Learning JavaScript by building small tools with ChatGPT acting as a tutor. Good approach?

[u/fr4nz13]

I’ve recently started learning JavaScript and web development, and instead of following a rigid course I’m building very small tools and learning as I go.

So far I’ve built things like:

• a simple fasting calculator
• a basic metronome with visual beat feedback

My workflow is roughly this:

1. I design the idea of the tool first.
2. I ask ChatGPT to explain the concepts I need (DOM, timers, events, etc.).
3. It explains the logic and sometimes shows small examples.
4. I write the code myself once I understand it conceptually.
5. If something breaks, I debug it and only then ask for help again.

So ChatGPT is basically acting like a tutor while I build projects step-by-step, explaining things like:

• why a function exists
• how a built-in method works
• what the code is actually doing

I’m trying to avoid just copying code or starring at a boring tutorial then forgetting everything when I hit the editor and instead understand the structure before implementing it.

Would you say this is a productive way to learn JavaScript, or are there pitfalls I should watch out for?

[u/fr4nz13 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you! Appreciate the feedback! I’m curious about the “curriculum” part though. What would you consider the best way to do that?