Training on a budget. Is Self-Paced worth it or should I go for Instructor led?

[Ben_7128]

I attended Core 1 and 2 in 2006, and I would say that I have learned a lot but know there is a lot more to learn.  I am looking at the Core 3 as well as Testand 1, and the prices for the On-line Instructor Led is almost double the On-line Self-Paced.  So I have two questions.

1. Is the Self-Paced worth it or will I get so much more from the Instructor that it is best to pay the extra.

2. How many days should I plan on working on the Self-Paced, if I want to take it all at one time.  The Instructor version is 4 half day sessions, so I figure the Self-Paced could be done in a week or so but just wandering if anyone else has input.

Thank you for any info you have.

Ben

[JÞB]

Both have advantages.  With the instructor led course you obviously have the instructor available for questions.  With the self-paced you will need to dig through the help file to address questions and use these forums when you get stuck.

In general I am finding the self paced courses valuable.  Some cosmetic issues with the material but the key concepts a developer needs to know are covered.

[_Bryan]

Check out this page if you have a current service contract.

http://www.ni.com/services/software_benefits.htm

Self paced training can be decent if you actually get the time to do it.  Noithing like trying to do it at work and have people trying to have you do multiple things while you are trying to do the course.

Instructor led courses can be good because of the instant feed back when you have questions and can expand on problems.  But sometimes that can pack so much in a class you don't have time to absorb all of it.

My begining and intermediate classes were taken through extended education at a local college one night a week.  It was good and allowed time to absorb what was going on.  I have completed a few self paced courses as well which allows better absobtion as well, if you can get dedicated time to complete it.

[crossrulz]

I prefer the instructor led OFFSITE.  The reason I say this is because you really need to dedicate your time to learning the material.  If you are distracted by other things (work), you won't get nearly as much out of the coarse.  And if you are in a training coarse at your work, I almost guarantee you will get interrupted.

Now if you can get people to leave you alone and you dedicate time to the online courses, then those should work well (I haven't tried them yet, but heard good feedback).

[apok]

i vote for the classroom atmosphere, you can ask "why is this...","what about that..",and my favorite: "when is lunch and where are the good local restaurants at?"

[_Bryan]

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@apok wrote:

i vote for the classroom atmosphere, you can ask "why is this...","what about that..",and my favorite: "when is lunch and where are the good local restaurants at?"

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I just got back from a week in Austin for training on some other software.  It was a good time and the class was ok as well.

[billko]

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@crossrulz wrote:

I prefer the instructor led OFFSITE.  The reason I say this is because you really need to dedicate your time to learning the material.  If you are distracted by other things (work), you won't get nearly as much out of the coarse.  And if you are in a training coarse at your work, I almost guarantee you will get interrupted.

Now if you can get people to leave you alone and you dedicate time to the online courses, then those should work well (I haven't tried them yet, but heard good feedback).

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Of course you could always do it from home, where you won't get distracted.  After all, it *is* an investment, you may as well take it seriously.

That being said, if you are truly new to it, take the instructor-led courses.  The self=paced stuff is great for review, though. and that's what I'm doing right now.  PLUS, I've learned a few tidbits I'd have never known otherwise.  I am almost ready for the first rung - CLAD.

[DFGray]

<fullDisclosure>I am currently an NI employee, but was not when I learned LabVIEW.</fullDisclosure>

I think the answer to your question depends upon how you learn.  Some people learn better self-paced; some learn better in a classroom situation.  For most, self-paced works better if you have a concrete problem to solve.  In a classroom, the problems are predefined.  Know thyself and pick your best mode of learning.