Duolingo for PHP - How Much PHP Can Apps like Mimo Teach?

Mimo Programming Learning Application Evaluation: Pros and Cons of Mobile Learning

Mimo is an application that claims to be able to learn programming "anytime, anywhere". As a veteran Duolingo user, I empathize with this learning method, especially in the coming weeks when I increasingly want to master some basic Swift programming knowledge.

To objectively evaluate the teaching ability of this app, I decided to see what it offers and whether I could recommend it to newbie programming.

Key points:

• Mimo is a programming learning application that uses a similar Duolingo gamification method, but its free content is limited and paid content is expensive, making it difficult to prove its value.
• The app offers separate programming language courses and a combination of courses that include multiple courses, but the initial free courses cover very basic concepts and paid content will begin soon.
• While the content is well written and beginner-friendly, the biggest problem is the lack of guidance on setting up the environment, which can confuse beginners when trying to apply their knowledge to the actual environment.
• Mimo lacks important factors required to effectively learn programming, such as developing typing muscle memory, problem-solving skills, and interacting with relevant programming language communities, making its useful value questionable.

Application Model:

The first one or two classes of each course are free and you will be asked to share to social media or pay to unlock the next class afterwards. After that, subsequent courses will be paid.

Similar to Duolingo, Mimo uses continuous learning days to achieve gamified learning, tracking the number of days you use continuously. To further gamification, the app also offers a range of badges and achievements for collection, although the real killer feature will be Duolingo-like "Follow Users" feature, which also allows for direct communication on certain course slides.

Obviously, there is a lot to collect and achieve in Mimo!

The app allows users to set the learning speed they want, but this simply determines how often the app reminds you of using it - it has no other impact on course length or content.

Isn't it sad to study for 20 minutes a day?

At the time of writing, advanced access costs up to £54.99 per year, or £4.58 per month, but can only be paid on an annual basis. The app's developers seem to be aware that most people will give up on learning and self-improvement applications on mobile devices in a month.

The biggest problem is that given the free features, it is difficult to justify this expenditure.

Course:

The application offers separate programming language courses – PHP, HTML, Swift, "hackers" and more, but also provides a combination of courses that include multiple courses in order, designed to teach a larger overall knowledge. For example, the "Making a Website" course contains the following sub-courses: Programming, Programming 2, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more.

However, this course did not arouse appetite—the content covered was a very basic and language-independent concept of variables, and then the paid content began. Only 2 of the 43 lessons are free – almost not enough to make an informed purchase decision. Also, although there seems to be a lot of content (43 lessons), it is important to note that the course is usually only 10-15 minutes long.

Single courses dive into the same content (at least free content), but explain in the language learned. So when you start your PHP course, you will learn about PHP variables...

You will also learn the same content there when you are taking a Swift course.

Again, there is little reason for you to buy the premium version at this time. However, this approach seems reasonable—if it really aims to be Duolingo in the field of programming, it makes sense to present the same concepts you are already familiar with in another language. What better way to learn than to solve the same problems you have already solved in a new language? But these are not actually problems to be solved.

The biggest problem I see here is Environment settings (predictably, I wrote a book because I care a lot about this topic). The app immediately dives into variables and other programming concepts, but those who are just starting to learn any programming language definitely don't know how to actually get started. There is no instructions on how to install the runtime, compiler, or IDE, nor what operating system or environment may be required. I could easily imagine a user taking all these lessons and then sitting in front of a computer and getting completely stuck. It's like a person learning how to fencing by playing role-playing games on mobile devices - your avatar will wield the sword, but when you finish the game, you won't be better at wielding the sword.

Course quality:

Apart from reusing the “so-called” phrases and some typos in the course, the content is well written, easy to understand, and is often very new to beginners.

In the free part of the app, there are four simple teaching methods:

• Guess
• Reasoning
• Rotary memorization
• Puzzle

Guess will allow users to guess the solution to the problem without preparing for it in advance. Wrong guesses won't allow the user to move forward, allow unlimited retry, and correct guesses will explain the solution to some extent.

Reasoning usually prepares users to answer questions with the answers they get before the previous slide or several slides.

Robo memorization will only throw definitions, theories, and explanations to the user, hoping it will be remembered.

Puzzles require reordering the code sequences until they have logical meaning and look like valid code.

These methods are good for theory, but I still recommend that Mimo add some manual input of code to cultivate people's muscle memory. I also recommend adding a restrictive REPL at the end of each lesson where people can test what they have learned so far.

Conclusion:

While this concept is interesting, I don't think it's possible to achieve any meaningful programming ability through an application like Mimo. To learn how to program, it is necessary to develop muscle memory for typing. You must have the ability to search for problem solutions, called StackOverflow-fu, and the ability to find important information in the programming language manual. Need to interact with the community of related programming languages ​​and learn from examples that require manual adjustments to apply to the problem at hand.

Mimo does not have any of these important factors - it is actually a "rotten" application that presents you with more theories than practical applications. It itself can serve as an introduction to terms you might encounter in actual projects, but its actual value is highly questionable.

Granted, I might have missed some of the killer features in the premium version, but £55 a year and can only be paid by year, it feels like an app visitor trap, especially in the free part of the app lacks quality In the case of

As an educator, I have never had any problems referring third-party (non-SitePoint) content providers to people – my desire is to see people get good training and direct profit is not a priority Considered. The pie is big enough to accommodate all of us, a well-trained developer community is good for everyone in the long run – many people start applying to become our authors and then are recommended to some skill-enhancing resources and in Returning a few years later, getting welcomed and becoming a capable contributor.

However, Mimo is not such a resource—but it can be. By upgrading, such as emphasizing the social aspect, providing a simple REPL for languages ​​that can support it (PHP, JS, Ruby, HTML), improving the free portion of the course (typos, explanation, wording – general copy editing and course design, In fact), different pricing models and more practical approaches, Mimo can be an important factor in many people's education programs. I've been stuck in a queue or traffic for a lot of 10 minutes and it would be invaluable to be able to learn something useful in such an easy-to-understand way in my spare time.

I hope Mimo is lucky and will view them in a future version of the app.

FAQs (FAQs) about Duolingo PHP and Mimo

How effective is learning PHP through Duolingo and Mimo?

Duolingo and Mimo both provide unique ways to learn PHP. Duolingo adopts a gamified approach to make learning fun and engaging. Mimo, on the other hand, provides a more structured learning path, including interactive exercises and practical projects. The effectiveness of learning PHP through these platforms depends heavily on learners’ dedication, consistency and the amount of practice they devote to. Both platforms provide a solid foundation for beginners, but to gain proficiency, additional resources and exercises are recommended.

Can I become a professional PHP developer using Duolingo and Mimo?

While Duolingo and Mimo can provide a good foundation for PHP, becoming a professional developer requires a deeper understanding of the language, its framework, and practical applications. These platforms are excellent starting points, but to become a professional, you need to supplement your studies with more advanced resources, practice coding regularly, engage in practical projects, and constantly update your knowledge as technology advances.

What are the main differences between Duolingo and Mimo's PHP teaching methods?

Duolingo takes a gamified approach to teaching PHP, making it fun and engaging. It breaks up complex concepts into small pieces of courses, making it easier for beginners to master. Mimo, on the other hand, provides a more structured learning path. It provides interactive exercises, practical projects and a community of learners to support. Mimo's approach is more comprehensive and immersive, allowing for a deeper understanding of PHP.

What are the limitations of learning PHP through Duolingo and Mimo?

While Duolingo and Mimo are excellent platforms for beginners, they do have their limitations. They provide a basic understanding of PHP, but they may not delve into more advanced topics. Furthermore, the practical projects provided may not be as complex or challenging as the actual projects. Therefore, it is recommended to use these platforms as a starting point and supplement your learning with other resources.

How does community support in Mimo enhance the learning experience?

Mimo provides a community of learners who can provide support, share experiences and provide insights. This community aspect can greatly enhance the learning experience because it allows learners to learn from each other, ask questions, share their progress and gain motivation. It also provides a platform to connect with other learners and professionals in the field.

Can I learn other programming languages ​​on Duolingo and Mimo?

Yes, both Duolingo and Mimo offer courses in several other programming languages. Duolingo offers HTML, CSS and JavaScript courses, while Mimo offers courses such as Python, JavaScript, Swift and more. This allows learners to expand their coding skills outside of PHP.

How much time should I spend on Duolingo and Mimo to learn PHP?

How much time you should spend on these platforms learn PHP depends on your personal goals and timing. But consistency is key when learning a new language. It is recommended to spend at least one hour a day studying and practicing PHP.

Are Duolingo and Mimo suitable for absolute beginners in PHP?

Yes, both Duolingo and Mimo are designed for beginners. They break down complex concepts into easy-to-understand lessons and provide a large number of practice questions. This makes them an excellent choice for absolute beginners in PHP.

Duolingo and Mimo offer certificates after completing PHP courses?

Mimo provides a certificate after completing the course and can be shared on LinkedIn or other professional networks. However, Duolingo does not currently offer certificates for its PHP courses.

Is there any cost to learn PHP on Duolingo and Mimo?

Duolingo offers its courses for free, while Mimo adopts a subscription model. Mimo offers a free trial, after which you will need to pay a monthly or annual fee to access its courses. Mimo's subscription fee varies depending on the plan you choose.

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