Let’s Get Real: The Best In-Person Coding Bootcamp

The Best In-Person Coding Bootcamps

When it comes to getting an education, we all learn a little differently. Few things put that reality so squarely under a microscope as the pandemic, as teachers and students navigated the challenges of remote, hybrid, and return to in-person learning. For those of us who learn better in person, the return has surely been welcomed. More on that in a moment.

(If you live in Utah near Lehi you can skip ahead and find your in-person bootcamp.)

One tangible benefit of the last few years was the rapid adoption and accompanying improvement of remote or online and hybrid learning environments. 

It’s funny to think about, but remote learning actually has been around for a long time. Longer, it turns out, than many realize. Correspondence courses in the eighteenth and nineteenth century enabled learners to tackle subjects via lessons sent back and forth through the mail—maybe not the best user experience! Remote learning now leverages continuously improving technology to deliver an experience with, shall we say, much more instant results than the mail.

Today, remote, online learning opportunities remain popular, but they leave out a couple of important considerations about in-person coding bootcamps:

1. Many students know they do better in person
2. Many learning styles will benefit from in-person instruction
3. For many, in-person coding bootcamps will activate a high level of collaboration, hands-on work, and networking.

In this article we’ll explore a few learning styles, a few reasons to attend coding bootcamp, and a few reasons why you might want to join an in-person coding bootcamp.

Learning Styles and the Benefits of In-Person Instruction

Throughout much of history, a one-size-fits-all approach to education expected all students to fit the mold without regard for their learning style, interests, or other individual characteristics. 

Indeed, coding bootcamps may meet the needs and interests of such “non-traditional” students. The benefits of attending a coding bootcamp like Devmountain are its project-based, hands-on learning, and shorter courses to help students skill up fast. In-person learning can enhance these benefits for many students.

Before discussing the specific benefits of the best in-person coding bootcamps, it’s worth taking a look at learning styles.

Here are four types of learners and how in-person instruction can appeal to your needs:

1. Visual Learners: Visual learners typically learn best through pictures, diagrams, videos, and other visual aids. In-person instruction can appeal to visual learners because it provides the opportunity to see and interact with visual aids in real-time and in the context of the learning environment. Students working at home who only have a single laptop or monitor are sometimes challenged to toggle between presentation, coding, and notes.
2. Auditory Learners: Auditory learners often learn best by listening to lectures, discussions, and audio recordings. In-person instruction can benefit auditory learners because it allows them to hear and participate in discussions and lectures without the filter or occasional pitfalls of technology, sometimes better ensuring that you’re not missing important details.
3. Kinesthetic/Tactile Learners: Kinesthetic/tactile learners learn best through hands-on activities, movement, and touch. In-person instruction can benefit kinesthetic/tactile learners because it is multisensory, providing the opportunity to physically engage with materials and interact with others, including demonstrating the material to better learn or teaching others what you have learned
4. Reading/Writing Learners: Reading/writing learners learn best through reading and writing. In-person instruction may not necessarily benefit reading/writing learners more than remote learning, but it can provide the opportunity for them to interact with written materials, read and learn from other students in the cohort in a comfortable learning environment, and receive real-time feedback on work in progress.

Overall, all learning styles can benefit from in-person instruction in various ways. In-person instruction can provide the opportunity for real-time interaction, feedback, and engagement with materials and other learners.

Remote and online learning can offer certain benefits, such as the flexibility to learn at one’s own pace and the ability to access a wider range of resources and experts but, for many learners, nothing beats the in-person experience. Ultimately, the effectiveness of a particular mode of learning may depend on the individual learner’s preferences and needs.

Why Attend an In-Person Coding Bootcamp?

Now that we have looked at some learning styles, how might some of that play out in real life at an in-person coding bootcamp?

Here are eight benefits of attending the best in-person coding bootcamps:

1. Enhanced Social Interaction: In-person learning at a coding bootcamp provides a chance to have face-to-face interactions with peers and instructors, creating space for greater bonding and learning through discussions, debates, and project collaborations. Real instructors, real relationships. This will be true both for Devmountain coding bootcamps Utah and for coding bootcamps Dallas.
2. Real-Time Feedback: In-person learning at a coding bootcamp allows you to get instant or prompt feedback from instructors and mentors, leading to faster improvements in your coding skills. In-person cues and visual signals can support the feedback environment as well, while some may find the uncertainty of chat tools frustrating.
3. A Sense of Community: In-person learning at a coding bootcamp offers an opportunity to become part of a community of coders and a committed education team, giving you a chance to build lifelong relationships with like-minded individuals. While all students in a cohort at Devmountain will have access to this community, it can be much easier for some learners to create a connection with someone in person rather than virtually.
4. Access to More Resources: In-person learning at a coding bootcamp can provide access to more resources, including physical resources such as a lending library and computer equipment, and direct access to more experienced professionals who can help you get the most out of your learning experience.
5. More Accountability: In-person learning at a coding bootcamp provides more accountability, which can help you stay motivated and on track with your goals. You will be able to keep up with assignments and deadlines more easily and get help with any challenges you may face.
6. More Effective Collaboration: In-person learning at a coding bootcamp allows for more effective collaboration between students, as it can be easier to coordinate schedules, work on group projects, and share ideas and insights. Pair programming can be particularly effective for some learners, especially as it can mimic real-world word and expectations.
7. Improved Communication Skills: In-person learning at a coding bootcamp can help improve your communication skills, as you will be interacting with others face-to-face, allowing you to practice your communication skills and get feedback on your performance. Sometimes called “soft skills,” communication and collaboration are really leadership skills with many practical benefits from the job hunt on into a career.
8. Better Overall Learning Experience: In-person learning at a coding bootcamp can provide a better overall learning experience, as it offers more opportunities for engagement, personalized attention, and real-time feedback than remote learning.

Where to Attend an In-Person Coding Bootcamp

Currently, Devmountain’s 13-week, in-person, full-time Web Development coding bootcamps is in Lehi, Utah, and is affordable by design to help aspiring coders pursue a career in tech. 

Real Change

As you can see, there are a lot of potential upsides to attending an in-person coding bootcamp. Regardless of whether you choose in person or online, one of the most important skills to learn at a coding bootcamp is problem solving. Coding requires a great deal of problem-solving and logical thinking. By attending a Devmountain coding bootcamp, you may sharpen these skills, making you more effective at solving complex problems in all areas of your life.

And when we say, level up, we do mean it. Many students turn to coding to pursue a career change. And with that career change comes the opportunity to make a difference. Coding skills are increasingly being used to tackle a wide range of issues and possibilities, from innovating new technologies that change how we work to improving outcomes for businesses and consumers across all industries. And coders are being tapped to help some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate change to healthcare. By attending a coding bootcamp this year, you may learn how to use your skills to make a positive impact on something that matters to you or more, you may help improve the world.

A leader in technology education since 2013, Devmountain was quick to adopt its curriculum to meet the conditions and needs of students during the pandemic and is pleased to offer both in-person and online learning options. Apply to learn more and talk to an admissions counselor.