How to learn to

CODEBY HEATHER TOVEY

68% of Canadians

MAke New Year’s resolutions

Toronto Star Library, 2013

19% of Canadians

Keep their resolutions

Toronto Star Library, 2013

I want you to

Succeed at learning to code.

7 tips for

LEARNING how to code

1Find your

MOTIVATION

Why are you

LEARNING how to code?

Solve a problem

Choose a project that SPARKS

your interest

2Choose the right LANGUAGE

Ruby?Python?

Node?

PHP?

3Create a

LEARNING ROADMAP

No direction Leads to frustration

Direction Leads to understanding

Look through different

Roadmaps to create your own syllabus.

4Understand your LEARNING STYLE

How do you

CHOOSE learning resources?

Take the

VARK

V A R K inesthetic

isualuralead/write

0

4

8

12

16

Great Really Great ZOMG AMAZING!

Visual

How great is this Presentation?

Find resources that are visually appealing and that use graphs and diagrams

Read/WriteUse books, blog posts, and lists to break down material

Find resources that use case studies, examples, and demonstrations. And learn through trial and error.

Kinesthetic

Auditory Learn through group discussions, lecture series, and reading out loud.

The VARK can Help

you find resources.

5Set

SMART goals

SMART ime-bound

pecificeasurablettainableelevant

Learn to

code

A non-SMART goal:

I will build a one-page personal website to showcase my future portfolio within six months.

SPECIFIC

I will build a one-page personal website to showcase my future portfolio.

SPECIFIC

I will build a one-page personal website to showcase my future portfolio within six months.

Measurable

I will build a one-page personal website to showcase my future portfolio.

SPECIFIC

I will build a one-page personal website to showcase my future portfolio within six months.

Attainable

I will build a one-page personal website to showcase my future portfolio.

SPECIFIC

I will build a one-page personal website to showcase my future portfolio within six months.

Relevant

I will build a one-page personal website to showcase my future portfolio.

SPECIFIC

I will build a one-page personal website to showcase my future portfolio within six months.

Time-Bound

Make

SMARTER Goals

Evaluate and

Revise

6Test your

KNOWLEDGE

Visual Create diagrams, graphs, and infographics to test your newfound knowledge.

Aural Create a video blog, give a talk (at Hack Night!), or mentor at workshops.

Read/Write Write blog posts and tutorials to test your knowledge.

Kinesthetic Create multiple mini-projects around the same concept.

If you have trouble

explaining a concept, go back and relearn it.

7Embrace the

CONFUSION

Dr. Rhett Allain“The path of learning goes through the swamp of confusion.”

Swamp of confusion

Mountain of Understanding

You

Dr. Sidney D’MelloConfusion is important to the learning process. You think more deeply about the material, and that allows you to understand it better.

Get comfortable with

GOOGle

Learn to Code: Your Journey

Tip #1

Find your Motivation

Learn to Code: Your Journey

Tip #2

Choose the right Language

Learn to Code: Your Journey

Tip #3

Create a Learning Roadmap

Learn to Code: Your Journey

Tip #4

Understand your Learning Style

Learn to Code: Your Journey

Tip #5

Set SMART goals

Learn to Code: Your Journey

Tip #6

Test your knowledge

Learn to Code: Your Journey

Tip #7

Embrace the Confusion

Learn to Code: Your Journey

Learn to Code: Your Journey

Thank you!

Have FUN

http://thechicgeek.ca/7-tips-for-learning-how-to-code