Should you be considering getting into a web design team, an Adobe Dreamweaver course is a fundamental criteria for getting relevant qualifications re...
Should you be considering getting into a web design team,
an Adobe Dreamweaver course is a fundamental criteria for getting relevant qualifications recognised globally. To facilitate Dreamweaver professionally in web design, an in-depth understanding of the full Adobe Web Creative Suite (including Flash and Action Script) is something to consider very seriously. Having this knowledge will mean, you might lead on to becoming an Adobe Certified Expert or Adobe Certified Professional (ACE or ACP).
Constructing the website is just the start of what you'll need - to maintain content, create traffic, and work with dynamic database-driven sites, you'll need to bolt on other programming skills, for example PHP, HTML, and MySQL. In addition, you should gain a good understanding of Search Engine Optimisation and E Commerce.
An important area that is sometimes not even considered by potential students thinking about a course is the issue of 'training segmentation'. Basically, this means the breakdown of the materials for timed release to you, which can make a dramatic difference to the point you end up at. Often, you'll join a programme that takes between and 1 and 3 years and receive a module at a time. While this may sound logical on one level, consider this: It's not unusual for trainees to realise that their providers 'standard' path of training isn't the easiest way for them. It's often the case that a different order of study is more expedient. Perhaps you don't make it within their exact timetable?
In all honesty, the very best answer is to have a copy of their prescribed order of study, but make sure you have all of your learning modules right from the beginning. You then have everything in the event you don't complete everything as fast as they'd like.
Traditional teaching in classrooms, involving piles of reference textbooks, is usually pretty hard going. If this describes you, look for learning programmes that are multimedia based. Years of research and study has time and time again demonstrated that an 'involved' approach to study, where we utilise all our senses, will more likely produce memories that are deeper and longer-lasting.
Top of the range study programs now offer interactive discs. Real-world classes from the instructors will mean you'll absorb the modules, one by one, by way of the demonstrations and explanations. Knowledge can then be tested by interacting with the software and practicing yourself. Always insist on a training material demonstration from the training company. The package should contain expert-led demonstrations, slideshows and interactive labs where you get to practice.
Choose CD and DVD ROM based physical training media where possible. You can then avoid all the difficulties of internet connection failure and issues with signal quality.
You'll come across courses which guarantee examination passes - they always involve paying for the exam fees up-front, at the very beginning of your studies. However, prior to embracing a course with such a promise, why not think about this:
Everybody's aware that they're still being charged for it - obviously it has already been included in the overall figure from the college. It's certainly not free - and it's insulting that we're supposed to think it is! Evidence shows that if a student pays for their own exams, at the time of taking them, there's a much better chance they'll qualify each time - since they'll think of what they've paid and so will prepare more thoroughly.
Isn't it in your interests to hold on to your money and pay for the exam at the time, not to pay the fees marked up by the training company, and to take it closer to home - instead of the remote centre that's convenient only to the trainer? Big margins are netted by some training companies who get money for exam fees in advance. Many students don't take them for one reason or another and so they pocket the rest. Amazingly, there are providers that depend on students not taking their exams - as that's where a lot of their profit comes from. You should fully understand that re-takes through training companies who offer an 'Exam Guarantee' are always heavily controlled. You will be required to do mock exams to make sure they think you're going to pass.
Paying maybe a thousand pounds extra on 'Exam Guarantees' is foolish - when a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools is actually the key to your success.
Be watchful that any qualifications you're studying for are commercially relevant and are bang up to date. The 'in-house' certifications provided by many companies are often meaningless. If your certification doesn't come from a big-hitter like Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe or Cisco, then it's likely it will be commercially useless - as no-one will have heard of it.
