Seeing how others do it - PHP training
Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2008-05-17 09:43:25 - Graham EllisWe're always keeping an eye open for "how others do it" - we're quite happy to learn from others in the training business. But more often than not, we'll spot something and say "I would never do THAT" or "that wouldn't work for us". Here are some I found on a single site this morning.
"All of our courses are have a strong practical bias, with exercises that will help trainees grasp the essentials of what they're trying to learn, preparing them for the sorts of tasks they'll encounter when they start developing real-world applications. Therefore, as a matter of course, we will always cover essential aspects like security and best practices."
I agree with that. Completely. I could have written exactly the same thing about our courses, although I would probably have written learning rather than trying to learn as I know you WILL learn with us!
"Scheduled Courses ... if you are to be the only attendee on a particular day, it'll cost slightly more.".
Cheeky! If the company running the public course has only managed to sell one seat, they'll charge you slightly more - their definition of "slightly" being about 90 pounds
"The beginners PHP training course (30th June to 4th July) looks like it'll be going ahead."
Ah - so you can register for a course and they'll decide later whether it's worth their while to run it.
"if you want a ... cheap way of learning how to program ..."
My view is that quality is more important than price - yet I note that their daily rate if they've only managed to sell one seat is exactly the same as ours.
"Working with databases may be covered subject to delegate progress"
If you are held back because there are some slow people on the course, you'll miss out on this important subject.
"Each course will run from 10am to 4pm, with lunch provided."
That's a mighty short day - about five hours after breaks.
"Delegates have access to our training notes for a year after the course."
And after a year, tough!
"Generally this implies small groups (<10) at one time."
The word "generally" worries me, and my definition of small is a couple lower. The chances are that in a group of 10 there will be one or two slower ones, and (see above) subjects will be left out.
"If you would like to attend, phone or email us, so we can reserve your place"
What - no online booking system? When PHP is used as a shopping cart application ;-) ?
Here's my contrast: - About Well House Consultants PHP courses
At Well House Consultants, you can book a place on our public course and the booking will be your assurance that it WILL run - even if you're the only delegate - and at the good price you signed up to pay too. We will cover all subjects that are listed on the course description - the only exception being that we may skip a non-key subject which is not required by any delegate on the course. Delegates have access to the equipment and training room around the clock, the tutor is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at least, and the course runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
We provide printed training notes which are yours to keep for ever, and all of our examples are available for you to run (exception - scripts that illustrate security holes) and also copy and paste our source from our server - with no time limit. We limit the number of delegates on a public course to just eight so that there's plenty of time for each individual to cover his / her own specific questions and concerns. Each of our training modules is accompanied by practical exercises and additional examples, so that everyone gets a chance to practise what they have just learned during the course. There is plenty of optional material so that faster delegates can study, with the tutors help, to a greater depth until slower delegates have completed a minimum practical.
We welcome phone calls and emails as many delegate want to talk through their requirements and ensure they have the right course - but you're welcome to book online too - the choice is yours.
And yes, we provide lunch too.
Sound a bit like an advert? Perhaps I had better give you some URLs:
• PHP Programming - 4 days
• PHP Technique Workshop - 2 days
• Object Orientation in PHP - 1 day
and tell you of our many years of experience, regularly revised notes, new laptops for each delegate to use during the course, associated accommodation for delegates who travel a distance, library of over 600 books ... and wicked real coffee machine!