How do you usually find good tutorials on YouTube without wasting time?
Posted by Glad_Alternative8913@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 57 comments
I’ve noticed when I search for coding tutorials on YouTube, I end up clicking through a bunch of irrelevant or low-quality videos before finding one that actually helps. Sometimes I also get distracted by unrelated content on the sidebar.
For those of you learning programming: – What was the last tutorial you searched for on YouTube, and how long did it take before you found one that was useful? – What do you usually look at first (views, length, comments, channel, etc.) when deciding if a tutorial is worth your time? – Have you ever just given up on YouTube and gone to a course (Udemy, Coursera, etc.) because it was too much hassle?
I’m curious to learn how other people deal with this, because I always feel I waste too much time just finding the right video instead of learning.
HolyPommeDeTerre@reddit
I don't see how anyone can make real use of a video. It's impractical for learning things IMO.
I like videos to either ELI5 something I don't know but I want to try to understand without making that a real learning subject (like video from electroboom, or veritasium). But that's more entertainment. I'm not really learning. Or to be very specific in a domain I already know very well (so I can accept the pace of the video and still have critical thinking).
Learning is doing. And watching a video while doing it is impractical because: you should look at one thing at a time and you should define the rhythm of your learning. Unfortunately, videos are imposing their rhythm. Using a text doc allows you to scan fast the content and move around the doc. Focusing on your code, switching when you need. Finding the right information and avoiding the sugar coating that takes ages of your time.
When learning coding, you should be doing things. Not watching someone else do something. The solution presented always looks logical. And you feel you learnt something. But you actually just jump over a whole lot of questions in your brain that you don't even know you need to answer. Doing is the way to uncover those questions and fill the gap in your brain. Practice, find doc about what you are practicing, use videos only when you can't find another source that is text.
You don't learn to run by watching video of Olympic runners.
FullMetalAlcoholic66@reddit
Counterpoint: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrbJYsep45E&t=186s
I literally spent a couple of years off and on, not really that hardcore, trying to understand quantum computing. In a little over 10 minutes, I finally got it compared to dozens of hours reading dry textbooks with figures and graphs.
Check out 3blue1brown's channel
gomsim@reddit
I agree 3blue1brown and similar channels are great for exploring domains such as machine learning, etc. But they're not really programming tutorials. :)
FullMetalAlcoholic66@reddit
The way to most effectively learn is to take a multimodal approach that uses various types of information, regardless of individual preferences or anyone's supposed "learning style". Individual learning styles, like being a visual learner, learn by textbook, or learning by doing are incomplete styles of learning. All research shows that indivudal learning styles are BS.
You know what the best way to learn anything is? Learning through as many modalities as possible. Limiting yourself to "only learning through coding" is limiting.
Haven't you guys ever had a colleague or a book explain something in one sentence that you couldn't understand after weeks of reading books?
gomsim@reddit
That's why I said that 3blue1brown and similar channels are great. I'd never learn the architecture and math behind neural networks by watching a coding tutorial. I would just be blindly following along.
Same thing when I watched a series of videos from computerphile when I wanted to grasp how 3D projection and rasterization works in order to write a (very basic) 3D engine. But it was more for getting the big picture. The details I had to do more research about.
HolyPommeDeTerre@reddit
I am glad you found a support to transform all the learnings you did for years and finally make sense out of it.
The video was that for you. It revealed what you learned. It sorted out what you already saw for year.
A 10 minute video doesn't replace years of learning/trying.
My point is, the video isn't the resource that will bring the best learning experience.
I am sure 3blue1brown won't say that you learnt Quantum Commuting by watching his video.
HolyPommeDeTerre@reddit
Yeah I started to learn quantum physics and the maths associated.
I have been given video courses of Standford and such.
I also took two quantum computing trainings (notably, security algorithms). Real ones, not 10 minutes videos.
Your counter point relies on the fact that you think you did the work. While learning those fields is about doing math for years. (Asked the physics reddit more than once, always got the same answer, read+ do the maths). Feels more like Dunning Kruger especially if you are the one validating your own point here.
As I mentioned, this kind of video is entertainment. Not learning. I love 3blue1brown. Very efficient. But I am sure he won't say that you learnt quantum computing by watching his video.
gomsim@reddit
I fully agree. I've never done video tutorials because they simply feel impractical and there is no good way to browse through the information.
I have sometimes watched videos to watch peoples' takes on new features in a language or their most common pitfalls in some language, etc. but some of those things also border on entertainment.
The only time I can remember actually really following videos were when I wanted to learn how 3D graphics rendering worked because I wanted to try implementing it for fum. But those were not real tutorials and contained no code, rather visual explanations, with me googling a lot of highschool math on the side.
FullMetalAlcoholic66@reddit
This is complete horseshit. Elite athletes watch tons of fucking video of their upcoming opponents. What, you think they learn by reading dry stats or some shit?
flick36@reddit
You simple don't see it because you are not a visual learner, but to say it's impractial or is of not use because it's not your type of learning it's so closed minded, while i agree that you have to practice to master what you learn, the way you firt learn stuff, it's equally valid whether you are a visual, auditory, kineasthetic, reader&writer, etc etc.
Whatever works for each individual.
greenscarfliver@reddit
"visual learners" aren't a thing.
Additionally
ThiscannotbeI@reddit
Mayer’s Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (1990s–2000s)
If you want to be better at learning you should get exposed to different teaching styles. That is using books, building things, watching tutorials.
mlitchard@reddit
Counter-point. Everything I know about flutter (not much but enough to get the project done) came from YouTube. But I think I see your point. My circumstance is I had to get a specific thing done (rather than just a vague “learn flutter”) and I happened across someone who took the time I did not want to invest to dig into the internals . It was clear he had done this by the knowledge he could communicate.
greenscarfliver@reddit
Yeah but counter counter point, you weren't trying to "learn programming". You were looking for a resolution to a specific problem you had, which is a use case for tutorials.
redditor000121238@reddit
I think that a youtube video can never be specific enough about the details of the concept. That makes me wonder, what actually is specific enough to learn programming? Some videos on loops I saw didn't mention while loops and do while loops. But the course book I read had them. So for some given unknown information to me. How will I know it is the required relevant information of the concept?
redditor000121238@reddit
Visual learners is a thing. Just that not many situations require visual processing especially in logic based programs.
Kriemhilt@reddit
The closest thing I've ever found to a video that's useful for learning proramming, is those animated block diagrams for algorithms.
Even then you need to read the text or pseudocode, look at the diagram and think about how it relates to the text, pause it, etc. It's genuinely useful for building intuition, but you still need to actually code the thing to solidify your knowledge.
Videos of people talking about code, or showing slides of code, or worst of all videos of someone's IDE, are only helpful for concepts and ideas.
HolyPommeDeTerre@reddit
I am but that's not the point here. YT Video isn't the only visual concept that exists, fortunately.
Learning with a video is like having a teacher you can't ask questions. These are the most useless teachers ever imo. They just push what they want to you. They don't react to you, they can't adapt to you. But you are the learner, you are the one that must be doing the hardest thing here.
Pausing a video, then resuming, then going back a few seconds... And so on... Isn't practical. This isn't a visual learner thing. Compared to the speed you have with text. It is impractical to vehiculate information in an efficient way.
I am not saying they are useless. I am saying this isn't really learning code. You code, and then you find resources to help you get further. If it's a video, fine, it'll just be slower to get the information out from the video. To me it must be treated as an alternative when you don't find something better.
Metalsutton@reddit
agree. read a book. that way its focused and gives direction step by step, isnt on the internet as anyone could post slack tutorials. Book publishers went through the trouble of determining whats in the book, so you know its curated and relevant. you can take it at your own pace.
jmGille@reddit
I agree with this 1000% watching a video to learn coding is procrastination in disguise. Get your hands dirty, feel dumb, feel like you’re not smart enough, and keep going anyways that’s the only way you’ll truly learn.
Glad_Alternative8913@reddit (OP)
What really kills me is the YouTube recommendations. I’ll be watching a Django tutorial, then see a random gaming video pop up on the side… next thing I know, I’m off track.
Do you guys just ignore the sidebar, or have you found a way to avoid going down that rabbit hole?
Lower_Seaweed7680@reddit
Use the unhook or untrap web extensions
Sazazezer@reddit
If you're on a desktop you could try untrap. You can basically hide or limit what YouTube shows you (I currently have it set to only show me two recommendations at a time rather than the infinite wall, and that's kills my procrastination nicely).
sudomeacat@reddit
If you’re adamant on staying on YouTube, I’d reccomend switching to theater mode. Then at least the sidebar videos go below the video and you’ll have to scroll down to access it.
But as others said, video tutorials aren’t the best way to go. I haven’t used Django, but I’d assume it would have the same issues as other software. Unless you’re matching versions, you’re looking at something outdated or as you said, misinformation.
nandanavijayakumar@reddit
I usually check the video’s comments, likes/dislikes, and how recently it was uploaded, then skim a few minutes to see if it’s clear and matches what I need.
Nitram_2000@reddit
I also wasted a lot of time on YouTube before hiring the bullet and buying a Udemy course. It’s been a game changer. Someone above said to skip videos entirely, but I’m a visual learner myself.
The Python boot camp on Udemy is a bit of a slog and does a lot of handholding, but it also gives you time to go and try stuff and make mistakes to learn from. It’s been brilliant for me.
Udemy also does tons of sales so it’s never super expensive.
The main thing is to do something everyday. Consistency is key. Just by turning up you’re doing more than most.
DoctorFuu@reddit
no
Nitram_2000@reddit
Uptick for the lol for the blunt reply 😄
Nitram_2000@reddit
Well, yes.
Sure, I still have to practice everything that’s been outlined, and further reading is a must in order to get things working as I want them, but getting some core concepts, ideas, and basics into my head, yes, videos do it for me. How far I want to push myself will determine how good I can get, but that’s on me.
Alcohorse@reddit
YouTube is poison. Just read the docs yourself
TheArchist@reddit
video is the absolute slowest form of learning, especially in programming where you need to actively create in order to improve
you'd be better off having documentation in your web browser tabs to alt tab to than a video. the only thing worse would be copy pasting chatgpt code i guess
Sazazezer@reddit
Sticking with YouTube I found the following helps.
Though on a side note, remember to actually learn from these videos. If you're not making notes or playing with the code the video showed you for an hour or so afterwards then your learning may be a bit too passive.
fuddlesworth@reddit
Stop. Using. Youtube.
SkillSalt9362@reddit
Few good to go YouTube channels helps 1. freeCodeCamp 2. Stanford online 3. MIT Open courseware 4. Harvard's
IlliterateJedi@reddit
I stopped searching YouTube for educational videos when they killed the like/dislike button. Now I search reddit for recommendations. I've also moved more to learning.oreilly.com (which unfortunately costs a boatload).
DoctorFuu@reddit
Don't use video tutorials.
Kitchen_Koala_4878@reddit
You must understand why people make these videso, certainly not to teach other people, that may be a side effect
mlitchard@reddit
It’s true that passing your knowledge on to others effectively signals a level of mastery, and this is good for your career. But having mastered a thing does not automatically mean you can communicate it effectively. And some videos, yeah you know the ones. They want that career boost , but at your expense. They’ll lead you astray while looking good to the bosses.
Glad_Alternative8913@reddit (OP)
For me, the last time I searched for a Python tutorial, I clicked through like 5 videos — one was too short, one had bad audio, one was clickbait. I ended up wasting ~30 minutes before I found something decent.
Curious — do you usually stick with the first video you click, or do you sample multiple before settling on one?
mlitchard@reddit
For the flutter example I gave, I checked around. The project itself had some good videos but there was one guy who was a true expert and a great communicator, and I was happy he made the videoes he made.
Machvel@reddit
you dont use youtube
mlitchard@reddit
Why?
mlitchard@reddit
When someone wants to make a tutorial, they give their bona-fides. If they don’t, ask yourself why you should listen to them. If they do and it’s basically “I just learned a thing and want to show you” be careful. The urge of the beginner to display what they learned is strong and should be encouraged. But when they confuse that for expertise, they will be doing a disservice.
KiwasiGames@reddit
I don’t.
When I’m learning something I’ll find whatever crappy YouTube video comes up first and use this to figure out the lay of the land. Ten to fifteen minutes is normally enough to give me the critical points.
Then I go to the documentation. Reading is far more information dense than videos. And it’s far easier to find the information I actually need.
cheezballs@reddit
Videos are not good ways to learn programming, imo.
AiotexOfficial@reddit
Best way to learn is just to try and solve a problem and learn along the way using the docs for the tech stack you use. It’s practical and you can be sure that what you are doing is best practice while understanding it more deeply
sendintheotherclowns@reddit
Use Pluralsight, the curated learning paths can take you from noob zero to certified hero. Why waste your time half arsing it?
Lonely-Foundation622@reddit
Best way to learn is pair programming with someone who knows what makes good code, learning a language is only a small part of development. Need some who understands things like abstraction, how to structure a project, benefits and negatives to different approaches etc. this is the stuff that will really help in a professional environment as it leads to easy to read, maintainable code.
In terms of language most languages have all the same ideas and just different ways of expressing yourself.
It depends on whether you are learning a strongly typed language like java / scala or something untyped like JavaScript.
Main takeaway find someone to teach you.
calmingpupper@reddit
Probably to learn how to run the code. I am skipping YouTube as adviced.
Awkward_Scarcity_532@reddit
use gpt simple
TechwithRishu@reddit
get advice with others fellow,might they face same problem
Wide-Dragonfruit-571@reddit
I use Udemy cuz it’s hard finding the right stuff to learn in a proper course..
abelabelabel@reddit
Pay for YouTube premium. The ads are the waste of time. Not being able to change the speed of your videos are the waste of time.
jmGille@reddit
Test-driven learning - best approach
FullMetalAlcoholic66@reddit
Find a curated list, like an awesome list on github, for the topic of choice. Then navigate to the tutorials section.
NarayanDuttPurohit@reddit
I put 2 filters for search, one is over 20 minutes videos only, and another is uploaded this year only, so I don't care about views, I just need up to date tutorials, generally longer than 20 minutes
Prestigious-Ad4520@reddit
At first avoid YouTube go to webs that focus on teaching stuff if you can't make the screen bigger or full screen so the random videos won't show up for you only the screen also put the phone out of reach so you won't get distracted by that this is what I do to study.