We just finished up one of the online training options over at Insidertraining.com and I have to say I was nothing but impressed.
Andy Cummings is without a doubt the best instructor I've ever had. In addition, the InsiderTraining approach was absolutely terrific. It involved 24/7 access to 40 hours of self paced interactive learning tools, 65 hours of live hands-on lab time using real software and servers (something that would cost a lot to do if you had to at home), and 48 HOURS of live instructor led training.
In addition we had unlimited access for 3 months to our class session recordings (the actual class not some generic blow by blow replay, but everything including the questions people had and the answers). In addition the recordings were indexed so I could jump through the topics I wanted to go through without sitting through a bunch of stuff I already knew.
There is a web based bulletin board system that lets students interact with one another (and the instructor) to ask questions and get answers when you aren't in class, and of course you can always email the instructor directly because throughout the entire course cycle they make themselves available to you for mentoring (something we didn't see in a lot of other venues).
Another nice part of the training is the extra information. You not only get the information about the subject at hand, but more often than not they explain the latest trends and techniques for applying the material in the real world (and that is something that is extremely valuable).
I should probably mention the almost $500 worth of Microsoft Press books you get to help you through the class and the testing and the 7 free transcender exam prep tests you get to evaluate your progress.
What do we think of InsiderTraining's offerings you ask? They are the best in their class and that is saying a lot. Today there is a boat load of competitors and if you pick the wrong place you just wasted your time and your money. We give Insider Training 3 out of 3 stars and the 2004, 2005, 2006, & 2008 Editor's Choice Award for the Best Online IT Training of the Year. If you want to check out some of the MCSE or other course offerings they have simply go to Insider Training's Website These guys are really worth every cent.
