Solving JavaScript problems vs. being shown the way
One of the most common questions I get about the Vanilla JS Academy is how it’s different from my pocket guides.
The guides try to cover all of the important details on a particular topic, then walk you through a project to help you remember what you learned. I literally take you step-by-step through applying all of the stuff you just learned to a specific problem.
Academy is about learning from doing, and gives you just enough information to get started on projects without giving you all the answers.
You’ll struggle a bit, and that’s the point. The learning moments come from figuring out to think through problems you haven’t experienced before.
If you learn best from experience and building things, Academy is a great fit. If you learn best by being guided through a problem, Academy would probably be a waste of money.
Neither way is “right” or “best.” They’re just different.
What people who’ve gone through the program have to say
Tired of tutorials? Want to really dig in and work with other developers on how to become a vanilla JS badass? I can't tell you how much I've learned from Chris Ferdinandi and his Vanilla JS Academy.- Ben Rudolph
Wanting to learn JavaScript from scratch, make the transition from jQuery or some other library? Already pretty competent and just want to get better?
Chris Ferdinandi has got your back and his learning platform is a *tremendously good value*.- Jonathan Schofield
Having your interaction is priceless. Such added value.- Elliott Porter
After going through this program, I found that using vanilla JS, you can accomplish A LOT more than the larger dev community would lead you to believe.
I really liked the open-endedness of the weekly projects. I think having fewer restraints in solving the task made me focus more on the specific topic for that week and how I would apply it to the given project. Combining this with the Thursday office hour and then having your approach shared on Friday made for a well-rounded overview of the material.
Thanks for an awesome course, Chris! This truly was the best JS learning experience I’ve had—things really clicked for me during the academy and I feel much more comfortable using JavaScript and approaching problems with JS-specific solutions at the ready!- Zac Heisey
Honestly, the projects so far plus seeing your examples have helped me learn so much faster.- Craig Haggart
I was not sure the level of the course. I was not looking for a 101 of JS, which the course was not. It was exactly what I was after.
I really benefited from and liked both the office hours (including code reviews) and the interaction with Chris and students on Slack (a big thing many other course do not have). It was also nice to see how other students approached the same problem. With having other students and you over a set period really helped encourage me to complete projects.
I never felt any imposter syndrome. We could ask any question and Chris was happy to help.- Kevin Beck
I was desperately looking for a person or guided tutorial to help me understand the foundation of pure (vanilla) JavaScript. Though I have good work experience in various programming languages including JavaScript, I felt I was missing something.
I found and bought Chris's books and have gone through most of them. But I was still looking forward to to talking to someone, so I joined the Academy :-) and I'm happy that I did.- Kumar Sucom
Only a few more days to save big
If you’re interested in joining the May session of the Vanilla JS Academy, now is the time to join.
You can save 40% with the code EarlyBird at checkout. It expires this weekend, so don’t wait!