Computeach

[JakeCop]

Hi there, I was looking for companies that offer web design courses in the UK and wondered if anyone had any knowledge or experience with Computeach?

It's not for me, it's for a friend with limited computer literacy. Just wondered if anyone has come across them before, or knows of any UK based home learning courses like the ones they offer.

Thanks!

[Dan Williamson]

I suggest that you seriously tell your friend to save a few thousand and get some DVD video tutorials from Lynda or even read free tutorials and articles on the internet.

Computeach are really Computhief, they teach you nothing of value and charge you a load of money.

[JakeCop]

Originally Posted by Dan Williamson

I suggest that you seriously tell your friend to save a few thousand and get some DVD video tutorials from Lynda or even read free tutorials and articles on the internet.

Computeach are really Computhief, they teach you nothing of value and charge you a load of money.

Thanks for that, what makes you say that? Have you used them before?

Someone on Sitepoint mentioned Learn Direct as an option as well.

[Boogle]

Jus to put my in here... To learn the basics well and fully understand the underlying principles and foundations of this kind of work I would suggest some form of teaching, but good teaching, definitly not computeach or something similar. There are much better courses offered by MS and companies with better reputations.

You get much better documentation also and although I've never been to one of these courses I did learn an awful lot from my friend's documentation he recieved on one of his courses with MS.

Of course, if your friend is above average intelligence they, i'm sure, can do just fine with self-learning and the correct literature.

The attitude to have tonnes of patience here is what's needed. Don't never be thinking, "there must be a quicker way to do this". Learn from the ways taught and if you can improve them then great but don't ignore them!

Boog's

[JakeCop]

Originally Posted by Boogle

Of course, if your friend is above average intelligence they, i'm sure, can do just fine with self-learning and the correct literature.

The attitude to have tonnes of patience here is what's needed. Don't never be thinking, "there must be a quicker way to do this". Learn from the ways taught and if you can improve them then great but don't ignore them!

I completely agree there. Attitude and patience are required to succeed, as they are in all walks of life. You can't just expect to succeed without putting in any effort, that's where some of the bad press for these home learning companies seems to have stemmed from.

I'd certainly describe him as above average intelligence, just not when it comes to computers! I'll put your suggestions to him about the MS courses, though I know Computeach are a Microsoft gold partner for learning. I was looking to find if anyone had first hand knowledge of them or other such courses like Learn Direct.

[Dan Williamson]

Originally Posted by JakeCop

Thanks for that, what makes you say that? Have you used them before?

Someone on Sitepoint mentioned Learn Direct as an option as well.

I don't know by fact, but it's a general opinion on many forums, including ones specialising in web development, the computeach advert on TV is generally disturbing and incorrect.

Go and learn a Web Development class if you want to learn it, your local college should do one, but your best with a few books, Notepad and some awesome trial and error.

[JakeCop]

Originally Posted by Dan Williamson

I don't know by fact, but it's a general opinion on many forums, including ones specialising in web development, the computeach advert on TV is generally disturbing and incorrect.

Ah, I see. I've read negative comments about Computeach on one forum, but that was from someone who hadn't even completed the first module of their course and was complaining that their bank wanted the loan back they'd taken out for the course.

I haven't heard anything bad from anyone who's actually completed a course with Computeach. You should be careful too saying things like 'computhief' if you haven't actually had any involvement with them.

I personally learnt web development myself through trial and error, but that was some time ago. These days there are a lot of courses teaching it, which makes it difficult for someone coming at it fresh to find employment without a recognised qualification.

[Dan Williamson]

Originally Posted by JakeCop

I haven't heard anything bad from anyone who's actually completed a course with Computeach. You should be careful too saying things like 'computhief' if you haven't actually had any involvement with them.

Understand that, perhaps it was too forward, and I haven't had any direct involvement (education still free for me) but there have been amassing reports of costly yet worthless qualifications, especially in the technical departments.

[JakeCop]

Originally Posted by Dan Williamson

Understand that, perhaps it was too forward, and I haven't had any direct involvement (education still free for me) but there have been amassing reports of costly yet worthless qualifications, especially in the technical departments.

Ah I see. I was wondering about those sort of comments. I figured they were either from people who hadn't completed the course, or like yourself hadn't actually had any involvement with Computeach.

Goes to show that you've got me careful what you read on the Internet.

People I've spoken to who have completed courses with them, and other e-learning companies, have been on the whole positive about their experiences. I guess it comes down to whether you're dedicated enough to complete a course and have realistic aims about what you can achieve with your qualification afterwards.