Catalog listing Microsoft Learn module

Train a machine learning model in Azure Databricks: Review

Item: Train a machine learning model in Azure Databricks
Rating: 2.6
Author: Tom W.

Named reviewer score 2.6 / 5

Teaching 2.0
Hands-on 3.0
Freshness 4.0
Value 3.0
Career fit 2.0

Reviewed by Tom W. Non-technical product manager

Provider: Microsoft Learn Format: Self-paced module with a sandboxed environment Time: Around 90 minutes Price: Free on Microsoft Learn. — Check current pricing on the official site.

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Reviewer's verdict

This is a guided product walkthrough, not a course. If you need to understand the 'why' and 'when' of ML in a business context, this isn't it. For a developer just needing to see the Azure Databricks ML workflow once, it's fine.

Decision summary

2.6/5 Last verified: August 31, 2026

Best for

Data engineers or developers who need a quick, guided tour of MLlib syntax in Databricks.

Watch for

Almost zero explanation of what the concepts mean or why certain steps are taken.

Teaching 2.0
Hands-on 3.0
Freshness 4.0
Value 3.0
Career fit 2.0

Who it's for

Data engineers or developers who need a quick, guided tour of MLlib syntax in Databricks.

Who should skip it

Product managers or anyone looking for the 'why' behind machine learning.

Pros

Provides a temporary, sandboxed Azure Databricks environment.
Follows a clear, step-by-step process for a single model.
The code is all there; it's mostly copy-paste.

Cons

Almost zero explanation of what the concepts mean or why certain steps are taken.
Feels like a product demo, not a training module for non-data scientists.
The title is misleading; it's about following instructions, not actually 'learning to train'.

In the final exercise notebook, cell `[5]` asks you to use a Linear Regression model, but there’s no talk about what that means or why that one. A `StringIndexer` and a `VectorAssembler` appear, but the text offers no mental model for what these tools are actually doing to the data. It's a vocabulary list without a dictionary.

My data science team talks about Spark and MLlib. I took this hoping to finally grasp what they're doing when they say they're 'training a model in Databricks.' This module didn't help. It's a mechanical tutorial for executing a pre-written script. I clicked 'Run Cell', things happened, a number called an 'RMSE' popped up, and the exercise was over. I couldn't tell you what that number signifies or whether it's good or bad. I don't feel any more equipped to have a conversation with my team now than I did 90 minutes ago.

The sandbox environment worked perfectly, which was nice. But it’s like being handed the keys to a race car, shown the ignition button, and then the tour guide just says 'now press it.' You've technically driven the car, but you haven't learned to drive.

Last verified: August 31, 2026. We re-check course details periodically — see our methodology. Pricing and availability can change; always confirm on the official site.

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