Learn to code in 8 weeks with Bloc, an online bootcamp for would-be developers

http://venturebeat.com/2012/07/26/bloc/

by jmtame • 14 years ago

44 24 14 years ago

jmtame2• 14 years ago

Minor correction: we are not YC funded; I've e-mailed Jolie to let her know. I had mentioned that I started my previous startup in YC, so think that's where the confusion came from.

larrys• 14 years ago

Love the Arrested Development reference.

ericmsimons• 14 years ago

Sounds like this is kind of like a mix between codeacademy (learning to code online) and dev bootcamp (learning to code in person). The problem I have with codeacademy is that when I get stuck I don't have someone to immediately answer my question, which is unbelievably frustrating. On the other side of things dev bootcamp requires you to be there in person which just doesn't fit my schedule.

If these guys can actually merge the convenience of sitting at my computer with the human element of learning, I'll gladly drop 3.5K to learn web dev in 2 months. Are there any alumni of bloc on HN that can share their experience?

jkeesh• 14 years ago

We are building a similar site called CodeHS ( codehs.com ), which is focused on teaching basic programming to beginners, with an emphasis on giving help from real people. Not nearly as intense, and focused more on being fun and accessible.

lachyg• 14 years ago

We (http://devbootcamp.com/) host the Bloc guys in our office, and work with them on a ton of cool stuff! I see them in constant Skype calls with their students, discussing all kinds of cool things. These guys are great.

Reebz• 14 years ago

After a 7 year programming hiatus from my college CS degree (never ended up coding professionally), I am learning RoR through CodeSchool.com's tutorials and it's fantastic. The best part is you can speak to a real person for help by calling RailsHotline.com, they only ask that you donate minutes in return.

I am currently up to 'Rails for Zombies 2', and while it is very beginner focused, I'm comfortable to look through API docs to work out what I need to use, I have a grasp of MVC and I'm acquainted with basic github functionality.

It's fun. It's never going to be "5 minute abs", but that's a good thing.

wpietri2• 14 years ago

Is there some way that's not a ridiculously fawning news story? E.g., the claim that it's well worth the price tag, or that it delivers dramatic results?

jmtame2• 14 years ago

You can compare the hacker schools here: http://blog.bloc.io/comparing-hacker-schools -- if you're interested in learning about the economics, I'd recommend reading Race Against the Machine: http://www.amazon.com/Race-Against-The-Machine-ebook/dp/B005....

One of our students was just hired, and we've got another who just graduated on sponsorship from another well known startup as part of their hiring process. If you want a full list of the apps our students have built e-mail me at jared@bloc.io.

The bootcamp is really what you make of it, although our focus is on building an application that you could do many things with: show an employer (who appreciates seeing code that you've written as opposed to a resume), show to a potential cofounder, or bootstrap it.

wpietri2• 14 years ago

I'm more questioning the article than the program. I know we're not exactly living in a golden age of journalism, but this struck me as a puff piece.

That said, I'm also very skeptical of the program. I'm having a hard time thinking of a profession where programs like this wouldn't be entirely suspicious. E.g., "Become a veterinarian in just 12 weeks!"

I think somebody who wants to be seen as a journalist would ask some some questions about the apparent disparity. Or would at least refrain from endorsing something without demonstrating a little critical thinking.

sonnyhe2002• 14 years ago

$3500!!!! I'll use that to take a course from Harvard thank you.

krollew• 14 years ago

Learn to code in 8 weeks... Lol. http://norvig.com/21-days.html

jmspring• 14 years ago

Probably being a bit curmudgeonly, but a lot of these "learn to code quickly" remind me of the joking around 5 minute abs and the like.

Yes, they will probably help you weave some html/css or understand CRUD apps, but I've yet to see one that will be helpful in understanding more than the basics. Smart people will certainly use this as a springboard to get in on the game and will learn more as they go along. But, depth in terms of debugging problems, knowing how to connect technologies (or craft your own solutions), scaling and the like take time.

I don't think we are at the late 90s stage of "you're a warm body? here is a job", but quick paths to coding, every tom, dick and harry being an angel investor, and the like do give me a pause.

I hope people do learn, contribute, and grow, but...questions persist.

hanibash• 14 years ago

Thanks for the feedback jmspring. I think you're right, deeper understanding takes a lot more time than 8 weeks, even at the pace that our students go.

However for people that want to get into coding for the first time, nothing is more gratifying than having a project in your pocket that you can point to and say "I did that". That is why our courses are project-oriented.

I hope that our courses pique student interest enough to pursue deeper theoretical knowledge, but as a first foray into coding, we've found projects are really the way to go.

lionheart• 14 years ago

Well, if you think about it 90% of web apps really are just CRUD apps. They're ways to make some bit of life easier or more fun, not complex pieces of programming.

So for many non-technical founders of startups, being able to make a simple CRUD app will take you most of the way toward a prototype.

trekkin2• 14 years ago

"being able to make a simple CRUD app" does not mean the person has learned "to code".

netcan• 14 years ago

Since you've admitted to curmudgeonry, maybe you'd represent curmudgeons for a bit. I'm always confused by these kinds of comments. What exactly is bugging you?

5 minutes of intense exercise today will actually have a big effect on your body if its intensive enough. 5 minutes a day on abs or biceps or whatever will have a big effect on those. That's not a lie.

You're not going to get the body you would get with 2 hrs a day, obviously. Is that what it is? You should be targeting the kind of body you get with 2 hours a day. If so, isn't starting on a 5 minutes a day routine with enough noticeable effects to keep you motivated a good way to get on that path?*

Most of the people that buy into the 5 minute ab hype, won't get the abs. That's because the hype focusing on selling it to them initially is more effective than the hype keeping them doing it. To a cynical curmudgeon, the inevitable failure rate jumps off the screen. Is that what you're reacting to?

Is it the false advertising? The informercials show people with 2% body fat people who obviously compliment 5 minutes of ab exercises with swimming, weights, yoga & occasional triathlons. Do you think "learn to code quickly" misrepresents what you get?

*Obviously the analogy is to a masters degree & 6 years in challenging programming jobs.

mkramlich• 14 years ago

This smells in several ways. Wow.

Rhymenocerus• 14 years ago

$3500? I'm in the wrong business

slurgfest3• 14 years ago

Given that people who can already develop are not in any way guaranteed jobs, $3500 is pretty darned steep. How are you going to recoup that?

edit: Oh, I know. First you make a website which tells people they are going to learn to code...

Learn to code in 8 weeks with Bloc, an online bootcamp for would-be developers

Related Stories