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Do I need to take an actual coding course to learn coding? - sm

Posted: Feb 26, 2014

My sister is taking an online coding course and complains that there is no real "teaching," that she's basically just doing the work in the work book and entering answers online, then taking an online chapter test. This makes me wonder about the necessity of signing up for an actual course. I would like to learn how to code, but to me, without any actual instruction, what's the purpose of signing up for one of these online courses?

clarification - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
I should clarify - I've seen workbooks/text books with answers and was wondering if that is sufficient to teach myself coding, so to speak. Given everything I have heard about at least one online coding course, as far as no instruction (as in my original post) being given, I'm wondering if this is a possibility.

I've tried teaching myself with books, but - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
it didn't work and I failed the exams. I had so many questions and no one to answer my questions. This made me more and more lost as each chapter came in the book. Coding is such a difficult thing to learn on your own. You really need an experienced teacher to guide you, help you, answer your questions and give you feedback. I really do not recommend learning coding on your own.

Thoughts on that - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
It truly is very difficult to teach Jim,yourself to code. There are always problems like errors in answer keys, which make things difficult, but there is also the fact that the way it LOOKS like , do it isn't actually the way you do it. Get off on the wrong foot and you have a problem. N990oÃ´

For instance, there are these instructions that tell you to do x, then y, then z. Only, almost nobody sees them as really meaning exactly that. Most people just kind of hunt around all over and make a big, important-sounding Decision, never realizing it is wrong.

Another thing is in the way one code set is written. There are semicolons in there that mean something really important. Miss that and you will flounder. Nearly everyone misses it.. They just think they are some kind of punctuation.

You have the books, so give it a try.

good advice...thanks - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I really think I would do best in a classroom environment. Thanks for your help. :-)

Careful about looking for a "classroom" - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
I warned about instructorless programs, but never said to find a "classroom."

Right now, we see a lot of students who sign up for what they think are a traditional "classroom," only to find that they are not. Be careful that you don't end up in an online, virtually instructorless program offered by a school that you think has "classrooms." The majority of colleges and online schools now teach classes in programs that are totally online, with "instructors" who are nearly invisible. There are no lectures, no direct commuication, no working problems in a group, nothing like you think they are going to be. They just plop the same online teaching modules on the net and collect your tuition, while you fend for yourself. Even the grading is done by computer. Your friend's experience is the norm now for everything from math to anatomy.

You are going to have to do the work of teaching/learning yourself no matter what, regardless of what type of program you choose. Just try to find a program that has certified working, experienced coders who can answer your questions.

If you have a local AAPC chapter in your area, see if they offer the AAPC coding course locally. They ARE usually taught in a classroom environment. AAPC licenses the instructors.

AAPC coding course - is how I passed my exam

[ In Reply To ..]
I completed AAPC's coding course and passed my certification exam because of it. I had an instructor assigned to me, they were really helpful when I got stumped and no question is a silly question. At the completion of each chapter, incorrect answers are explained and I either emailed or phoned my instructor. I DID NOT go on to the next chapter until I understood the chapter I was working on.

AAPC coding course time frame - luvtotype

[ In Reply To ..]
On AAPC's website, it says that you have four months to complete their CPC course or else you can ask for monthly extensions. Is it possible to complete it in four months?

It took me six months to complete the - AAPC course

[ In Reply To ..]
I paid for two extra months at $29.95 each to review what I had trouble with and to prep for the exam. I could have done it in four months. It was a lot to learn, even as an MT. I asked a lot of questions too, just wanted to get my money's worth!

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