Posted by In today’s fast-paced tech landscape, staying ahead requires continuous learning and upgrading your skills, especially in tech courses. Fortunately, online courses offer an accessible gateway to acquiring new knowledge and mastering cutting-edge technologies. The best online tech courses provide the primary education you need to enter the tech world. Whether aiming to boost your programming expertise, delve into data science, explore cybersecurity, or venture into artificial intelligence, there’s a course tailored to your aspirations.
Many find it difficult to finish these courses, while others may have believed it was a dream that would never come true. In this guide, however, we’ll explore the top online courses that offer a blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, allowing you to upgrade your tech skills from the comfort of your home. Let’s embark on your path to success and discover the transformative power of online education.
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1. Python Programming
Python is an open-source and high-level programming language designed by Guido van Rossum. It is one of the most widely used programming languages and is employed in many other fields, including machine learning and data science. Python was released in 1991; this programming language’s design philosophy aims at code readability, which is why it’s one of the easiest languages to learn.
If you’re interested in learning Python programming, here are some steps and resources to get started
- Familiarize yourself with basic programming concepts like variables, data types, loops, and conditionals.
- Understand the syntax of Python, which is known for its readability and simplicity.
- Use coding platforms like Leetcode and HackerRank to solve Python coding challenges.
- Read beginner-friendly books that cover Python fundamentals and projects.
Places to Learn
Best online platforms to learn and perfect Python programming include
Codecademy
Codecademy offers interactive Python online tech courses suitable for beginners. The beginner’s course consists of several classes, usually up to 3 months before completion, and comes with a certificate.
Following a theoretical introduction, they instruct students to use the concepts to develop online Python programs. They address Syntax in Python, Python output in the form of strings, and How to write programs using control and conditional flow.
Coursera and edX
Platforms like Coursera and edX offer Python courses from universities, ranging from beginner to advanced.
Cisco
Ten weeks are allotted for the course, and you will be awarded a Cisco Networking Academy certificate of completion. You don’t need any prior experience or credentials to enroll.
2. Web Development
Web Development refers to creating websites or web applications for the Internet. It typically refers to the primary non-design elements of creating websites among web professionals: composing of coding and markup.
It involves a combination of programming, design, and multimedia skills to build and maintain a website. Web developers use various programming languages (such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc.) to create structure, layout, and interactivity on web pages. There are two main categories of web development:
Front-end Development
Front-end developers focus on the user interface and user experience of a website. They work on the visual aspects of a website that users interact with directly, including layout, design, and interactivity. Front-end developers use technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create responsive and visually appealing websites.
Back-end Development
Back-end developers work behind the scenes and are responsible for server-side operations. They deal with databases, servers, applications, and security. Back-end developers use languages like Python and Ruby and frameworks like Node.js and Django to build the logic and functionality that power the website.
In addition to front-end and back-end development, there is also full-stack development, where developers are proficient in both front-end and back-end technologies, allowing them to work on the entire web development process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started with web development:
- Familiarize yourself with HTML (HyperText Markup Language) for structuring web content.
- Learn CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) for styling HTML elements and creating visually appealing web pages.
- Understand JavaScript for adding interactivity and dynamic behavior to websites.
- Understand responsive web design principles using CSS media queries to ensure your websites look good on various devices and screen sizes.
Places to Learn
Places to learn Web Development includes:
Coursera
Coursera is an excellent option if you want to learn Web Development. With over 1000 courses and experts from the most prestigious schools, they teach courses covering everything concerning web development. It’s an excellent way to start up or boost your career in tech when you take one of their available classes.
Udemy
Web Development classes are available on Udemy at all skill levels, from beginner to expert. You have lifetime access to the courses and can learn at your own speed. They offer up to 204,000 online video courses, and new ones are added every month.
3. Cybersecurity Courses
Cybersecurity is a critical field that protects computer systems, networks, and data from various cyber threats. It protects computer systems, networks, and data from theft, damage, or unauthorized access.
It encompasses a variety of technologies, processes, and practices designed to safeguard digital information and ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Cybersecurity is crucial in today’s digital age, where businesses, governments, and individuals rely heavily on technology.
Here are some types of cybersecurity threats
- Malware is software designed to harm or exploit computer systems, including viruses, ransomware, and spyware.
- Phishing refers to fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information by posing as a trustworthy entity.
- Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks overload a target system with a flood of internet traffic to disrupt its normal functioning.
- Man-in-the-middle (MitM) Attacks are the interception of communication between two parties to eavesdrop or manipulate the data being exchanged.
Places to Learn
Various online platforms and institutions offer cybersecurity online tech courses and certifications, such as CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).
These online tech courses cover topics like network security, cryptography, risk management, and ethical hacking techniques, providing a solid foundation for a career in cybersecurity. For example:
Coursera
Whether you’re just starting out or already have some experience, you can take various cybersecurity courses on Coursera. Take the next step in your professional journey and enroll in a Cybersecurity course today. Beginner’s classes usually take 3 to 6 months to complete, and it comes with a certificate,
Remember that cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field, so continuous learning and hands-on practice are crucial. Ethical behavior and a robust code of ethics are paramount in this field. Always respect privacy and legal boundaries while practicing cybersecurity techniques. Good luck with your cybersecurity journey!
4. Cisco Certified Network Associate CCNA
CCNA is a popular IT certification provided by Cisco. CCNA validates your skills and knowledge in networking and is highly regarded in the IT industry. You’ll learn networking basics, from network fundamentals and technologies to IP addressing principles and structure, ethernet concepts, and network application communications.
This course is meant to equip you with several features, such as:
- Ability to describe the range of network technologies in current use
- Experiment with a practical networking environment
- Design a simple network addressing scheme
- Application of a range of networking concepts
Places to Learn
We do not recommend this course for a beginner simply because it is highly advanced. However, several introductory classes to Networks can help prepare you for CCNA. These courses can be accessed on numerous online leanrning platforms offering CCNA courses to help you prepare for the certification exam and enhance your networking skills.
Cisco
You can learn this course on Cisco. It takes about 19 weeks to complete the introductory aspect of networking. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate and digital badge from Cisco Networking Academy.
By passing the Cisco final course-based assessment in all three micro-credentials in this pathway, each with 70% or higher on the first attempt, you’ll get a 50% discount on the optional Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam.
5. JavaScript
JavaScript is a versatile and widely used programming language primarily known for its role in web development. It enables interactive and dynamic website features, making it an essential technology for front-end and back-end web development.
Learning JavaScript is a great starting point for anyone interested in web development and provides a foundation for exploring various frameworks and technologies within the JavaScript ecosystem. It allows you to create interactive elements on web pages, enhancing user engagement and experience.
Here’s an overview of key concepts and features in JavaScript.
Variables and Data Types
Variables are used to store data values. JavaScript has dynamic typing, meaning you don’t need to specify the data type of a variable. Data types include numbers, strings, booleans, objects, arrays, and functions.
Control Structures
JavaScript supports if statements, loops (for, while, do-while), and switch words for flow control in your programs.
Functions
Functions are blocks of reusable code. JavaScript functions can be assigned to variables, passed as arguments, and returned from other functions. JavaScript supports both function declarations and anonymous functions (function expressions).
Places to Learn
Various online platforms and institutions are offering JavaScript courses:
EdX
In one of the top IT courses, you will learn crucial Java concepts like functional abstraction, the OOP paradigm, and application programming interfaces (APIs). With the help of the numerous examples and case studies in this introductory course, you can execute basic programs alone.
6. Software Development
Software Development is the process of designing, programming, testing, and maintaining software applications. It involves the development of computer programs and applications that can perform specific tasks on various devices and platforms.
Software developers write code in programming languages to create applications ranging from mobile and desktop software to embedded systems and web applications. The software development process includes several stages: planning, designing, coding, testing, and deployment.
Here are the critical steps involved in software development:
- Defining the project’s scope, outlining requirements, setting goals, and creating a development plan.
- Creating the architecture and user interface of the software based on the project requirements.
- Writing code using programming languages to develop the software based on the design specifications.
- Conducting various tests to identify and fix bugs, ensuring the software functions as intended.
- Deployment of the software includes releasing the software for public use or within a specific organization.
- Maintenance, which includes fixing bugs and improvements to the software functionality.
Places to Learn
Various online platforms and institutions are offering Software Development courses and they include:
EdX
Free, but comes with a Verified Certificate for $75. Time for completion ranges from 3 Weeks (3 to 6 hours per week) or more. At edX, you will get a verified certificate upon completion.
Remember, consistent practice, building projects, and seeking feedback are essential for becoming proficient in software development.
7. AngularJS
AngularJS is a JavaScript-based open-source front-end web application framework. Google and a community of developers maintain it. AngularJS is designed to make both the development and testing of such applications more accessible by providing a framework for components commonly used in rich internet applications.
AngularJS is a highly sought-after and in-demand skill set that can help you land a career or advance in your current position. When you take this course from either of the platforms listed below, the fundamental knowledge required to create AngularJS applications will be taught to you.
You will gain proficiency with AngularJS terms like transclusion, services, directives, and dependency injection. Along with designing new services and creating custom directives, you will learn about two-way binding and complete a single-page application for weather prediction.
Here are some key features and concepts associated with AngularJS:
- AngularJS provides two-way data binding between the model and the view. This means that changes in the model automatically update the view, and vice versa, without requiring explicit DOM manipulation.
- AngularJS has a built-in dependency injection subsystem that helps developers manage and load different parts of an application.
- AngularJS uses templates (written in HTML with additional AngularJS-specific markup) to define the application’s user interface.
Places to Learn
You can develop your tech skills by applying for various AngularJS courses on these online platforms and institutions.
Udemy
This course focuses on the basics of AngularJS. However, on Udemy, you get to develop a thorough knowledge of how this course works and how to use it to build flexible user interfaces with the familiarity of Javascript.
Pluralsight
You will learn how to build a form-based customer management app from scratch in Angular. The course will also offer you a variety of exercises to test your understanding of concepts.
8. DevOps Courses
DevOps is a set of practices and cultural philosophies that aim to improve collaboration and communication between software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) teams. This course aims to shorten the software development lifecycle, increase the frequency of software releases, and improve the quality and reliability of software applications. DevOps practices involve automation, collaboration, continuous integration, continuous delivery, and monitoring throughout the software development and delivery process.
It’s great to develop your tech skills in DevOps. According to Forbes, over 600,000 DevOps positions are open in North America alone. DevOps and additional skills are expected to grow by at least 17% in the following year. Here are the key aspects of DevOps:
- this online tech course emphasizes the importance of collaboration and communication between development, operations, and other stakeholders involved in the software delivery process. This collaborative approach helps in breaking down silos and improving efficiency.
- Automation plays a crucial role in DevOps. It automates repetitive tasks such as code building, testing, deployment, and infrastructure provisioning.
- DevOps teams continuously monitor applications and infrastructure in real-time. Monitoring helps in identifying performance issues, errors, and other problems promptly.
Places to Learn
Online platforms that offer DevOps courses include:
Udacity
This course takes approximately three weeks or more to complete. It will equip you with the knowledge and skills about the DevOps process and an overview of the many system designs currently used to solve different problems.
You will learn about the instruments that facilitate continuous integration and delivery workflows, the measurement, and its benefits for business and IT.
Coursera
Coursera hosts multiple top online tech courses from universities and organizations worldwide. You can find DevOps-related courses from institutions like the University of Virginia and Google Cloud. These courses cover various aspects of DevOps practices.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to experiment with different coding resources to create a network automation solution. Also, evaluate different coding methodologies to ensure a secure implementation.
9. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Machine Learning
It provides a robust set of services and tools for machine learning, enabling developers and data scientists to build, train, and deploy machine learning models at scale. AWS Machine Learning allows developers to discover patterns in end-user data through algorithms and construct mathematical models to create and implement predictive applications.
A key component of AWS Machine Learning is the Amazon SageMaker. It is a fully managed service that allows every developer and data scientist to quickly build, train, automate, and deploy machine learning (ML) models using prebuilt or custom algorithms.
Places to Learn
If you want to learn AWS machine learning, several online courses can help you gain practical skills and knowledge. Here are a few popular ones:
Coursera — AWS Machine Learning Foundations
Offered by AWS, this top online tech course covers the fundamental concepts of machine learning and provides hands-on labs using AWS services.
Udacity — Introduction to Machine Learning with TensorFlow on GCP
Although this course focuses on the Google Cloud Platform, it provides a strong foundation in machine learning concepts using TensorFlow, which also applies to AWS.
Udemy — AWS Machine Learning: A Complete Guide
This course covers various AWS machine learning services, providing practical examples and real-world applications.
10. App Development
Application Development refers to creating software applications that run on various devices and platforms, such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and embedded systems.
This online tech course will teach you the tools, techniques, and concepts required to build a basic app. It will familiarize you with the Swift programming language and teach you how to utilize the Apple developer and Playstore tools to build an app.
Constructing functional and user-friendly applications involves several stages, including planning, designing, coding, testing, and deploying. Here’s an overview of the application development process:
Planning
It should consist of the purpose and goals of the application. Understand the problem it solves and the target audience. You then analyze the market, identify competitors, and understand user needs and preferences.
Design
The design aspect should include how you want the application’s user interface to be. Design the layout, navigation, and visual elements to enhance user experience.
Development
Write the application’s source code using programming languages like Java, Python, JavaScript, Swift, etc. Follow coding best practices and coding standards.
Testing
Perform various types of testing, including functional, integration, performance, and security testing, to identify and resolve defects. Do well to gather feedback for final improvements.
Deployment
Deploy the application to production servers or app stores for public access. Monitor the deployment process for any issues.
Maintenance and Updates
Promptly Address problems and bugs promptly to maintain a smooth user experience and continuously improve the application by adding new features, optimizing performance, and enhancing user interfaces.
Places to Learn
Online platforms to develop your app development are as follows:
EdX
This course will teach you the tools, techniques, and concepts required to build an app.
Coursera
IOS App Development with Swift Specialization
Before enrolling in any class, consider checking the course content, reviews, and qualifications of the instructors. Remember that consistent practice and hands-on coding are crucial for mastering app development skills.
What Is the Best Tech Course to Learn?
The best tech course solely depends on your interest. However, it’s been recorded that several people prefer to learn lessons like web development, computer science, and software development.
A degree in these online tech courses can help you code and understand different programming languages.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the world of technology is constantly evolving, and staying relevant in your field demands continuous learning. The online tech courses mentioned above are not just educational platforms; they are pathways to your success in the tech industry.
By enrolling in these courses, you’re not merely upgrading your skills but investing in your future, opening doors to new opportunities, and equipping yourself with the tools needed to thrive in a competitive digital landscape.