In the fast-paced world of software engineering, staying up-to-date on the latest changes in your field and learning new skills effectively in the shortest time possible is crucial, however daunting. One method that has gained significant popularity is the utilization of crash courses.
A crash course is an intensive and condensed learning experience that provides learners with a rapid overview of a particular topic or skill over a very short period of time. In this article, I explore the benefits and drawbacks of using crash courses as a means of learning software engineering, along with practical examples and guidance for leveraging them effectively. I also explain when/why a crash course might not be the best option for you, and many more.
What is a Crash Course?
According to Wikipedia:
A crash course is an educational or research course conducted over a very short period of time.
It offers a concise and targeted learning experience, providing learners with an accelerated pathway to acquire new skills. These courses often cover the fundamental concepts, tools, and techniques necessary to get started in a specific domain, such as web development, data science, or mobile app development. It is designed to deliver a quick grasp of key concepts and practical applications, enabling learners to dive into projects or further study with a solid foundation.
Why Crash Courses?
The basic purpose of a crash course is to teach a technical or advanced concept in a very short time by focusing on the most important topics. This is usually done through a follow-along tutorial that teaches you how to use the technology to build a particular project or implement a feature.
Example: Let's say you want to learn React, a crash course on React might cover the basics of component structure, state management, and routing, by teaching you how to build a todo app.
The popularity of crash courses has been on the rise in recent years, and there are a number of reasons for this. Some of which include:
The Rise of Self-taught: One of the most significant reasons is the rising number of self-taught developers. The tech industry is now characterized by a large number of people who are looking for the quickest way to get into tech without spending years pursuing a degree. For a self-taught developer, a crash course checks all the marks as the best way to get into tech; but is it? (more on this soon).
More For Less: Another reason is that crash courses are a more affordable option than traditional college degrees, even more affordable than a comprehensive nanodegree program. Crash courses can be completed in a fraction of the time and cost a fraction of the price of a four-year degree, most are even free!
Advantages of Crash Courses
Time Efficiency: Crash courses allow learners to acquire essential knowledge in a shorter timeframe compared to comprehensive tutorials or traditional classroom settings. They are well-suited for professionals seeking to upskill quickly or individuals with limited time availability.
Focus on Key Concepts: Crash courses distill complex topics into digestible modules, focusing on the most critical concepts and skills. This targeted approach allows learners to gain a high-level understanding and identify areas for further exploration.
Practical Applications: Crash courses often include hands-on exercises and examples that reinforce learning through practical application. This approach encourages active engagement and facilitates the development of real-world skills.
Disadvantages of Watching Crash Courses
- Lack of Depth: Due to their condensed nature, crash courses do not provide the depth and comprehensive understanding that in-depth learning resources, such as books or longer tutorials, offer.
While they serve as a valuable starting point, learners may need to supplement crash courses with additional resources to thoroughly understand advanced concepts.
Limited Context: Crash courses do not cover the broader context or theory behind certain concepts, as their primary focus is immediate application. Having in-depth knowledge often requires exploring related topics beyond the scope of a crash course.
Learning Style Variance: Crash courses are designed to cater to a broad audience, which means they may not align perfectly with every individual's preferred learning style. Some learners may benefit more from comprehensive resources that provide a slower, step-by-step progression.
Avoid Crash Courses!
Now that we have talked about what a crash course is, along with its advantages and disadvantages, let's talk about when you should avoid crash courses.
Despite the benefits, for newbies, crash courses can be a mistake mainly because crash courses cover a lot of material in a short amount of time. This can be overwhelming for newbies, who may not have the foundation they need to understand the material. The side effect is that, while you go through the course and/or follow along in building a project, you get the feeling that you're learning something and you think you understand; but when the time comes for you to use the knowledge in other real-world projects, the knowledge you got from the crash course tends to fall apart.
Crash courses hold your hands while catching a fish, instead of teaching you how to fish.
One of the major reasons for this is that most crash courses, especially those that teach you how to build a single project fail to demonstrate the broad scope or different aspects/use cases of a technology. They rather focus on how to use that specific technology to build that particular project, instead of teaching you the basic principles of how it works.
A Better Approach to Crash Courses
Even with the negative side effects stated above, you can still utilize crash courses to stay on top of your game as a software engineer. As mentioned earlier, the basic purpose of a crash course is to give you a general overview of a particular topic; if your goal is to get a basic understanding of a specific topic, then a crash course is a good choice, but if your goal is to gain in-depth working knowledge, then a better alternative is either a comprehensive course which covers all the important details, or preferably the documentation (if there is).
Summary
Crash courses can serve as an invaluable tool in your learning journey, but only when used strategically. They offer a time-efficient way to gain essential knowledge, develop practical skills, and kickstart your exploration of a specific domain. However, it's crucial to understand their limitations and supplement them with deeper learning resources when necessary.
Utilize crash courses effectively by following these guidelines:
Use crash courses as a starting point to build a foundational understanding of a topic.
Combine them with hands-on projects, coding exercises, and additional learning materials to reinforce concepts.
Recognize that crash courses may not provide in-depth knowledge or contextual understanding and be prepared to explore further.
Leverage crash courses to identify areas of interest and guide your subsequent learning path.
Remember, the true power of crash courses lies in their ability to accelerate your learning journey, providing a solid starting point from which you can build your expertise and continue to grow as a software engineer.
My personal recommendation is that, if you're a newbie, you should take all the time and resources necessary to gain a basic understanding of the field/topic instead of rushing your learning process with crash courses.
A good crash course can provide you with a basic overview and help you get started with any topic, especially if you are familiar with a related topic(s). However, it's not enough to teach you all you need to learn in a specific domain. The bottom line is this:
As a beginner avoid tutorials that promise to teach you a programming language in two hours or less.
By employing crash courses strategically and complementing them with ongoing learning, you can unlock new opportunities and propel your software engineering career forward.
Happy learning!