GitHub Copilot is revolutionising Learning To Code. Accelerate your skills, understand complex concepts faster, and build projects with confidence. Get started and see the difference!
Why GitHub Copilot Is a Game-Changer in Learning To Code
Alright, listen up.
The world’s changing.
AI isn’t just coming; it’s here.
Especially in Learning and Education.
Everyone’s talking about how AI is flipping the script.
And if you’re trying to learn how to code?
Or teach others?
You need to pay attention to this tool.
It’s called GitHub Copilot.
And trust me, it’s not just another gadget.
It’s built for exactly this.
Making the messy process of learning to code… less messy.
Way less messy.
Forget struggling alone for hours.
Forget getting stuck on syntax errors that make zero sense.
GitHub Copilot steps in.
It acts like a pair programmer.
Right there in your editor.
Suggesting code.
Filling in boilerplate.
Helping you understand *why* something works.
Or why it doesn’t.
This isn’t just about writing code faster.
It’s about learning smarter.
Understanding deeply.
Building confidence.
And let’s be real, finishing projects instead of giving up.
If you’re in Learning To Code, for yourself or others, this article is your roadmap.
To using a tool that just works.
To getting better results.
Faster.
Without the usual pain.
Table of Contents
- What is GitHub Copilot?
- Key Features of GitHub Copilot for Learning To Code
- Benefits of Using GitHub Copilot for Learning and Education
- Pricing & Plans
- Hands-On Experience / Use Cases
- Who Should Use GitHub Copilot?
- How to Make Money Using GitHub Copilot
- Limitations and Considerations
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is GitHub Copilot?
Okay, let’s break it down.
What exactly is GitHub Copilot?
Think of it as your personal coding assistant powered by AI.
It sits inside your code editor.
Like VS Code, Neovim, JetBrains IDEs, and others.
As you type code or comments, Copilot watches.
It understands the context.
Then, it suggests lines of code or even entire functions.
In real-time.
It’s trained on a massive dataset of public code.
So it’s seen a lot of different ways to write things.
It’s built by GitHub and OpenAI.
Yep, the OpenAI folks.
So you know the AI behind it is powerful.
Its main goal?
To help you write code faster.
With fewer errors.
And less searching on Stack Overflow.
While it’s marketed heavily to developers, it’s got massive potential for beginners.
And anyone involved in teaching code.
It takes away some of the repetitive stuff.
Allows you to focus on the bigger picture.
The logic.
The problem-solving.
Instead of hunting for a forgotten semicolon.
Or the exact syntax for a loop in a new language.
It’s not perfect, no AI is yet.
But it’s a game-changer.
Especially when you’re just getting started.
Or trying to onboard new people quickly.
For Learning To Code, this tool is like having an expert looking over your shoulder.
Constantly giving you hints.
Showing you standard patterns.
Helping you see what’s possible.
Without making you feel stupid for not knowing.
It’s about accelerating the learning loop.
You try something.
Copilot suggests.
You accept or modify.
You see results faster.
That’s the core idea.
Reduce the friction.
Increase the momentum.
For anyone stepping into the world of code.
Key Features of GitHub Copilot for Learning To Code
Alright, so what does this thing actually *do* that helps you learn?
It’s not just spitting out random code.
It has specific features that are gold for beginners.
- Code Suggestions:
This is the big one.
As you start typing, Copilot gives you suggestions.
Like auto-complete on steroids.
You might type `def square_root(` and it suggests the rest of the function.
Including docstrings explaining what it does.
For someone learning, this is huge.
It shows you how things are typically written.
Correct syntax, common function names, standard library usage.
You’re not just guessing.
You’re seeing examples live.
You can accept the suggestion with a simple tab.
Or cycle through other suggestions.
It’s like having a cheat sheet that appears exactly when you need it.
This helps you learn patterns and best practices faster.
- Comment-to-Code Functionality:
This is particularly powerful for learners.
You can write a comment describing what you want your code to do.
Like `# Create a function that calculates the area of a circle given the radius`.
And Copilot will often generate the function code for you.
This flips the learning process.
Instead of figuring out the code first, you articulate the *intent*.
Then you see how that intent translates into actual code.
You can study the generated code.
See the variables used, the formulas applied, the return statements.
It helps bridge the gap between understanding the *idea* and writing the *implementation*.
It’s a great way to learn how to structure code based on requirements.
- Explaining Code (Copilot Chat):
This is the newer, even more useful part.
With Copilot Chat, you can highlight a block of code.
And ask Copilot to explain it.
“Explain this Python function.”
“What does this regular expression do?”
It can break down complex logic into plain language.
Explain variable names, control flow, library functions.
This is massive for debugging and understanding code you didn’t write.
Or code you wrote yesterday and already forgot about.
It’s like having a patient tutor available 24/7.
Who can instantly tell you what any piece of code is doing.
Without making you feel silly for asking.
You can also ask it to suggest ways to improve code.
Or find bugs.
This interactive element is incredibly valuable for deep learning.
Benefits of Using GitHub Copilot for Learning and Education
Okay, why should someone learning or teaching code bother with this?
What’s the upside?
It boils down to getting better results, faster, with less pain.
Here are some key benefits:
Accelerated Learning: This is the big one for Learning and Education. Copilot removes common roadblocks. Syntax errors become less frequent. Forgetting method names isn’t a showstopper. You spend less time fighting the tools and more time learning the concepts. Seeing correct code patterns suggested repeatedly helps reinforce them quickly.
Reduced Frustration: Getting stuck is the number one reason people give up on coding. Spending hours on a bug you can’t find is soul-crushing. Copilot helps by suggesting correct code upfront and by explaining confusing sections. This drastically cuts down on those moments of despair. Learning becomes less frustrating and more enjoyable.
Exposure to Best Practices: Because Copilot is trained on vast amounts of public code, it often suggests idiomatic and efficient ways to write code. While not always perfect, it gives learners exposure to common patterns and structures they might not find on their own early on. It’s a passive way to absorb good coding habits.
Understanding Codebases: For students working on larger projects or contributing to open source, understanding existing code is tough. Copilot Chat allows them to ask specific questions about parts of the code, getting instant explanations without needing to bother a mentor or instructor constantly. This independent exploration speeds up comprehension.
Experimentation and Exploration: Want to see how something works in a different language? Or try a new library? Copilot can quickly suggest basic usage patterns or translate simple functions. This lowers the barrier to experimentation, encouraging learners to try new things and broaden their skills.
Faster Project Completion: Let’s be honest, finishing projects is motivating. Copilot speeds up coding by handling boilerplate and suggesting implementations. Learners can build more complex projects faster, seeing their ideas come to life, which is a huge confidence boost. This practical application is key to solidifying learning.
Enhanced Teaching: Educators can use Copilot too. They can quickly generate example code, demonstrate different implementations, or even use it to help explain complex topics by having the AI break them down. It’s a tool that can augment the teaching process, freeing up instructor time for more in-depth discussions and personal help.
Improved Code Quality (Eventually): While early suggestions might need tweaking, getting used to seeing well-formed code helps beginners understand what ‘good’ code looks like. Over time, internalising these patterns leads to writing better code themselves.
It’s about creating a feedback loop that’s much tighter than traditional methods. You write, you get suggestions, you learn from the suggestions, you write better code next time. Simple. Effective.
Pricing & Plans
Okay, what’s this cost?
Because nothing truly valuable is free forever, right?
GitHub Copilot isn’t free for most users.
There was a technical preview, but that’s over.
They offer a couple of main plans.
There’s a “Copilot for Individuals” plan.
This is typically what a student or individual learner would use.
It costs around $10 per month.
Or you can pay annually for a slight discount, around $100 per year.
For this price, you get access to the core features.
Code suggestions, comment-to-code, and usually access to Copilot Chat (though this can sometimes be in preview or have specific access requirements depending on the editor).
They also offer “Copilot for Business”.
This is for organisations, companies, and perhaps educational institutions looking for wider deployment.
It costs around $19 per user per month.
Business plans often include additional features like policy management and privacy controls.
Crucially for education, GitHub offers Copilot for free to verified students, teachers, and open-source contributors.
This is massive.
If you’re a student or an educator at an accredited institution, check the GitHub Global Campus programme.
You might qualify for free access.
This removes the cost barrier entirely for many in Learning To Code.
How does it compare to alternatives?
Well, there aren’t many direct, full-fledged competitors specifically trained and integrated like Copilot *within* the editor across multiple languages.
Other AI models can generate code snippets.
Like OpenAI’s own models via API.
Or tools like Code Interpreter in ChatGPT.
Or Google’s AlphaCode.
But these are often separate tools you interact with via a chat interface or website.
Copilot’s power is its tight integration into your workflow.
It’s suggesting as you type, right where you are.
You don’t leave your coding environment.
You don’t copy and paste back and forth.
This seamless experience is what sets it apart.
For an individual learner, $10/month is an investment.
But if it saves you hours of frustration per week?
Or helps you understand concepts faster?
The ROI could be massive in terms of saved time and accelerated skill acquisition.
And if you qualify for the free education plan?
It’s a no-brainer.
Hands-On Experience / Use Cases
Enough theory.
What does using this thing actually look like when you’re learning?
Let’s paint a picture.
Imagine you’re learning Python.
You’re trying to write a script that reads a CSV file and calculates the average of a column.
You start typing:
`import pandas as pd` (Copilot probably suggests the `as pd` part).
Then you think, “Okay, I need to load the file.”
You type `df = pd.read_cs`
Copilot suggests `df = pd.read_csv(‘your_file.csv’)`.
Saves you looking up the exact function name and arguments.
Next, you need to calculate the average of a column named ‘Value’.
You start typing `average_value = df[‘Value’].me`
Copilot suggests `average_value = df[‘Value’].mean()`.
Again, saves a quick search.
Now, you want to print the result clearly.
You type `print(f”The average value is: {average_value}”)`
Copilot probably suggests the whole f-string format.
Simple example, I know.
But for a beginner, finding those exact method names and syntax is a huge hurdle.
Copilot provides them instantly.
Now, let’s use the comment-to-code feature.
You’re learning JavaScript and need to fetch data from an API.
You write:
`// Function to fetch user data from /api/users`
Copilot might suggest:
async function fetchUserData() {
try {
const response = await fetch('/api/users');
if (!response.ok) {
throw new Error(`HTTP error! status: ${response.status}`);
}
const data = await response.json();
return data;
} catch (error) {
console.error("Fetching user data failed:", error);
throw error; // Re-throw or handle as needed
}
}
Boom. A complete, functional code block.
With error handling.
As a learner, you didn’t have to remember `fetch`, `await`, `async`, `try…catch`, `response.json()`.
You just described what you wanted.
Now, your task is to **understand** the code that was generated.
Read through it.
If something is unclear, use Copilot Chat.
Highlight `await fetch(‘/api/users’)`.
Ask: “What does `await` do here?”
Copilot Chat explains asynchronous operations and promises.
Highlight the `try…catch` block.
Ask: “Why is this `try…catch` block used?”
Copilot Chat explains error handling.
This turns Copilot from a code generator into a powerful learning tool.
You use it to get a first draft or a suggestion.
Then you use its chat functionality to understand *why* that suggestion is correct or how it works.
It’s active learning.
Not just passively copying.
For educators, Copilot can quickly generate multiple examples for a concept.
“Show me how to loop through a list in Python using a `for` loop.”
“Now show me using a `while` loop.”
“Show me how to do both in JavaScript.”
Saves preparation time.
Allows instructors to demonstrate variations easily.
The usability is high because it lives where you code.
The results for learners?
Faster progress, deeper understanding through active questioning, and less time stuck on the small stuff.
It helps you build momentum, which is key in Learning To Code.
Who Should Use GitHub Copilot?
Who gets the most mileage out of this thing, especially in the context of learning?
Pretty much anyone involved in or Learning To Code.
Here’s a breakdown:
Absolute Beginners: If you’ve just started coding, maybe you’re doing an online course or following tutorials. Copilot is like training wheels. It helps you write syntactically correct code from the start. It shows you how functions and methods are typically used. It reduces early frustration, which is crucial for sticking with it.
Students (High School, University, Bootcamps): This is a prime audience. Whether you’re learning computer science theory or practical web development, Copilot can help with assignments, projects, and understanding lecture code. The free access for students is a huge perk here.
Self-Taught Learners: If you’re teaching yourself using documentation and online resources, Copilot is your constant companion. It fills the role of a mentor by suggesting code and explaining concepts. You can ask it specific questions about errors or confusing code snippets you find online.
Educators and Instructors: Teachers can use Copilot to quickly generate example code for lessons, create variations for exercises, or even help debug student code by asking Copilot for explanations or suggestions. It can be a tool *for* teaching, not just for the student.
People Learning New Languages or Frameworks: Even experienced developers who are picking up something new can benefit massively. Learning the syntax and idioms of a new language is time-consuming. Copilot accelerates this by suggesting common patterns and function calls in the new environment.
Anyone Working on Personal Projects While Learning: Building real projects is the best way to learn. Copilot helps you build faster. This means you get to the satisfying stage of having something *work* sooner, which keeps motivation high. It also helps you add features you might not have attempted alone due to complexity.
Coding Mentors and Tutors: Just like instructors, mentors can use Copilot to quickly generate alternative solutions or explanations when helping someone. It can make mentoring sessions more efficient and effective.
Essentially, if your workflow involves writing or understanding code, and you are in a learning phase (which, honestly, is everyone in tech), Copilot can help. It’s designed to reduce the friction of coding, making the learning path smoother and faster.
How to Make Money Using GitHub Copilot
Okay, let’s talk brass tacks.
Can you actually make money with GitHub Copilot, especially when your focus is Learning To Code?
Absolutely.
It’s not a direct money-making tool in itself like a platform for selling services.
But it makes *you* more efficient and capable.
And efficiency and capability translate directly into earning potential in the coding world.
- Service 1: Freelance Coding (Faster & Better):
This is the most straightforward.
If you’re learning to code with the goal of freelancing, Copilot is a superpower.
It helps you build simple websites, scripts, or automations much faster than you could manually.
Say a client needs a small Python script to process some data.
Copilot helps you write it quickly, even if you’re not a Python expert yet.
Faster delivery means you can take on more projects or charge competitive rates while saving time.
It helps you deliver higher quality by reducing simple errors.
You look more professional, even early in your career.
- Service 2: Tutoring/Mentoring with Enhanced Tools:
If you’re slightly ahead of someone else in your learning journey, you can tutor them.
Using Copilot makes you a more effective tutor.
You can quickly demonstrate different code approaches.
Use Copilot Chat to instantly explain complex concepts or library functions a student is struggling with.
Help them debug their code faster by using Copilot to identify potential issues.
Your sessions become more valuable, allowing you to charge for your time.
You’re not just teaching; you’re teaching *with* cutting-edge tools.
- Service 3: Building and Selling Small Projects/Tools:
Got an idea for a small web tool, a useful script, or a simple app?
Copilot helps you build it significantly faster.
Maybe it’s a tool for fellow learners, or something niche for a specific community.
Instead of spending months on a minimum viable product (MVP), you might get there in weeks.
This allows you to start selling or monetising your creation sooner.
Think simple data converters, browser extensions, utility scripts, or template generators.
Copilot reduces the development time investment needed to get a product to market.
Consider someone like “Alex” (not Hormozi, just a hypothetical Alex).
Alex is learning web development.
They get GitHub Copilot (maybe for free as a student).
They start taking small freelance gigs on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
Clients need simple landing pages, form validations, or basic API integrations.
Alex uses Copilot to generate boilerplate HTML/CSS, suggest JavaScript functions for form handling, and quickly write the fetch calls for APIs.
Tasks that would have taken Alex 4-6 hours of debugging and Stack Overflow searching now take 1-2 hours.
They can complete more projects per week.
Build confidence faster.
Get better reviews because the code is cleaner (with some review).
Let’s say Alex charges £30 per hour.
Saving 3 hours per project on just two projects per week is 6 hours saved.
That’s £180 per week of potential extra earning time or just saved time.
Over a month, that’s £720.
The £10 monthly fee is peanuts compared to that.
Or if they build a small tool and sell it for £20 a pop, selling just one a day makes real money, and Copilot helped them build it much quicker.
The value isn’t in Copilot *giving* you money.
It’s in making you a significantly more productive, less frustrated coder.
Which directly increases your earning potential in the job market or freelance space.
Limitations and Considerations
Okay, so it’s not a magic bullet.
No tool is.
GitHub Copilot is powerful, but it has limitations, especially for learners.
You need to be aware of these.
Accuracy Isn’t 100%: Copilot generates suggestions based on patterns. It doesn’t *understand* your specific project context or requirements perfectly. Sometimes, the suggestions will be wrong, inefficient, or just not what you intended. You can’t blindly accept everything it offers.
Requires Oversight: This ties into accuracy. As a learner, you still need to understand the code being suggested. If you just accept code you don’t understand, you’re not learning. You’re just copying. You need to review, question, and verify the code Copilot generates. Use Copilot Chat to understand *why* it suggested something.
Potential for Copying Bad Practices: Because it’s trained on public code, it can sometimes suggest code that is old, inefficient, insecure, or uses deprecated methods. This is where critical thinking comes in. Learners need to develop the ability to evaluate the quality of the suggested code.
Over-Reliance: There’s a risk of becoming overly dependent on Copilot. If you rely on it to write *everything*, you won’t develop your own problem-solving skills or memorise syntax. It should be a co-pilot, not an auto-pilot. Use it to speed up boilerplate or get hints, but try to write core logic yourself first.
Security Concerns: Code generated by Copilot could potentially include security vulnerabilities if not carefully reviewed. This is less of an issue for basic learning exercises but becomes critical when building applications that handle sensitive data. Always review code for security best practices.
Licensing and Copyright: This was a big early debate. Code generated by Copilot is based on public code, some of which has restrictive licenses. While GitHub has addressed some concerns and provides features to help identify potential matches to public code, it’s a complex area. For most learners and small projects, this is less of an immediate concern, but it’s worth being aware of, especially if building something for commercial use.
Learning Curve (for effective use): While easy to install, learning to prompt Copilot effectively (especially in chat) to get the best suggestions takes practice. Learning when *not* to use it is also important.
For someone in Learning To Code, the biggest risk is using it as a crutch rather than a tool to accelerate understanding.
Use it to see examples, explain code, and speed up repetitive tasks.
Don’t use it to avoid thinking or understanding.
It’s a powerful assistant, but you’re still the driver.
Keep that in mind, and you’ll get immense value without hindering your actual learning process.
Final Thoughts
Alright, wrap it up.
Is GitHub Copilot worth it for Learning To Code?
Absolutely.
For anyone serious about learning to code, or teaching it effectively, this tool is a major advantage.
It tackles the friction points that cause so many people to give up.
Syntax errors, forgetting function names, not knowing how to start implementing a feature.
It provides instant examples, explanations, and code suggestions.
This speeds up practice, reduces frustration, and helps build momentum.
The free access for students and educators through GitHub Global Campus is huge.
It removes the financial barrier for the primary audience who could benefit most.
Even at £10/month, the time saved and the accelerated learning can easily justify the cost.
It’s not a magic wand.
You still need to do the work of understanding.
You still need to learn the fundamentals.
You still need to debug your logic (Copilot helps with syntax, less so with algorithmic errors).
But it makes the path smoother.
It provides scaffolding.
It’s like having a helpful peer programmer available instantly whenever you’re stuck or unsure.
For educators, it’s a tool to create examples faster and explain concepts dynamically.
For learners, it’s a tool to practise more, get stuck less, and build projects faster.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of Learning and Education, ignoring AI tools like Copilot isn’t smart.
They are becoming part of the standard workflow for developers.
Learning to use them effectively is a skill in itself.
My recommendation?
If you’re learning to code, or teaching it, try GitHub Copilot.
See if you qualify for the free plan.
Integrate it into your coding editor.
Start using the suggestions.
Start using the chat feature to explain code.
Be mindful of its limitations – don’t just copy/paste blindly.
Use it as a tool to *enhance* your learning, not replace it.
It won’t write production-ready code for you automatically (especially complex stuff).
But it will make the process of getting from “I have no idea” to “Okay, I think I get this” much, much faster.
It’s a game-changer for sure.
Don’t get left behind.
Give it a go.
Visit the official GitHub Copilot website
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is GitHub Copilot used for?
GitHub Copilot is an AI pair programmer that provides code suggestions and explanations directly within your code editor.
It helps developers write code faster, reduce errors, and understand existing codebases.
It’s particularly useful for speeding up repetitive tasks and exploring unfamiliar code or languages.
2. Is GitHub Copilot free?
No, GitHub Copilot is generally a paid service with individual and business plans.
However, it is offered for free to verified students, teachers, and maintainers of popular open-source projects through the GitHub Global Campus program.
3. How does GitHub Copilot compare to other AI tools?
GitHub Copilot is unique in its deep integration directly into code editors, providing real-time, context-aware code suggestions as you type.
Other AI tools might offer code generation via chat interfaces or separate web tools.
Copilot’s strength lies in its seamless workflow integration.
4. Can beginners use GitHub Copilot?
Yes, absolutely. GitHub Copilot is extremely beneficial for beginners.
It helps them learn correct syntax, discover common code patterns, and understand code through its explanation features.
It reduces early frustration and accelerates the learning process, provided it’s used thoughtfully and not just for blindly copying code.
5. Does the content created by GitHub Copilot meet quality and optimization standards?
Code suggested by GitHub Copilot can be a good starting point, often following common patterns and syntax.
However, its quality depends on the context and the underlying training data.
Generated code might not always be the most efficient, secure, or appropriate for your specific needs.
It requires review and often modification to meet specific quality, performance, or optimization standards.
6. Can I make money with GitHub Copilot?
Yes, you can make money with GitHub Copilot indirectly.
By making you a faster and more capable coder, it increases your efficiency.
This allows you to complete freelance projects quicker, build and potentially sell small tools faster, or offer enhanced tutoring services.
It’s a productivity booster that translates into increased earning potential in coding-related work.
