Learn Prompt Engineering
Review

A free, beginner-friendly introduction to prompt engineering fundamentals from Codecademy

Easy
  • Last updated 26/06/2025
by Codecademy

What you'll learn ? Overview

Prompt engineering can feel like magic if you know what you’re doing! Codecademy’s “Learn Prompt Engineering” course offers a fast, practical entry point into the world of generative AI, designed for beginners who want to learn how to get better results from tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini.

This free, one-hour course is interactive from the start. Rather than passively reading through lessons, you’re encouraged to apply concepts right away. You’ll experiment with zero-shot, one-shot, few-shot, and chain-of-thought prompting techniques as you go.

The course is led by Hisham Touma, an Associate Instructional Designer at Codecademy, who explains concepts clearly without drowning learners in jargon. The material is structured around real-world use cases, including text generation, code suggestions, and image creation. One highlight is the dedicated module on ethical AI use, covering topics like bias in language models and responsible prompt design.

It all wraps up with a sentiment analysis project that lets you practice your skills using actual AI tools. While the full content is free to access, you’ll need a Codecademy Plus or Pro subscription to receive a certificate of completion. With a 4.6 out of 5 rating from nearly 200 users, this course stands out as a well-paced, hands-on introduction for anyone curious about how to communicate more effectively with AI.

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Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

👉

Time commitment

light Light (1–5 Hours/Week)

👉

Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

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Goal

Learn A New Skill

Best suited for:

Complete beginners curious about AI, professionals wanting a quick primer on prompt engineering, students exploring AI careers, anyone seeking to improve their ChatGPT interactions

Instructor

Codecademy

Leading Online Coding Education Platform Legitimacy Score: 9/10
Codecademy is a pioneering online interactive platform offering free and paid coding classes in 13 programming languages. Founded in 2011 by Zach Sims and Ryan Bubinski, it has revolutionized tech education by providing accessible, engaging, and flexible learning experiences. The platform caters to beginners and experienced coders alike, offering courses in Python, Java, JavaScript, SQL, and more, along with web development and data science tracks.
Since its inception in 2011, Codecademy has grown exponentially, reaching millions of learners worldwide. In 2015, it partnered with the White House to provide coding education to disadvantaged groups. The company introduced its paid 'Pro' product in 2017, expanding its offerings. A significant milestone was reached in April 2022 when Skillsoft acquired Codecademy for $525 million, marking a new chapter in its growth trajectory.
  • Raised $42.5 million in funding by 2018
  • Partnered with Amazon for Alexa skills training in 2017
  • Launched iOS app 'Hour of Code' in 2013
  • Reached over 24 million users by 2014
  • Introduced Codecademy Pro in 2017, offering personalized learning plans
  • Acquired by Skillsoft for $525 million in 2022
  • Codecademy co-founder Zach Sims spoke at TechCrunch Disrupt NY in 2013
  • Participated in the Hour of Code initiative during Computer Science Education Week
  • Featured in various tech conferences and educational summits (specific events not verifiable)
  • Codecademy leverages multiple social media platforms to engage with its community. The company regularly shares coding tips, success stories, and industry insights across its channels. Their content strategy focuses on educational resources, career advice, and updates about new courses and features on the platform.

    Course Details

    • ⏱ Duration1
    • 📶 DifficultyEasy
    • ⌛ Access Lifetime
    • ⏰ Time investmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)

    🧠 Prerequisites

    None required, though Codecademy recommends completing their free "Learn How to Use ChatGPT" course first


    💻 Requirements

    Web browser, stable internet connection


    💸 Hidden Costs

    Off-platform projects may require access to AI tools like ChatGPT or Midjourney (free tiers available but may have limitations)


    🙋‍♂️ Support Options

    Codecademy community forums, no direct instructor support

    Course content

    • Module 1: Introduction to Prompt Engineering - What is Prompt Engineering? - The Art of the Prompt - Prompting Techniques - Quiz: Introduction to Prompt Engineering
    • Module 2: Prompt Engineering for Text Generation - Prompt Engineering for Text Generation - Zero-, One-, and Few-Shot Prompting - Chain-of-Thought Prompting - Quiz: Prompt Engineering for Text Generation
    • Module 3: Prompt Engineering for Code Generation - Prompt Engineering for Code Generation - Zero-, One-, and Few-Shot Prompting for Code - Using LLMs for Debugging - Quiz: Prompt Engineering for Code Generation
    • Module 4: Prompt Engineering for Image Generation - Prompt Engineering for Image Generation - Effective Image Prompts - Advanced Image Prompting Techniques - Quiz: Prompt Engineering for Image Generation
    • Module 5: Ethical Considerations in Prompt Engineering - Ethical Considerations in Prompt Engineering - Bias in LLMs - Responsible Prompt Engineering - Quiz: Ethical Considerations
    • Module 6: Learn Prompt Engineering: Off-Platform Project - Introduction to Prompt Engineering Project - Sentiment Analysis Project - Text, Code, and Image Generation Projects - Next Steps

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    Feedbacks

    Overall sentiment

    After analyzing user feedback across multiple platforms, we found consistently positive reactions from beginners who appreciate the course's clarity and practical approach. The main sentiment revolves around it being an excellent starting point, though experienced users find it too basic.

    Praised points

    • Accessible explanations that demystify AI prompting without requiring technical background
    • Interactive learning format that reinforces concepts through hands-on practice
    • Time-efficient delivery allowing completion in a single sitting

    Criticisms

    • Extremely brief coverage at only 1 hour, leaving advanced topics unexplored
    • Limited depth that won't satisfy professionals seeking comprehensive training
    • External tool requirements for projects that may incur additional costs

    Testimonials

    "Perfect crash course for AI prompt basics." – UsefulAI reviewer

     "The interactive format made things stick." – YouTube User

     "I learned the essentials in less than an hour!" – Reddit commenter

     "Great for total newbies but a bit too short." – ClassCentral user

     "Super easy to follow, but wish there was more depth." – Course aggregator reviewer

    Social insights

    Reddit discussions in r/PromptEngineering frequently recommend this course as a solid first step for newcomers. Users on r/ChatGPT appreciate its practical focus but consistently advise supplementing it with more advanced resources. Quora discussions echo similar sentiments, with professionals noting it's perfect for curious beginners but insufficient for career transitions.

    Video review

    Marketing Analysis

    Claim Verification

    The course promises a "beginner-friendly introduction" in "approximately 1 hour" and delivers exactly that. No inflated promises or misleading outcomes.

    Price History

    Consistently free since launch in 2023

    Upsell Practices

    Standard Codecademy approach, optional Plus/Pro subscription for certificates and additional features. Non-intrusive promotion.

    Student Success

    Users report gaining foundational understanding as advertised. No career transformation claims made or expected from a 1-hour intro course.

    Platform & Delivery

    Learning Platform

    Codecademy's proprietary platform offers a clean, intuitive interface with reliable performance and automatic progress saving

    Content Accessibility

    Browser-based access with mobile app available (Codecademy Go). Lessons aren't downloadable but remain accessible as long as the course is offered.

    Mobile Compatibility

    Fully responsive design works on all devices, though desktop provides the best experience for coding exercises

    Technical Requirements

    Modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge), stable internet connection

    Red flags check

    😬

    Complaints

    We found no significant complaints about the course content or delivery. The most common frustration relates to its brevity, which is clearly communicated upfront.

    😬

    Refund policy issues

    Not applicable since the course is free. Codecademy's paid subscriptions have standard refund policies with no reported issues.

    😬

    Marketing practices

    Codecademy markets this transparently as a beginner-level, 1-hour introduction. No misleading promises about career transformation or guaranteed income.

    😬

    Community feedback

    The Codecademy community forums show active, helpful discussions with no reports of technical issues or content problems.

    Is this course legit?

    Value For Money

    For a free resource, the value proposition is unbeatable. You get structured learning from a reputable platform with no financial risk.

    Conclusion

    After thoroughly examining "Learn Prompt Engineering," we can confidently say it's a legitimate, well-designed introduction to an increasingly important skill. Codecademy delivers on its promise of a beginner-friendly, 1-hour crash course that covers the essentials without overwhelming newcomers.
    The course's strength lies in its accessibility and practical focus. You won't become a prompt engineering expert after 1 hour (and Codecademy never claims you will), but you'll understand the fundamentals and be ready to explore more advanced concepts. The interactive format keeps you engaged, while the ethical considerations module adds important context often missing from technical tutorials.
    Is it perfect? No. The brevity means sacrificing depth, and serious learners will need additional resources. But for what it is, a free, no-commitment introduction to prompt engineering, it's hard to beat. We recommend it as an excellent first step in your AI learning journey.

    FAQs about this course

    Yes, the course content is completely free. You only pay if you want a certificate through Codecademy Plus/Pro subscription.

    The course takes approximately 1 hour to complete in a single sitting.

    No coding or technical background required. The course is designed for absolute beginners.

    The certificate confirms course completion and is available only with a paid Codecademy subscription. The learning content itself remains free.

    This 1-hour intro course provides foundational knowledge only. You'll need significantly more training for AI career opportunities.

    Yes, through the Codecademy Go mobile app or mobile browser, though desktop provides the best experience.

    The course itself has no hidden costs. However, the final projects suggest using external AI tools that may have usage limits on free tiers.

    Hisham Touma, an Associate Instructional Designer at Codecademy with expertise in curriculum development.

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    Learn Prompt Engineering screenshot
    Learn Prompt Engineering Review
    $ 0
    Total score: 8,6/10 ⭐
    • Duration1
    • DifficultyEasy
    • Release Date01/2023
    • Format Self-Paced
    • AccessLifetime
    • Time InvestmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)
    • Payment Options One-Time
    • LanguageEnglish
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    Learn Prompt Engineering Review