I've been teaching programming classes (mostly Ruby, Python, and PostgreSQL -- and for a long time, Perl) for more than 10 years. People ask me to come to their companies and teach these technologies to them, and they're willing to pay me for it.
How many such courses have I ever taken? None. And I can't imagine ever taking one.
Like many others on HN, I've got a CS degree, and an ability (and interest) in teaching myself new languages, techniques, and tools. I also have the advantage of being self-employed, which means that I can (and do) take the time to learn new things, even if they're not directly related to the work that I do for clients.
So if I want to learn a new language, I'll get some books on the subject, read a bunch of blog postings, try out a lot of things... and then make mistakes, and learn from those.
Is this a great way to learn? I certainly think so. But it's not the only way, and I recognize that:
- Some people prefer the structure of a course, laying out the concepts in an organized way
- Some people don't have the time to experiment, and need the compressed time of a course, even if it means that they learn things less deeply
- Companies sometimes need to get a lot of people up to speed on a technology quickly, and a course can reduce that time somewhat, by having everyone at the same level
- Some people cannot learn without a teacher or guide.
I'll add that one of the advantages that my students get is lots of advice based on experience. It's not unusual for me to introduce a concept, or show them that something is possible, or answer a question -- and then say, "Please don't do this in your code, for your own sake and for the sake of anyone who will have to maintain it after you." Sure, people might learn this on their own, but I can give them a jump-start, based on my own trials and errors.
Now, is $2800 a lot to pay to learn Ruby? I don't think so, but it depends on all sorts of factors. I can assure you that for every day of a course that I teach, I've put in at least one day of preparation, and often much more than that. There are many courses out there, in many different shapes, forms, and price levels, that I don't think it's fair to bad-mouth someone who tries to charge that much. Believe me, if they're charging too much, the market will make it clear to them very quickly.
But if they're giving a good course, then it'll quickly be oversubscribed at that price (or beyond) -- and furthermore, participants will feel like they've gotten a good deal for their money.
How many such courses have I ever taken? None. And I can't imagine ever taking one.
Like many others on HN, I've got a CS degree, and an ability (and interest) in teaching myself new languages, techniques, and tools. I also have the advantage of being self-employed, which means that I can (and do) take the time to learn new things, even if they're not directly related to the work that I do for clients.
So if I want to learn a new language, I'll get some books on the subject, read a bunch of blog postings, try out a lot of things... and then make mistakes, and learn from those.
Is this a great way to learn? I certainly think so. But it's not the only way, and I recognize that:
- Some people prefer the structure of a course, laying out the concepts in an organized way
- Some people don't have the time to experiment, and need the compressed time of a course, even if it means that they learn things less deeply
- Companies sometimes need to get a lot of people up to speed on a technology quickly, and a course can reduce that time somewhat, by having everyone at the same level
- Some people cannot learn without a teacher or guide.
I'll add that one of the advantages that my students get is lots of advice based on experience. It's not unusual for me to introduce a concept, or show them that something is possible, or answer a question -- and then say, "Please don't do this in your code, for your own sake and for the sake of anyone who will have to maintain it after you." Sure, people might learn this on their own, but I can give them a jump-start, based on my own trials and errors.
Now, is $2800 a lot to pay to learn Ruby? I don't think so, but it depends on all sorts of factors. I can assure you that for every day of a course that I teach, I've put in at least one day of preparation, and often much more than that. There are many courses out there, in many different shapes, forms, and price levels, that I don't think it's fair to bad-mouth someone who tries to charge that much. Believe me, if they're charging too much, the market will make it clear to them very quickly.
But if they're giving a good course, then it'll quickly be oversubscribed at that price (or beyond) -- and furthermore, participants will feel like they've gotten a good deal for their money.