Udacity started when two Stanford University professors decided to offer a course on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for free back in 2011. The move was a blockbuster hit among students from around the world. Udacity started with 160,000 students and the number of attendees has since grown to 12 million.
The gradual shift to online studies did not happen without skepticism. There was a time when degrees obtained online were not acceptable in workplaces. Even some TV shows and movies made fun of the concept, but that has changed over the years.
People are now more connected digitally, and as online spaces are being occupied by companies, education has to keep up. Udacity saw the chance to provide education and it prospered into a credible platform.
What Is Udacity?
Udacity is a website that offers a variety of courses covering data science and other nanodegree programs. Through this platform, you are bound to learn new skills and knowledge to land a good job.
This platform prides itself on having industry experts as partners to foster projects that will impact the world. It offers hands-on learning to its students through technical mentor support and personal coaching.
Scheduling flexibility is the main appeal to shifting from a physical classroom to an online setting. So far, Udacity has made sure to honor this. You can tailor-fit your preferred learning style to suit your schedule.
How Does Udacity Work?
Udacity specifically offers courses that help you hone the skills you need to land a job. The courses offered are curated and are well-researched, with the help of industry experts. Once you enroll in a class, you are in for a variety of activities.
Specifically, the nanodegree programs of Udacity are designed for personalized approaches to learning. There are mentorships, forums, and project reviews for you. At the end of the day, Udacity guarantees that you are well-equipped with important career skills.
What Does Udacity Teach?
There are six schools in Udacity’s nanodegree programs on various topics, including web development. Each school offers unique targeted learning for every student’s interest.
School of Data Science
The School of Data Science is meant for building skills in data manipulation, data visualization, and machine learning. You are expected to be able to build a project portfolio to demonstrate what you’ve learned.
The programs under this school cover concepts like data architecture, product management, SQL, and data visualization.
School of Artificial Intelligence
The School of Artificial Intelligence is Udacity’s mission to keep up with the fast-changing landscape of technology. With artificial intelligence, a lot of advancements are at bay, therefore creating more job opportunities.
The programs under this school cover machine learning, deep learning, AI modeling, supervised and unsupervised learning.
School of Programming & Development
The School of Programming and Development hopes to develop future web developers. Here, you will learn all about coding and programming. By committing 10 hours per week, you are bound to master HTML, CSS, and web applications.
The program covers Java, iOS and Android development, JavaScript, and Blockchain.
School of Autonomous Systems
The School of Autonomous Systems deals with robotics and engineering. With a projection of 42 percent growth in the autonomous vehicle industry in the next four years, Udacity is investing in the future by offering courses on this.
The program has courses on self-driving cars, robotics, machine learning engineering, and even flying cars.
School of Cloud Computing
The School of Cloud Computing is an initiative for students to keep up with the many companies shifting to digital transformation. This movement opens the door for cloud service developers and other computing-related jobs.
The programs under this school include How to Become a Cloud Developer, Cloud DevOps Engineer, and Microsoft Azure Developer.
School of Business
The School of Business of Udacity offers a unique approach rather than the traditional one used at universities. There is a focus here on research, design, and strategy. If you are aiming to be a data analyst with a business perspective, this is a good choice for you to consider.
The program offers classes on data science for business leaders, monetization strategy, and AI for business leaders.
Is Udacity Accredited?
Udacity should not be mistaken for an accredited university. It does not confer degrees to its students. Instead, it is an online education provider that offers a combination of paid and free courses.
The certification you earn from any of the Udacity classes can be used in proving that you have a certain skill when applying for a job. While there are Udacity free courses available, the certificates from these can only be earned once you pay for them.
Udacity’s job placement initiative for its students is available. The hiring of students is made possible because their skills are being boosted by these courses.
Udacity Online Classes Review
Caption: Discover some of the best Udacity courses by checking out their website now.
Udacity is 100 percent online and you can schedule your study at your own pace. This platform is not made for those who are only aiming to learn a little. Enrolling in a Udacity course means making a commitment because you need to earn that skill.
In the middle of the pandemic, consider enrolling in a course in Udacity to improve your technical competence.
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Below are some considerations as to why their paid courses are good value for money.
Is the Udacity Website Easy to Use?
The Udacity platform is known for its ease of use. Everything you need is made readily available on the homepage. The list of popular and new courses can be seen immediately so you have an idea of which courses to browse.
The layout and overall design look simple and neat. You do not have to navigate to other pages to find what you are searching for. When you click on a course, all of the necessary pieces of information are there.
Buttons for enrolling and downloading a syllabus are noticeable when you click on a course. There is also a portion that directs you to a page if you need financial support. You can also browse the topics that the course covers.
Is Udacity Worth the Cost?
Enrolling in a Udacity nanodegree program requires a serious commitment because the cost is significantly higher than others. Udacity offers courses on a time-basis, wherein you need to be subscribed for about three months to complete a set.
There are free courses on Udacity, but the nanodegree programs are all needed to be paid for. These programs are tailored for those who want to start a project to show off their knowledge in real life. It comes with one-on-one mentorship and career coaching.
Paying for a program in Udacity means getting good value for your money. Your projects will also be thoroughly reviewed by professionals, and there is a learning community to interact with when you need peer-to-peer advice.
Udacity Scholarships and Financial Aid
A specific page for scholarship offerings is available on the Udacity website. These scholarships are made available by Udacity to help those who want to learn but are lacking resources.
The Bertelsmann Tech Scholarship aims to help those who want to advance their careers in tech companies. These scholarships aid employees who want to upskill to go up the career ladder.
Aside from these, there is also the Machine Learning Scholarship Program for people who are interested in delving more into machine learning. Meanwhile, the AWS Machine Learning Program is for those who want to study artificial intelligence.
Udacity Course Reviews
Udacity courses are specifically designed for computer science students and enthusiasts. The majority of the courses will immediately appeal to you if you are in this field. Enrolling in the nanodegree courses also helps you look more appealing to future employers.
Contents of the lectures are well-researched and Udacity closely monitors these as they are produced by them. Every detail is checked thoroughly and experts are always consulted. The lectures are mainly taught in English.
The nanodegree programs are found to be trustworthy, with 79 percent of its reviewers giving it five stars. The programs are known for their high quality and there has been continuous positive feedback on the mentors handling their projects.
Udacity Review: The Verdict on Free Online Courses
Udacity is a compact online learning platform advocating to help students remain relevant. It has an impressive list of programs that specifically targets improving the skills of the students. Mentorships and one-to-one consultation are also good additions.
The scholarship program which helps those who are in need shows Udacity’s commitment to widening the reach of education. This platform seeks to hone more individuals in the field of machine learning and artificial intelligence.
As the world continues to grapple with these advancements left and right, Udacity is a platform that will stand with it. Whether it be data science or self-driving cars, the options are open at Udacity for you to choose from.
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