Alchemy University
Entering the Web 3.0 space can be challenging, especially if you don’t have any prior coding experience. But even if you’ve never written a single line of code in your life, I know just the right place to start. Alchemy University is my go-to place for acquiring the skills necessary for blockchain development.
Alchemy offers three courses, all of which are free. The first is a 3-week crash course that focuses on JavaScript fundamentals, and it’s your starting point that will provide a rock-solid foundation for your education.
Source: Alchemy University
The next in line is the Ethereum Developer Bootcamp. By enrolling in this course, you’ll master Solidity, learn how to build smart contracts from scratch, and even earn Alchemy certification upon completion. The course is beginner friendly, but you’ll still need to know a bit of JavaScript to ensure a smooth and fun learning experience. Otherwise, you’ll likely struggle, so enrolling in the JavaScript Fundamentals course is recommended before trying your luck with Solidity.
Finally, Alchemy University offers the Road to web3 course, allowing you to build 10 projects from start to finish. This course is created for experienced developers, and I wouldn’t recommend it to beginners.
All Alchemy courses and interactive and fun, and you should give them a try if you’re serious about learning the ins and outs of Web 3.0 development.
CryptoZombies
CryptoZombies is one of the largest and most popular learning platforms for blockchain development. It focuses on offering primarily Ethereum-related courses, allowing you to learn Solidity from scratch. I’d recommend CryptoZombies to those who prefer interactive learning experiences over reading dry text over and over again.
Essentially, if you decide to give CryptoZombies a try, you’ll be building a game using Solidity. The beginner course is divided into chapters, starting from the basics and transitioning into more advanced Solidity functions.
Source: CryptoZombies
Another CryptoZombies course I’d recommend to beginners is Beyond Ethereum: Explore the blockchain ecosystem, which will take you on a journey to understanding zkSync, a Layer 2 scaling solution.
All CryptoZombies courses are free and interactive, offering a truly unique introduction to coding. Of course, CryptoZombies might not be for you if you don’t have prior coding experience. Knowing a little bit of JavaScript or brushing up on your coding skills before enrolling would be of great help, so if you’re interested in CryptoZombies, it would be best to start at Alchemy University or learn the basics on YouTube.
Blockchain Basics by University at Buffalo
Before learning how to code and build Web 3.0 projects, it’s critical to understand how blockchains work. And what better way to do it than enroll in the Blockchain Basics course available at Coursera? The course covers topics such as differences between blockchains, Ethereum’s protocol, hashing, and the Consensus protocol. In addition, participants can earn a shareable certificate upon completion, meaning you can share it on LinkedIn, for example.
Photo illustration: Freepik
Blockchain Basics is an ideal course for those who want to learn at their own pace. It takes approximately 15 to 20 hours to complete this course, and the best part is that it’s completely free. This course is an excellent introduction to Web 3.0. So, even if blockchain development isn’t your cup of tea, make sure to enroll because it will provide insight into how blockchain technology works.
Are Free Courses Better Than Paid Alternatives?
Information about anything is available at our fingertips at all times. You can read the recent news, find recipes, and recommendations for your next date, learn valuable skills, and so on – the options are endless. But going on a learning quest differs significantly from soaking up random information your find online.
Learning is a rather long and exciting process, and you need available resources to ensure you fully understand the given topic. Learning independently and searching for the missing pieces that will help you complete this puzzle can be challenging, especially if you don’t know where to begin or what you need to learn.
Luckily, we can attend online courses and follow a learning roadmap to ensure we acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. But deciding on a course can be daunting, especially if you can’t choose between paid and free options.
Regardless of which course type you choose, at the end of the day, both options offer you a gateway to a learning experience. However, if you’re struggling to decide, here are some pros and cons of paid and free courses that will help you determine which ones to pick.
Let’s start with the course content. There’s nothing better than finding a course that suits you well. The instructor is great, and you understand the subject and engage with a wholesome community that can help you push through the hard times. Still, your learning experience vastly depends on the instructor, as it is upon them to ensure you have access to comprehensive materials and tools.
And what motivates people to craft great courses? In most cases, it’s compensation that drives people to provide great materials. That said, you are usually more likely to find a paid course more enticing and comprehensive.
On the other hand, the courses featured in this article are free, but they can teach you Solidity way better than paid alternatives. In my opinion, Alchemy courses are better than some of the most popular Solidity courses on Udemy, for example. So, although it’s true that paid courses usually have more to offer, you can always find these rare gems and enjoy a good learning experience without spending any money.
In addition to that, paid courses are more likely to offer a certificate upon course completion. Certifications are essential if you don’t have formal education, as they give your future employers insight into your skills and knowledge base.
Still, that shouldn’t discourage you from considering free courses. They’re a great intro to your studies, and if you end up changing your goals and interests, you won’t regret investing hundreds or thousands of dollars in your education.
