Self-study does have some clear advantages that make it a popular choice for IT training, but it also has disadvantages. Keep in mind, procrastination is the enemy of self-study. Basically, procrastination lets low priority tasks take precedent over higher priority ones. It is watching television, socializing, sleeping, or any other possible distraction that will take precedence over studying. Before embarking on a self-study program, it is a good idea to be aware of your personality and study habits. Self-paced study is not for everyone and not for the faint of heart. It requires an extraordinary level of motivation and resourcefulness. If you already have a closet full of half completed projects and courses, it may be better to try a classroom and free up some closet space.
Advantages of Self-Study
Self-study is flexible. It does not require a student to attend a training institution or adhere to the time requirements of classes. People who are short on time or need to continue working a current job find training in their spare time a desirable option, perhaps their only option.
Self-study is usually less expensive than other methods of training. Classroom instruction can become expensive; therefore, people on a budget may lean towards self-study.
With self-study, the student typically sets the pace of the course. A student has the option of spending more time on difficult material. In addition, self-study affords the student the opportunity to delve further into areas of particular interest.
Because self-study is exactly that, it is easy to fit around a part- or full-time job or other commitments such as looking after children.
Disadvantages of Self-Study
If you get confused by a principle or certain piece of information, help is not at hand. You almost certainly can find an explanation that helps you understand, but this may take time and in some cases money. This disadvantage can be negated in part by joining a user group, newsgroup, or an Internet study group for your chosen subject.
Some of the costs associated with self-study may not at first be apparent. Computer books, especially training materials, are surprisingly expensive. In addition, to learn many subjects you need computer hardware and software, which also may be expensive. Many companies provide evaluation or demonstration versions of software that can help a great deal, but if it becomes necessary to purchase new computer hardware for your learning, make sure that the figures add up.You may reason that you can reuse the new computer after your self-study period is completed.
Some courses are simply inappropriate for self-study. Some courses require thousands of dollars of hardware to create a working environment, while others have concepts or procedures that are simply too complex to learn on your own. In these (isolated) cases, it is best to seek out a classroom or Web-based training program.
You may find that you can find a study buddy who is interested in learning the same subject at the same time as you, but most likely those embarking on a program of self-study will be working alone. This isolation can lead to motivational and productivity issues. In a classroom environment, you would be amazed at how much you can learn from other students.You not only learn about the technology, but learn which companies are the big local employers, and where can you get the best deals on a new PC. Many people also find that the peer pressure, as long as it is kept in context, can be a useful motivator for studying. It is hard to put a price on either of these aspects, but they are things worth considering.
Something to Be Aware of
One challenge that those who choose self-study encounter is that of quantifying or substantiating what they have learned. Even though you spent the last six months holed up in your basement, having pizzas delivered, and sleeping at your terminal while learning the intimate details ofWindows NT, how do you convey that fact to a potential employer? Most other forms of training offer some kind of course completion certificate or provide examinations that can be used as evidence of your learning experience. Self-study offers no such built-in luxuries. So, realistically, those pursuing a self-study program should do so with the aim of taking some kind of certification test that can prove their knowledge.
Classroom Instruction
Of all the training methods available, classroom-based training is the most expensive, and arguably, the most effective. Without stating the obvious, the premise of classroom-based instruction is that a group of people, led by an instructor, work their way through a course of material at an approximate preset pace. Sounds ideal doesn't it.The only fly in the ointment is that with instructor led, or classroom-based training, a significant part of the responsibility for learning is assumed by the instructor and the institution providing the course. This assumption effectively represents a loss of control by you over the learning environment and process. Although this detail does not have to be a problem, and in most cases it isn't, but it means that before you sign up for training you need to consider the following points:
Ask for evidence of the instructor's qualifications and experience. Ask how long the instructor has been teaching, but don't necessarily back away from someone with little teaching experience. If the instructor has just come out of the workplace, you can assume that this teacher will have up-to-date and very valuable real world skills.
Ask the institution if the class has a maximum number of students. Your expectations should relate to the price you are paying for the course and the type of institution that is providing the training. Private training companies offering short (two to five day) courses should generally contain no more than 12 students. Academic classes that last for months or more may have higher numbers of students, but remember that the instructor/student ratio can have a major impact on how effective the course is on an individual basis.
