Learning to code has become an essential skill in today’s digital world. With many resources available online, anyone can start learning to code easily. However, not all learning methods are effective. Some can even be counterproductive. In this post, we’ll discuss a common mistake many beginners make by relying too heavily on guided project tutorials.
Guided project tutorials are very popular. These kinds of tutorials provide step-by-step instructions on how to build specific projects. While they might seem like an easy and quick way to learn coding, they come with significant side effects.
- Lack of Critical Thinking Guided tutorials often require little to no critical thinking. Learners follow instructions without understanding the “why” and “how” behind each step. This learning approach prevents them from developing a deep understanding of coding concepts and how to apply them.
- Minimal Problem-Solving Real-world coding involves facing challenges and finding solutions. You will learn more when you run into unique coding problems and find your way out. This is usually not the case with guided tutorials.
- False Sense of Accomplishment Completing a guided tutorial might give a sense of achievement without truly understanding the underlying concepts. This false sense of accomplishment can be misleading as you might struggle to start your own projects without step-by-step guidance.
- Start with Fundamentals Mastering the basics of programming languages is crucial. Understanding variables, loops, conditionals, and data structures lays a strong foundation.
- Build Your Own Projects Coming up with your own project ideas and starting from scratch helps in understanding the complete process. This approach encourages creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Your product ideas must not be unique but it should be something that is of interest to you. This will help you to start and finish the project
- Embrace Getting Stuck Getting stuck is a crucial part of learning. When you face obstacles, you are forced to think critically and find solutions. Strategies for overcoming obstacles include researching, asking for help from communities, and debugging your code.
- Set Small, Achievable Goals Break down projects into manageable tasks. This helps in maintaining motivation and tracking progress.
- Document Your Learning Keep a journal or blog about your learning journey. Documenting your progress helps you retain more knowledge, reflect on what you have learned
Guided project tutorials can be a double-edged sword. While they can provide a quick start, they often hinder deeper understanding and independent problem-solving skills. By focusing on the fundamentals, building your own projects, and embracing challenges, you can develop a more effective and fulfilling coding journey.
