HELLO
I’m planning to work through the Javascript Algorithms and Data Structures certificate curriculum. Want to join me?
The main difference between being a part of this cohort and doing freeCodeCamp on one’s own is that we’ll try to finish projects and sections by the deadlines in the schedule below.
COHORT PROCESS
I divided the curriculum into three parts:
- The first part mostly covers the basics of JavaScript.
- The second part will cover basic algorithms in JavaScript and learn about object oriented and functional programming.
- The third part will cover the intermediate algorithms and the JavaScript projects.
I will create a new topic for each of the three parts of the cohort. The first post of each topic will be a wiki post that will initially include the following:
- Link to the Schedule
- Summary of the purpose of the topic for those who may not know about the Cohort
- Deadline for the section/project
- List of helpful resources
Anyone who’s participating in the cohort will want to bookmark and watch this topic and the other topics for future reference.
Cohort members will ask questions and share links and information with one another within section topics. Please add to and edit the first post of each topic as needed to share resources and other helpful information with other cohort members.
Participating in the cohort means one commits to do the following:
- Work on and finish sections and projects by the deadline.
- Give others feedback and reviews on their code and projects.
- Help by answering questions as needed.
- Share interesting information about section material and projects with the cohort.
SCHEDULE
Part 1
- Sections:
- Deadline: 4/30/2018 11:59PM PST
- Topic: Discussion, Questions, and Resources for Part 1 (JavaScript - April 2018 Cohort)
Part 2
- Sections:
- Deadline: 5/31/2018 11:59PM PST
- Topic: Discussion, Questions, and Resources for Part 2 (JavaScript Basic Algorithms, Object-Oriented, and Functional Programming - April 2018 Cohort)
Part 3
- Sections:
- Deadline: 7/31/2018 11:59PM PST
- Topic: Discussion, Questions, and Resources for Part 3 of the April 2018 Cohort (Intermediate Algorithm Scripting and JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures Projects)
As you can see, most of the cohort is challenge-focused, so resource sharing will be very helpful as we learn about JavaScript and algorithms.
Note: We’ll be using the beta curriculum so it’s up to each person individually to keep track of one’s progress and save one’s code in case the beta curriculum data disappears for some reason.
COHORT HISTORY
This cohort continues the January 2018 Cohort which started in January 2018 and ended on April 1, 2018.
The October 2017 cohort was a previous attempt at running a cohort using the freeCodeCamp curriculum. In that cohort, we used forum private messages for internal communication and topics for section and project reviews. We used the current curriculum and ended the cohort when it was announced that the beta curriculum could be ready by Christmas 2017.
The Chingu cohorts (#6 | #7) also exist for those who want a more team-based path outside of the freeCodeCamp ecosystem. I mention this here for reference only as the Chingu program is not connected to this cohort in any way.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who can participate?
Anyone! Whether you’re just starting or you’ve been involved with freeCodeCamp for a long time, you’re welcome to join, follow along, and contribute.
What's the daily/weekly time commitment?
About 2-3 hours a day for the challenges, which includes reading through and completing the challenges and replying to questions from cohort members. The expectation is that we’ll be learning 7 days a week. If we work hard, we can each have the JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures Certificate by August 1st, 2018! 
What technologies will we need? Do I have to sign up for an account somewhere?
The only communication system we use is the freeCodeCamp forum system. If you’re reading this message and have an account on the forum system, then you have everything you need to succeed in this cohort!
What if I fall behind or my situation changes and I can't continue?
You don’t have to do anything. If you’re absent from our discussions, we’ll assume you’re not participating for important reasons and move on without you. There’s no pressure to participate.
What if I work ahead or what if I'm already finished with some of the curriculum?
That’s great! Keep working hard! It’s one thing to have completed the challenges and projects, but it’s something entirely different (and potentially equally beneficial to one’s own learning) to review other people’s projects and help others when they get stuck. If you find yourself ahead of the cohort schedule because you know the material well or had extra time to get more finished, please check in with other cohort members to see if you can help!
In this cohort, the schedule is created with the idea that we need to really learn the material in each of the sections, not just finish the sections. So, one suggestion for those who find themselves ahead is to read some extra materials about the section content (see the resources section of each topic) and really dive deep into the content so you can solidify your understanding of the topic.
What about the rest of the freeCodeCamp beta curriculum?
If all goes well, we’ll start working on the other sections when we’re finished in August.
Will another cohort be started for the JavaScript section of the beta curriculum?
Maybe! All of this text and anything else that’s shared on the freeCodeCamp forum in relation to this cohort is in the public domain and can be used by anyone as needed. I (@camper) am not going to facilitate a cohort for this section again. Hopefully someone else will facilitate another one and if they do, they’re welcome to copy/paste this topic or any other topic/reply that I write.
How will progress be saved if/when the beta site data is reset, corrupt, etc...?
I think the best we can do at this point is to login to the beta site and work through the challenges so the beta site keeps our progress. When finished for the day, one will want to record their stopping point somewhere outside the beta site just in case that data is reset or whatever.
As we get to the challenges that require us to write a bunch of code, one will have to/want to copy and save that code to somewhere outside the beta site so it can be copied back in once the beta is live. Another alternative would be to redo that work once the beta is live, since hopefully one will have learned how to do it so doing it again shouldn’t be too difficult or time-consuming.
It’s definitely not ideal, but I think it’s better than using the current curriculum which isn’t as up-to-date as the beta curriculum.
When does this cohort start?
The cohort officially starts on April 5, 2018. You can start early if you want or join in late if you’re reading this after the 5th.
HOW CAN ONE JOIN?
Bookmark this topic and edit this first post to add your username to the member list below. That’s it! All usernames in this list will be notified of future cohort topics. If you can’t edit this first post, comment below and I’ll add your username to the list.
COHORT MEMBER LIST
- camper
- angelinalblyth
- yoizfefisch
- NariRoh
- gilvarry
- emilio12345
- wmooney1984
- verde79
- Asjas
- kevin0110w
- bushbass
- ecmonzon
- reginabfly
- Gigahood
- zaynaib
- suzannekinyenje
- nickoless
- lbeth
- ddcas
- RobGoelz
- KatFrog
- coderati
- RReddVar
- vagrahb
- wade1928
- webdevdjm
- Poojabedur
- uzorjchibuzor
- RHoneyman87
- Techne3
- smsguy927
- Foo_Dog
- nvrqt03
- Saddam
- clickingmouse
- brityank
- OllL
- wesam-mustafa
- jgsimmerman
- davemowery
- vbartolomei1
- catherinewoodward
- Johnrose
- mohamedkhaledyousef
- skny3d
- alhazen1
- deedee
- m4sterbunny
- Emgo-Dev
- JayDevelopment
- Balancedsan
It didn’t let me edit the first post.
The first topic of the April 2018 JavaScript cohort is live! 