditing courses can be a way to explore new domains or round out your skill set. You might take a course on a trendy new framework or a niche programming language to stay current. Or you might delve into a related field like UX design or product management to bring a fresh perspective to your work.
No matter your level or goals, the key is to approach online learning with curiosity and a growth mindset. Don‘t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, ask questions, and make mistakes. The beauty of auditing courses is that you have the freedom to explore and discover at your own pace.
Embrace the Abundance of Online Learning
The rise of free online courses has opened up a world of learning opportunities for programmers at every stage of their journey. With the right strategies and mindset, auditing MOOCs can be a powerful tool for gaining new skills, exploring new domains, and advancing your career.
As you embark on your own learning journey, remember to set clear goals, engage with the course content and community, and look for ways to apply your knowledge through projects and real-world problems. And don‘t forget to celebrate your progress and share your achievements with others.
In a field as dynamic and exciting as programming, there‘s always more to learn. By embracing the abundance of free online education, you can stay curious, competitive, and passionate about your craft. So go ahead and audit that course you‘ve been eyeing – your next breakthrough is just a click away.