ARCHIVE: IT CAREER EXPERT
Learning Visual Basic -- Part 2
John Smiley
07.13.2000
Rating: --- (out of 5)
Learning Visual Basic -- Part 2
This is a continuation of my previous article, in which I answered the
question, how to learn a new programming language. In that article, I
stated that the answer to that question depends on many factors: Do you
already know a programming language? How much time do you have to learn
one? How do you learn best?
Last time, I described CTEC's (Certified Technical Education Centers),
and pointed out these may not be everyone--in fact, they may be a good
choice if you already know the programming language you are there to
learn!
Are there other alternatives?
Yes, there are plenty.
For instance, there are computer schools that, with programs of varying
lengths, turn out graduates that are employable to some degree or
other. In my area, schools such as the Computer Learning Center and the
Chubb Institute have programs that range from 3 months to a year and
teach a variety of programming languages and PC skills. The advantage
of a program like this is that you are spending a lot of quality time
learning the language. When you are finished, you know it well. The
disadvantages are time and cost. You might spend 3 full months, 8 hours
or so per day, 5 days per week, learning the language. If you are
already employed, this is not a viable alternative, although most of
these schools do offer evening hours. Another disadvantage is cost---
these
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schools are not cheap.
A quicker, cheaper alternative is the Professional Development or
Certificate programs that a number of Colleges and Universities are now
offering. I teach in such a program myself, and I think they're ideal.
For instance, my Visual Basic course meets one time per week, 3 hours
per session, for 10 weeks. The amount of classroom time is just about
the same as a CTEC, but spaced out more. This permits the students to
learn more on their own, spending time in between meetings reading the
textbook (and it's an excellent one), doing exercises, and working on a
class project.
This one time per week session is less encompassing than a Computer
School--but it's also cheaper, and is a good choice for those already
employed.
Please see 'Learning Visual Basic -- Part 1' posted on searchvb.com:
http://searchVB.techtarget.com/tip/0,,sid8_gci282348,00.html
Next time -- Online learning alternatives
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Written by John Smiley, MCP, MCSD and MCT, author, and adjunct
professor of Computer Science at Penn State University in Abington,
Philadelphia University, and Holy Family College. John has been
teaching computer programming for nearly 20 years.
John Smiley is president of Smiley and Associates,
http://www.johnsmiley.com/smass/smass.htm a computer consulting firm
located in New Jersey.
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