Frequently Asked Questions about my Classes
(Last update: May 16, 2013)
47. What is an Annual
Subscription?
If you think you may take 4 or more
courses with me in one year, it may be cheaper for you to subscribe
to an Annual Subscription rate. Take any (or all) of my courses for
one full year for $1000. By the way, I'm flexible with that ending
date.
46. Did I see this
correctly? You can repeat your courses at a reduced rate?
That's right. If you have previously
taken a course with me, you can repeat the identical course for $50
($45 if paying my Paypal.)
45. On average, how
many hours will I need to put in each week to successfully complete
your courses?
For Introduction courses, I estimate a
total of 5. 2 hours of reading each week, and approximately 3 more
hours for the assignments.
For Intermediate and Advanced courses,
I estimate a total of 8 to 10. More reading more difficult
assignments.
44. What's a Military
Scholarship?
If you are an Active Duty Military
Member (United State or US ally) you can take any (or all) of my
classes for free. Only 1 class at a time, and you must find a way to
prove it. This does not include the cost of your course book.
43. I notice that
your Regularly Scheduled Group Classes feature a weekly chat. Are
they mandatory?
Absolutely not--chat attendance is
entirely optional and most students do not attend even one of them.
The courses are set up in such a way
that all of your work can be done whenever you want.
Most students take classes with me because they either can't, or
don't want to, be at a certain place at a certain time. Requiring
chat attendance sort of defeats the purpose of that.
42. Do I need to pay any extra money to access
your Electronic Classroom web site apart from your advertised course fee for joining
internet class ? Please also mention any taxes or hidden charges
if there is any.
The course fee covers everything.
I use Moodle, and I host it myself, so there is no extra charge.
41. If I miss a routine class for any reason can I still access that lecture later?
You can't 'miss' a class. There are no lectures. All of your work is
done on your own, and virtually all interaction is done with me
through the Electronic Classroom. However, there is a 30 minutes
live chat each week if you need to speak with me live.
40. Can I see any Demo class before joining any course ?
Yes. Follow this link to the classroom
http://johnsmiley.mrooms.net/
Once there, select the course entitled
VB6 Database Programming (DEMO)
You will be prompted for an enrollment key---it's
eagles
Have a look around the classroom.
39. I am interested in taking your Intermediate VB.Net course starting July 25 and have looked at the course outline. I was wondering (and could not find on your website) How exactly do your online classes work? I see there is a textbook for it, is it all out of that? Do you have a "project" like in your books? Are their lectures online we read/view?
During a typical week, I will ask you to read 1 or more chapters out of the textbook.
In addition, I will ask you to respond to 3 discussion questions, and to complete a quiz drawn on material from the textbook.
The "value added" that I provide is a series of Margin Notes for each chapter that guide you through the material. It's not as voluminous as a dedicated lecture, but does draw your attention to important points, clarify difficult to understand topics, and provide links to
additional material.
Any questions that you have are posted in the electronic classroom---I respond to them within 24 hours. Everyone can see your questions and my answers--and you can see others also, which is one of the big benefits of this type of learning. That, plus you don't need to 'be' somewhere at a particular place and time.
The only coordinated meeting time we have is one hour per week, usually Thursday evenings at 9PM or Saturday morning at 11AM. Generally, half the students 'meet' for these. Most people enjoy learning on their own, and having the freedom to learn whenever they want.
For the Intermediate VB.Net class, I have 15 small projects that are assigned
throughout the class.
I post weekly notes and Margin Notes for each chapter---the majority of your learning will come via the textbook, the completion of the projects, and your
interaction with me and the other students.
I hope this helps.
38. I need more
info on your classes
Classes generally run 8 to 10
weeks, and are hosted electronically on Moodle.com, a scholastic
electronic bulletin board, from which I lease a classroom for the
duration of our course.
Except for a 1 hour scheduled live
'chat' each week, all communication between you and me (and the
other students) is done using an Electronic Bulletin
Board---basically, a message board.
Each week, on Sunday evenings, I
post notes, assignments and projects for the following week.
You access this material using the
Electronic Bulletin Board, and post any questions and replies.
Once each week, using alternating
Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings, we have a scheduled half
hour chat using Moodle.com's Chat room. Chats are entirely optional,
and most students do not attend.
http://www.johnsmiley.com/main/training.htm
37. Is it too late
to register for a course?
Generally, I open registration for
my courses several weeks before their announced start date and you
may continue to register for most courses after they have begun.
36. Can you reduce
your class costs--they're too expensive.
Not everyone thinks so--many
students comment that, in comparison to Technical Seminars, Trade
Schools, and College and Universities, my classes are a bargain.
In general, my classes are priced
at $25 a week---I think this is reasonable. Interestingly, I've
offered full and partial 'scholarships' to students in the past, and
I've found that students who pay for my classes do much better.
35. Do you still offer
courses on VB6?
Yes---you can take One-On-One Self
Paced Visual Basic 6 classes with me at any time.
I no longer offer group Visual Basic 6
classes---there's simply not enough of a demand for them.
For more on Individual One-On-One Self
Paced courses, follow this link...
http://www.johnsmiley.com/main/training.htm
34. Please offer
Data structure and algorithms using one of the languages (C++,
VB.Net, VB or Java)
I'd love to, however.... The
courses you mention are traditional type Computer Science classes,
and experience shows that only a small number of students would be
interested in them.
33. I'm lost with Visual Basic.Net.
That's why you should take my
Introduction to VB.Net class.
With my class, using my easy to read
and learn Visual Basic.Net book, you can't go wrong.
32. Do you offer
SQL 2000 programming?
Yes, in conjunction with VB.Net and ADO.Net, I do. This is part of the Intermediate
VB.Net and ADO.Net
courses.
31. What about
books? And particular software? What do I need?
Books and software depend upon the
course and the language you are learning.
Just about all of the
Introductory courses I offer use books I have written which you will
need to purchase.
As far as software, Java classes
require that you download and install Java from the Sun Microsystems
Website. Java is free, and there's nothing else to buy.
C++ classes require that you
download and install the free C++ compiler from Borland. The
compiler will run on just about any PC, so cost is minimal.
VB.Net and C# classes can be taken
using the Express Editions of VB.Net and C# available for free from
Microsoft (of course, if you want to, you can also purchase the
Professional or Enterprise Editions of these languages.)
The Intermediate VB.Net class
utilizes ASP.Net and ADO.Net. ASP.Net is available with modern
Windows Operationg Systems, and ADO.Net is installed along with
VB.Net or C#.
30. I am starting
my Masters program, so not sure how much time I would have to devote
to this class.
Just like any other course that
you wish to seriously pursue, time is an issue you must consider
(this is one reason I charge for my classes---I desire serious
students who have the time to learn).
In general, I estimate that you
will need to devote at least 10 hours each week for your learning.
If you have less time than that at the present time, it would be
better to put off taking the class until you do.
29. Why aren't you
offering any more VB6 classes.
I am, but only as One-On-One Self Paced
Courses.
28. I'd LOVE to see
something to do with PHP
So would I--I'll consider it for
the future.
27. Are your
courses Instructor Lead or Self Paced?
All of my courses are
Internet-based classes. Some are regularly scheduled Group Classes.
Others are One-On-One Self Paced Classes, almost like tutoring
sessions.
Either way, there are weekly guidelines as to what you
should be studying, but you can fall behind a bit without a serious
problem, so long as you catch up by the end. So, in a way, the
course is self-paced.
The only time you will 'see' me is
during our weekly 30 minute Office Hours chats.
26. Can the course
be taken at night ?
Because all of my courses are Internet
based, they can be 'taken' at any time. You don't physically need to ' be'
anywhere, or logon at a specific time (unless you want to partake in
the 30 minute
weekly optional chats which are held at a pre-determined time each week.)
25. How many
nights a week is the course?
See above.
24. Is there a
completion certificate issued for completing the course?
Yes, if you participate fully in
the class (answer discussion questions, post answers to quizzes, and
do assignments), you will be mailed a Certificate of Completion. In
addition, I also offer Continuing Education Units (CEU's) with
successful completion.
23. Will I need
IIS installed on my pc?
For some of the Intermediate VB.Net classes,
you will need IIS installed. IIS is a component that is shipped
along with most versions of the Windows Operating System.
22. Will there be
any grace period for dropping the class?
You may drop the course up until
the Friday before it begins. You will receive your fee minus a $5
registration fee.
Once the course begins, I can't
issue you a refund---although if you need to drop the course for a
legitimate reason, I'll permit you to enroll in the next scheduled
class at no cost.
21. What is
the mode of payment?
You can pay either by credit card, Pay
Pal, or by check or money order mailed to my business address at
Smiley and
Associates
PO Box 2062
Riverton, NJ 08077-2062
20. I am looking
to take the Visual Basic 6 Certification test this year.
That exam was retired in June
of 2004--take the VB.Net Certification exam instead.
19. What's the
difference between C# and C++?
I'm afraid the answer is too
involved to give you here. Suffice to say they are two different
programming languages. C# looks a lot like Java.
18. Learning
anything .Net is time well spent--do you agree?
Absolutely. .Net (VB.Net or C#.Net) are
the standard development languages for Windows PC's.
However, don't forget Java and C+. And
for that matter, mobile development.
17 I would love to
take your class--how do I sign up?
Registration links for Regularly
Scheduled Group classes
and One-On-One Self Paced classes are available via this web page
http://www.johnsmiley.com/main/training.htm
16. I have
never taken an online class before, are they as good as regular
class?
Having taught 'regular' brick and
mortar classes for several colleges since 1985, I can say that for
most people, they are just as good, and can actually be better.
Ultimately, that depends upon you, and your motivation.
If you are a person who needs a
lot of structure (that is, you never learn anything new or study
unless someone, like a teacher, is badgering you), then Internet
based courses are probably not for you.
On the other hand if you can learn
and be motivated without someone badgering you, and you would like
to learn at your own pace, wherever and whenever you want, and can
deal with having live contact with your instructor just 30 minutes
per week, then online courses are definitely for you.
15. I would like
to see an outline for the Introduction to VB.Net and Intermediate
VB.Net classes.
Outlines and syllabi for all of my
courses are available for
your review here.
http://www.johnsmiley.com/main/training.htm
Once there, click on the Syllabus
link.
You can also access a demo course by
following this link to my Electronic classroom
http://johnsmiley.mrooms.net/
Once there, select the course entitled
VB6 Database Programming (DEMO)
You will be prompted for an enrollment key---it's
eagles
Have a look around the classroom.
14. I heard that
C# is a hot programming language.
Hot is a matter of what hiring
managers want---and are willing to pay for.
C#, VB.Net, Java, you can't go wrong
with either one of them.
13. Does a person
have to be a Visual Basic 6 programmer to learn VB.Net?
Not at all--all of my Introductory
courses presume no prior knowledge of any programming
language--and I firmly believe that I can teach anyone to program.
12. I am
interested in taking Intro to VB.Net and ASP.Net courses in the
future. However, I will not be able to take these courses the next
time they're offered. Will you offer them again?
No problem--I'm not going
anywhere. I've been teaching for 30 years, and I'll be teaching for
the next 10.
If you miss the next scheduled Group offering of a
course, there will be another one in a few months.
And don't forget, you can always take
the One-On-One Self Paced versions of the course.
11. I am not
really sure which course I would like to take. I have an interest in
your ASP.Net course, but I am also interested in Intermediate VB.Net,
and in ADO.Net. In fact I was hoping that all this would have be
covered in your Introduction to VB.Net class.
Covering ASP.Net And ADO.Net in
the Introduction to VB.Net course is asking a bit too much.
For a quick look at these topics,
check out my Intermediate VB.Net class---we spend about a week or
two on each one. If you want to learn about them in even more
detail, check out the dedicated ADO.Net and ASP.Net courses.
10. I would love
to take the VB.Net Introduction class. Please email me and let me know when
you will have it, if you do, I love the way you write in your books.
)
The best way to keep informed of
my classes is to check this web page periodically
http://www.johnsmiley.com/main/training.htm
and click on the 'Notify me'
button. The next time the class is offered I'll notify you.
You can also join my mailing list by
following this link...I'll send you my monthly newsletter.
http://www.johnsmiley.com/main/ContactMe.htm
9. Although I
have never used VB.Net, I would like to take your Intermediate
VB.Net course because I am quite familiar with Visual Basic 6. Do
you think that one needs to start with the Introduction to VB.Net
class?
Everyone (even those people who
have just completed the Intro to VB.Net) will find the Intermediate
VB.Net class challenging--it's just the nature of the topics.
If you choose not to take the
Introduction to VB.Net course, I greatly encourage you to pick up a
copy of my Introduction to VB.Net book, and familiarize yourself
with the changes to the environment and the IDE in VB.Net.
8. When is your
VB.Net Database book coming out?
I've been working on my VB.Net Database
since 2006. I'm not sure I'll ever finish it. In the meantime, I can
recommend some good VB books (that I haven't written) for you.
7. Dealing with
Com Components in Visual Basic 6 is my biggest struggle right now is
there any components classes you offer?
I offer a course on Visual Basic 6
Objects---that's the closest I have to what you want.
6. When will you
write your next book, perhaps an Intro to ASP?
I'm not sure.
5. Hopefully, in
the future you'll have a class for Intermediate C#
I do. Check it out here
http://www.johnsmiley.com/main/training.htm
4. I'm not
convinced that On-line classes are the way to go.
See #16 above.
3. I would take
more classes with you if the cost per class were reduced.
See #36 above.
2 Are you sure
Microsoft is still offering certification in Visual Basic 6?
No, the Visual Basic 6 Certification
exam has been retired. You'll need to take the VB.Net Certification
exam instead.
1. Do these
course prices include your book?
No, my classes do not include the
text book.
Many of my courses use my own
textbooks---the eBook version are very affordable at $13.95.
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