How to update your Mobile Development skills

The world of Mobile Development is one of the fastest growing business areas with downloads up 15% this year, revenue up 40% and time spent up 25%.

Mobile trends are ridiculously fast paced and as a mobile developer or designer you have to keep abreast of the changes to ensure that you remain at the forefront of technology and have the skills that the market demands.

There is more than one way to learn these new skills and an absolute plethora of learning suppliers so it can be a daunting choice.  It can also be time consuming to plough your way through what is on offer.  In this blog we’ve listed some of the main suppliers, which technologies they cover, the type of learning provided and the cost to help ease your pain. 

It can also be useful to understand which learning style suits you best.  Are you a visual learner? An aural learner who likes to learn by hearing? Do you learn by reading or writing? Or are you a kinaesthetic learner who likes to get hands-on with examples?  You could even be a mixture of all of these? 

If you’re not sure what type of learner you are then you can find out with a quick online free test from a company like Vark ( http://vark-learn.com/the-vark-questionnaire/ ) which will only take you a few minutes and can be fun.  

Much of today’s learning about mobile development is available online but maybe you learn best in a classroom environment or need a more interactive online experience rather than just recorded video. 

We’ve gone through all of the major providers that offer Mobile Development skills training below from global video libraries, local trainers, vendors, MOOCs, University sites, screencasts and forums or blogs. They are split into the different types so you can focus on the sort of training that suits you best.

Many of the courses are free and if you are a beginner you might favour those but as you get more advanced some of the free courses might not be advanced enough.   It is amazing however what you can learn through communities, blogs, vendors and even on YouTube without spending a penny.

Global Online Developer Videos

Pluralsight

Type of learning provider = Global Online Developer Videos

Blurb = As you evolve your career, you need a learning solution that inspires you to create the future.  With our platform, you can keep up with the speed of technology, work smarter and faster, and gain in-demand skills in areas like cloud, mobile, security and data

Mobile Skills Covered =  Android, C#, Ionic2, Angular2, Xamarin, Azure, Webforms, Bootstrap, HTML5, UI, NativeScript, AngularJS, ASP.NET core, cross platform apps, hybrid, native, PhoneGap, games, iOS, Swift, Cordova, Objective-C, Kotlin, ReactNative

Why? They seem to cover pretty much every mobile subject and are highly spoken of by Developers

Price = $29/month or $299/year

Treehouse

Type of learning provider = Global Online Developer Videos

Blurb = Learn from over 1000 videos created by expert teachers on web design, coding, business, and much more. Our library is continually refreshed with the latest on web technology so you'll never fall behind. Practice what you've learned through quizzes and interactive Code Challenges. This style of practicing will allow you to retain information you've learned so you can apply it to your own future projects. You'll earn badges as you journey through our extensive library of courses. These badges are an indicator of what skills you currently possess and are viewable by anyone (even recruiters from big companies!).

Mobile Skills Covered = Android, HTML, Design, JavaScript, iOS, games, C#, VR, APIs, Security, ReactNative, ASP.NET, Objective-C, Swift,

Why? It seems to be fun and easy to learn – a good place to start and not too expensive

Price = £20/m - £40/m

Stackskills

Type of learning provider = Global Online Developer Videos

Blurb = StackSkills is an online learning redemption center built to serve the StackCommerce student community. Founded in September 2011 and headquartered in Venice Beach, California, StackCommerce is the leading native commerce platform for online publishers, communities, and brands. Since its inception, StackCommerce has been powering commerce and online academies for leading publishers and bloggers across the Web and around the world.

Mobile Skills Covered = Android, Java, Xamarin, iOS, PhoneGap, Cordova, Ionic, ReactNative, UX, jQuery

Why? If you want to develop games or are a designer this looks like it has some fun courses.  If you’re an advanced developer then this is probably not the site for you

Price = $29 - $567

Thinkster

Type of learning provider = Global Online Developer Videos

Blurb = Back in 2013, my childhood friend  Albert Pai  and I founded Thinkster after realizing how difficult it was to learn from online resources. Four years later, Thinkster's project based courses now power the learning of millions of people around the globe. Our learners are using their skills to create world changing products, provide for themselves & their families, forge tools that augment research about the universe & this blue planet we call home — amongst many other amazing pursuits.

Mobile Skills Covered = React, Angular2, Ionic, Firebase, Meanstack, a full stack development course and more coming

Why? They are trying to make mastering frameworks much easier and they’re doing it in a rather cool Open Source way.

Price = FREE and Pro at $29/m or $159/yr

Ray Wenderlich

Type of learning provider = Global Online Developer Videos

Blurb = This site is focused on developing  high quality programming tutorials . Our goal is to take the coolest and most challenging topics and make them easy for everyone to learn – so we can all make amazing apps.  We are also focused on developing a  strong community . Our goal is to  help each other reach our dreams  through friendship and cooperation. As you can see below, a bunch of us have joined forces to make this happen: authors, editors, subject matter experts, app reviewers, and most importantly our amazing readers!

Mobile Skills Covered = Swift, iOS, Android, Apple Game Frameworks, Unity, watchOS, tvOS

Why? This looks the place to be if you’re an iOS Developer with 898 videos diving deep into all aspects of Swift and iOS development

Price = $14.99/month

NS Screencast

Type of learning provider = Global Online Developer Videos

Blurb = NSScreencast features bite-sized videos on iOS development. If you're interested in developing applications for iPhone & iPad using Swift, Objective-C and Xcode, then you've come to the right place!  Each week a new episode is published covering a topic related to iOS and Mac development. The videos are short and focused. We won't waste your time.

Mobile Skills Covered = Everything iOS!

Why? Learn a lot without a huge time commitment and they have the largest collection of iOS Screencasts

Price = $9/month or $100/year

UK Based Training

HOTT

Type of learning provider = UK based training

Blurb = We offer true competency-based programs, we guarantee quality, and we guarantee to lower your costs, all at the same time.  HOTT offers on-site training at your company location as well as a regular schedule of open-enrollment classes at frequent intervals in 16 cities across the United Kingdom. Our courses cover over 60 different subject areas, including both programming and system administration skills. We offer stand-alone classes in addition to all-inclusive certification training tracks.

Mobile Skills Covered = Android, Objective-C, Swift, Cordova, Java, Xamarin, iOS

Why? Developers like HOTT and they offer a variety of different learning experiences and provide guarantees to companies

Price = 3-5 day courses £1295-£1995

Learning Tree International

Type of learning provider = UK based training

Blurb = Established in 1974 , Learning Tree International is a leading provider of individual, team and organisation-wide IT training and management training to business and government organisations worldwide.  Over 2.4 million professionals  have enhanced their skills through Learning Tree’s extensive library of proprietary and partner content on topics including: web development, cyber security, programme and project management, Agile, operating systems, networking, cloud computing, leadership, and more

Mobile skills covered = Iphone, Android, Security, Swift, Objective-C, iOS, PhoneGap, React, jQuery, HTML5, JavaScript, AngularJS, CSS3, C#, Java, .NET

Why? They’ve been around a long time and are trusted by companies (your company may be happier to pay for it!)

Price = Expensive

London App Brewery

Type of learning provider = UK based training

Blurb = Join the best app development boot camp in the world and learn app programming, design and marketing; from beginning to end.

Mobile Skills Covered =  Very much for beginners -  iOS, Android

Why? You can learn at a weekend boot camp, online plus meetups.  Looks like a cool way to learn and meet your peers

Price = £499-£999

Training Dragon

Type of learning provider = UK based training

Blurb = Training Dragon offers hands-on, instructor-led and classroom based training from industry experts

Mobile Skills Covered = HTML, CSS, JavaScript, JQuery, PHP, MySQL, Design, PhoneGap, Objective-C, iOS, SQL, Angular.js, Node.js, SAAS, Java, Android, WordPress, SEO, Digital Marketing

Why? Whole career path development from scratch

Price = Expensive as they are full time or part courses for 3 – 18 mths

Security Innovation

Type of learning provider = UK based training

Blurb = Unique in the industry, our application security training program combines progressive role and technology-based training with hands-on simulations and reinforcement assets for the most effective way to build offensive and defensive skills

Mobile Skills Covered = Mobile security courses across all platforms and languages

Price = TBC

Framework Training

Type of learning provider = UK based training

Blurb = Framework Training Ltd was established in 2010 with the aim of delivering technical training courses of the very highest quality supported by enthusiastic and expert customer service. We have considerable experience in web, database and software development and have particular interests in emerging technologies, Agile / Scrum, advanced techniques and security Best Practices.

Mobile Skills Covered = Android, Java, Gaming, Unity, Xamarin, Ionic, iOS, XCode, Swift

Why? Small classes or onsite

Price = 1-4 day courses £795-£2295

Global General Training Videos

Udemy

Type of learning provider = Global General Training Videos

Blurb = Udemy is a global marketplace for learning and teaching online where students are mastering new skills and achieving their goals by learning from an extensive library of over 55,000 courses taught by expert instructors.

Mobile skills covered = Everything – e.g. Android, PhoneGap, Unity, Swift, Angular2, Entity, ASP.NET core, Angular 4, Cross-platform, iOS, HTML5, Ionic, Objective-C, UI,UX, ReactNative, Xamarin, JavaScript, Kotlin, C#, Python, Java

Why? It covers all levels at very low cost which you can dip in and out of as you wish

Price = Cheap or free

YouTube

Type of learning provider = Global General Training Videos

Blurb = Just search on what you want to learn!

Mobile Skills Covered = everything! – e.g. Kotlin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2LukgT2mKc and https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpg00ti3ApRweIhdOI4VCFFStx4uXC__u

Why? YouTube has tutorials on everything which you can play whenever you like and are free.  Developers often use this as their go-to resource for learning new skills

Price = FREE

Lynda

Type of learning provider = Global General Training Videos

Blurb = Lynda is a leading online learning platform that helps anyone learn business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals.  For 20 yrs, Lynda has helped students, leaders, IT and design pros, project managers – anyone in any role – develop software, creative and business skills.  Now part of LinkedIn, Lynda serves more than 10,000 organisations

Mobile Skills Covered = iOS, Android, Kotlin, Swift, Xamarin, Objective-C, UX, UI, PhoneGap, Cordova, ReactNative plus more

Why? 1000s of quick videos on every mobile subject – run the free trial first to check if they are good however

Price = £12.95/month - £18.95/month

Safari

Type of learning provider = Global General Training Videos

Blurb = The world’s most comprehensive technology and business learning platform.  Learn a programming language, develop new skills or get started with something entirely new.  Each learning path is a logical, well-crafted sequence of expert-led video training. Live online training on Safari means that you’ll never get stuck—your instructor is right there with you as you learn, ready to answer your questions. And you’ll be learning from the best in the business, with instructors from O’Reilly’s unparalleled network of experts and innovators.

Mobile Skills Covered = iOS, Android, Kotlin, Swift, Xamarin, Objective-C, UX, UI, PhoneGap, Cordova, ReactNative plus more

Why? Books, learning paths, tutorials and videos from one of the biggest tech publishers – there is a huge amount of content here which should suit most people

Price = $39/month or $399/year

Skilledup

Type of learning provider = Global General Training Videos

Blurb = SkilledUp curates the abundance of online and alternative education sources to give teams access across the entire e-learning universe.  SkilledUp also offers Skill Accelerators – immersive, mentor-based training programs focused on specific high-demand career skills that give teams the learning they need to stay relevant

Mobile Skills Covered = Everything

Why? You can sign up for free and receive free courses, tips and articles from a library of 60,533 courses on Mobile Development from a wide variety of providers

Price = FREE but can pay for courses as you wish

MOOC (Massive Online Open Course)

Alison

Type of learning provider = MOOC

Blurb = Alison is an e-learning provider and academy founded in Ireland in 2007. Its stated objective is to enable people to gain basic education and workplace skills. Alison registered its 5 millionth learner in February 2015, making the online education provider one of the biggest MOOCs outside of the US

Mobile skills covered = iOS, Android, HTML5, Angular2, AngularJS, JavaScript, C#, Games,

Why? Good for an intro to a topic but more for beginners

Price = FREE

edX

Type of learning provider = MOOC

Blurb = We were founded by and continue to be governed by colleges and universities. We are the only leading MOOC provider that is both non-profit and open source. Open edX is the open-source platform that powers edX courses and is freely available. With Open edX, educators and technologists can build learning tools and contribute new features to the platform, creating innovative solutions to benefit students everywhere.

Mobile Skills Covered = Android, iOS, Xamarin, C#, Java, VR,

Why? = There are lots of courses for free but all fairly entry level so good for beginners

Price = FREE

Global Online Universities

Coursera

Type of learning provider = Global Online University

Blurb = Every course on Coursera is taught by top instructors from the world’s best universities and educational institutions.  Courses include video lectures, auto-graded and peer-reviewed assignments, and community discussion forums.  When you complete a course, you’ll receive a sharable electronic Course Certificate

Mobile Skills Covered = Android, iOS, JavaScript, Angular, Multiplatform, Native Script, Ionic, Cordova, Cybersecurity, Server side, Java, Swift, UX, UI, iOT, Games, C#, Objective-C, Full stack

Why? A wide range of courses with certification from top universities and maybe a more considered view compared to other training providers

Price = $29-$99

Udacity

Type of learning provider = Global Online University

Blurb = We are building an online university, "by Silicon Valley", that teaches the skills that industry employers need today, delivers credentials endorsed by employers, educates at a fraction of the cost of traditional schools. With industry giants—Google, AT&T, Facebook, Salesforce, Cloudera, etc.—we offer Nanodegree programs and credentials, designed so professionals become Web Developers, Data Analysts, Mobile Developers, etc. Our students acquire real skills through a series of online

Mobile Skills Covered = iOS, Android, React, Swift, Java, UX, Objective-D, Unity, VR,

Why? It provides close connections with industry and more of a fit for future view with courses that appear to be leading edge

Price = Much is free and the Nanodegrees can be paid for by month i.e. If you finish it quickly you will pay less as you are paying for fewer months.  A React course = £399

Vendors

Microsoft Virtual Academy

Type of learning provider = Vendor

Blurb = Developers, learn more about mobile development for the latest Windows and Windows Phone devices. Plus, explore JavaScript/HTML5 and C#/XAML. Check out our mobile development training courses on universal Windows apps for PCs, tablets, and phones.

Mobile Skills Covered = Xamarin, Visual Studio, Azure, JavaScript, Games, Android, iOS, Unity, HTML5, C#, XAML, C++, CSS3

Why? It’s free and they should know what they’re talking about when it comes to Microsoft products

Price = FREE

Android Developers

Type of learning provider = Vendor

Blurb = Here you'll find training classes that describe how to accomplish a specific task with code samples you can re-use in your app. The first training guides will teach you the essentials for Android app development. If you're a new Android app developer, you should complete each of these classes in order.  Various online video courses are also available if you'd prefer an interactive video experience.

Mobile Skills Covered = Everything Android!

Why? A good mix of community, previews, samples, latest news and training

Price = FREE

PhoneGap

Type of learning provider = Vendor

Blurb = Building a mobile app requires several phases from configuring, developing, debugging and optimizing to finally distributing it to the app stores. Some of these phases can prove to be more challenging. This section of tutorials is offered to help developers tackle some of those challenging issues.

Why? To help you tackle some of your PhoneGap issues

Mobile Skills Covered = er. . . PhoneGap

Price = FREE

Xamarin

Type of learning provider = Vendor

Blurb = Xamarin skills are increasingly in demand.  Ensure you and your team represent top Xamarin talent by earning the Xamarin Certified Developer designation, offered exclusively through Xamarin University.  The Xamarin Certified Mobile Developer badge is for those who have undergone rigorous coursework and demonstrated expertise in practical cross-platform mobile development in iOS, Android and Windows using the Xamarin platform

Mobile Skills Covered = Xamarin obviously

Why? If Xamarin is your thing then their university should be the best place to learn more although it’s certainly not free

Price = $83.25/month

Kotlin

Type of learning provider = Vendor

Blurb =  A series of complete step-by-step tutorials (actually on Github) to walk you through how to accomplish different tasks in Kotlin, from Getting Started to writing Android applications and more. If you like a “hands-on” learning, try Kotlin Koans online to get familiar with Kotlin.

Mobile Skills Covered = Kotlin

Why? Kotlin is still fairly new so this is a good place to start learning as there are not many courses available yet and this should cover most of what you need to get you started.

Price = FREE

Apple Developer

Type of learning provider = Vendor

Blurb = The latest documentation, videos, developer insights, guides, forums,  the developer program and more

Mobile Skills Covered = iOS, XCode, Swift, Objective-C, games, tools, app services,

Why? Find the latest information on everything iOS including courses on iTunes

Price = FREE (The Developer Program = $99/year)

Developer Blogs

NS Hipster

Type of learning provider = Developer Blog

Blurb = NSHipster is a journal of the overlooked bits in Objective-C, Swift, and Cocoa. Updated weekly

Mobile Skills Covered = e Objective-C, Swift, Cocoa

Why? It’s written in a fun and friendly style by some obsessives – what’s not to like (they’ve even done merch for it)?

Price = FREE

iOS Dev Weekly

Type of learning provider = Developer Blog

Blurb = A hand-picked round up of the best iOS development links every week

Mobile Skills Covered = Everything iOS

Why? It keeps you up to date with the latest iOS news every week for free

Price = FREE