When comparing Code School vs NEXT Academy, the Slant community recommends Code School for most people. In the question“What are the best websites to learn to code?” Code School is ranked 6th while NEXT Academy is ranked 35th. The most important reason people chose Code School is:
After each video, there are a series of challenges that give you a chance to apply what you just learned. The great thing about these challenges are that they force you to think through a problem, and use the new skills to solve it. It's not just regurgitating facts; it requires some effort.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Practice the code after each video
After each video, there are a series of challenges that give you a chance to apply what you just learned. The great thing about these challenges are that they force you to think through a problem, and use the new skills to solve it. It's not just regurgitating facts; it requires some effort.
Pro Paths for learning different skills
While you can jump into any video you like, there is also the option to follow a path for what you are wanting to learn. These give a nice direction if you are wanting to improve on a particular area and guide you into what to do next. They currently offer Ruby, Javascript, HTML/CSS, and iOS.
Pro Videos show how to build an app in real time
Soup to Bits is a series of videos that shows a developer creating an app from scratch in real time. It's easy to pause a video and follow along with the developer.
Pro Video tutorials
Videos give an overview of the course/lesson plan before a single line of code is written. This gives context and a general understanding of what is possible and how teaching will be approached.
Pro Fun and engaging teaching style
The instructors often use humour throughout the videos while letting their passion for the topic show.
Pro In-depth courses
Code School is not just for beginners to programming, but provides plenty of intermediate and advanced courses for students as their skills grow.
Pro Has an in-person training mode
You can enroll in the Blended Learning Platform where you can meet with your mentor face to face. This is best for students who learn more with one-on-one mentoring.
Pro Offers certificates of achievement after each course
Pro Practice the code after each video
After each video, you will be given the chance to build projects and do exercises to test what you have learned.
Pro Human review and feedback
Students will get actual feedback from mentors on coding projects/exercises.
Pro Bite-sized lessons
Next Academy doesn't overwhelm beginners with information. The lessons are bite-sized, and video lectures/tutorials are between 2-5mins long.
Cons
Con Acquired by Pluralsight
Con Videos are of a tone that some people cannot stand
Con Requires paying to complete courses
Although the beginning of each course is free and you can see if you are interested in pursuing it, to complete the course you must pay.
Con A bit too basic
There is not a lot of advanced content.
Con Requires your commitment and time
Next Academy's courses are not self-paced and follow a set of schedule.
Con Paid
Most full-tme courses are around US $2000.
