Web Programming course by distance learning

starlit

Hi has anyone done the course Internet and Web Programming with Fitzwilliam Institute? In particularly has anyone done it by distance learning? Any other information on it be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

http://www.fitzwilliaminstitute.ie/internet_web_programming_course_distance_learning.php

Leamac

Hi,

Im currently doing a course with them and at present im having some difficulties finding any other students who have ever studied with them!!

HELP!!!!

wonderfulname

Doovdela: Did you go for it? I'm thinking of doing the same course, actually, I'm fairly set on it, was going to sign up monday.

starlit

No didn't decide to do it. Might do it at a later date or similar course either online or with an IT not sure yet. There is to be a new Higher Diploma in Computing in Creative Multimedia Programming in LIT in limerick if you are interested think DIT and DCU do something similar in the Masters. Gears towards web and multimedia programming really in the H Dip in LIT in line with bluebrick. Its a new course so no final details set yet. Its starting 1st March and you can apply by the 29th February.

Think CMIT do an online course similar to the one with Fitzwilliam.

wonderfulname

CMIT is just HTML and CSS, it's not accredited by anyone and only teaches to CIW foundations level, OU does one or two courses but they're meant to be highly theoretical, I prefer to learn through doing. I can't do a traditional course at the minute and I'm mucking around with code on my own anyway so online makes sense for me.

When/if (I think the former at this stage) I go for the course I'll report back here and give you some of the insight that's sorely needed on it.

wonderfulname

Well I'm in the course, it's like mitching off college and teaching yourself from moodle notes (exactly like in fact, it's even through moodle, and in slide format), the content layout is definitely more geared towards a lecture than self tutoring, there's quite a bit to work out for yourself. It's doable though. The content is as advertised, probably uploaded 3 or so years ago though, lots of references to sites that bombed years ago but that isn't really important.

Fitzwilliam institute have been great to deal with so far (except when I chanced my arm for a discount , that got me a disgruntled and monotonous "policy" related reply...). I've only now seen need to contact the "subject expert" so I can't comment on that end as of yet.

I think that covers questions I would have had before diving in, but drop me a PM if there's anything else.

starlit

Thanks wonderfulname, let us know how you get on with it. I be interested to see how it goes for you. I haven't decided as to whether or not to do it the next time the course starts and if its worth the money though. I've been looking into a creative multimedia h dip in LIT but not sure if I go for it could be the same kind of course as this one. I'm a bit tide up doing other things but I'll see.

wonderfulname

I'll certainly come back here at a future date. Update on the subject expert, contrary to any review I've seen on the net he seems like a nice, helpful chap, and he got back to me within 24hours.

litewytch

Does anyone know about this company's courses?

http://www.itprogrammingcourses.com

- it is actually the Fitzwilliam Institute. Why are they using a different name?

Something to hide?
Clever marketing?

I am considering some of their software development courses.

Courses I cam considering are :

http://www.itprogrammingcourses.com/java_programming_course_distance_learning.php

http://www.itprogrammingcourses.com/internet_web_programming_course_distance_learning.php

http://www.itprogrammingcourses.com/visual_csharp_programming_courses_index.php


A friend did a classroom Java course with them last year. He said it was good but that the computers and other facilities were very poor.

http://www.itprogrammingcourses.com/java_course_part_time.php

I am concerned about the value of the Institute of Commercial Management certification which I have never heard of before. There are no references to any of these courses or qualifications on the ICM site.

wonderfulname

It is indeed the same company, it refers to itself as "part of the Fitzwilliam Institute Group" practically all over the site, not exactly shady... The itprogrammingcourses.com domain seems to be a base domain for existing students to access moodle, it makes perfect sense, why set up online courses on 6? different domains when you can redirect students from each country you offer the service in to one place? Similarly, why waste that space on just moodle? It's good business sense.

ICM is in turn accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in the UK, that's how you assess it's value. Of course you're also looking to program, which means you won't just be assessed by your qualification, but your ability to actually do something.

You have Java, C# and web programming listed here as possible courses, do you have any idea what you'd like to achieve from the diploma? They are kinda, really, different.

juckinluck

wonderfulname wrote: »

It is indeed the same company, it refers to itself as "part of the Fitzwilliam Institute Group" practically all over the site, not exactly shady... The itprogrammingcourses.com domain seems to be a base domain for existing students to access moodle, it makes perfect sense, why set up online courses on 6? different domains when you can redirect students from each country you offer the service in to one place? Similarly, why waste that space on just moodle? It's good business sense.

ICM is in turn accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in the UK, that's how you assess it's value. Of course you're also looking to program, which means you won't just be assessed by your qualification, but your ability to actually do something.

You have Java, C# and web programming listed here as possible courses, do you have any idea what you'd like to achieve from the diploma? They are kinda, really, different.

Hi wonderful name. Just wondering how the course went for you? I'm meant to be signing up tomorrow but I have read a few bad comments.

Please help

wonderfulname

There's not really a deadline for sign up so don't feel pressured if you're unsure, and if they're still offering additional modules free if you sign up by x date ignore it, they're not worth anything and if you enquired about anything before the date you should be able to wrangle it out of them, I'll get back to you about the course itself tomorrow, too tired now!

juckinluck

wonderfulname wrote: »

There's not really a deadline for sign up so don't feel pressured if you're unsure, and if they're still offering additional modules free if you sign up by x date ignore it, they're not worth anything and if you enquired about anything before the date you should be able to wrangle it out of them, I'll get back to you about the course itself tomorrow, too tired now!

Cheers. Appreciate it

wonderfulname

Right, my opinions, mostly negative, but I knew what I was getting into for the most part, I took a break from the course a few months back because I had too much going on, and can't afford flash, which means I need a 30day run at that element of the course to complete it within trial, what was the first thing I asked them when enquiring? "Do I need any specialist software, or will it be supplied to me with the course?" Answer given "No, you just need access to a computer", utter bull. In addition, the age of the course seriously shows when you get into flash, they're teaching CS3 (we're now on CS6 if that makes no sense to you), it's something I've used, but I don't bloody own it to be able to illustrate such.

I never actually mentioned in this thread, but I have a degree of web programming knowledge, I'm considerably ahead of what the course teaches on HTML and CSS in fact, my aim in doing one of these courses was to tick boxes and get a piece of paper, and also learn a bit of JavaScript. Honestly I could never learn from this course alone, and anyone who does is going to be seriously behind, and employing practices that are a wee bit frowned upon these days. My gut is telling me to say don't do it, I don't know what the alternative is but this is pretty poor.

aaron2447

wonderfulname, i am in the exact same boat as you were in! i just started the internet and web programming course and it must be the same version you did because the course is 5 years out of date. no joke. In one module it speaks about social media and states that MySpace is ranked #1!!! lol.

It is truly awful. The content looks almost like it has been print-screened with a few speech bubbled slapped on. It doesn't explain why you are doing what you are doing in terms of coding at all. I am learning off of Youtube and just submitting the work.

The lady on the phone also told me that I didn't need any additional software and the "course expert" has been pretty short in his replies although he was pretty fast at getting back to me.

One question - did you end up getting accreditation from ICM??

aaron2447

also, did you find that the knowledge you gained has helped you in any way or has the qualification got you any employment? thanks

wonderfulname

The issue with it being out of date is greater than just seeming out of touch, it's teaching an ever changing subject, people in the field are constantly gaining new knowledge, many times in place of old as opposed to alongside it. Massive changes have come in since that course was written, it's never heard of HTML5 for example, I can't see it being of use to employers. I haven't used it for work, I'm building sites for friends and non profits to build up a portfolio, they're content with "sure I did a course in it like" I doubt someone paying would be! Tbh in doing that I'm not using knowledge gained in the course, mainly stuff I gained myself, although if you're learning through YouTube anyway the same would be true for you should you use it.

Oscar_Drai

wonderfulname wrote: »

Right, my opinions, mostly negative, but I knew what I was getting into for the most part, I took a break from the course a few months back because I had too much going on, and can't afford flash, which means I need a 30day run at that element of the course to complete it within trial, what was the first thing I asked them when enquiring? "Do I need any specialist software, or will it be supplied to me with the course?" Answer given "No, you just need access to a computer", utter bull. In addition, the age of the course seriously shows when you get into flash, they're teaching CS3 (we're now on CS6 if that makes no sense to you), it's something I've used, but I don't bloody own it to be able to illustrate such.

I never actually mentioned in this thread, but I have a degree of web programming knowledge, I'm considerably ahead of what the course teaches on HTML and CSS in fact, my aim in doing one of these courses was to tick boxes and get a piece of paper, and also learn a bit of JavaScript. Honestly I could never learn from this course alone, and anyone who does is going to be seriously behind, and employing practices that are a wee bit frowned upon these days. My gut is telling me to say don't do it, I don't know what the alternative is but this is pretty poor.

This is a very helpful review. Very good feedback. Thanks a lot!! Wouldn't you happen to know of a well structured course that may or may not be up to date but still useful? I am a database developer but would love to learn web programming too, I have some knowledge of it but never developed a full site. Thanks !

PD: I've just found the following course, what do you think about it? http://www.dit.ie/study/parttime/programmes/dt249pinternetapplicationdevelopment/#d.en.43246

starlit

Looks good. Worth doing it if you don't have a programming background. There is a lot to be said for classroom structure. Very much the core web programming subjects. Create your own projects on the side too so you build up a portfolio and online presence of your coding work. Give examples in interviews and some way of proving and convince employers you have theses skills if you haven't sufficient work experience.

Self learning is good but finding motivation and time can be a strain fine to brush up on your knowledge but online courses aren't always up to date. An oscail course or online distance courses be better from an I.T or University.

Depends on course and what you want out of it. Best of luck!

jonh1986

doovdela wrote: »

Hi has anyone done the course Internet and Web Programming with Fitzwilliam Institute? In particularly has anyone done it by distance learning? Any other information on it be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

http://www.fitzwilliaminstitute.ie/internet_web_programming_course_distance_learning.php

I am currently doing the course. I've been doing it now for nearly 6 months and I'm near the half way mark.

There are several problems with this course.
First the "expert" doesn't seem to really care that much and often responds to questions by telling you other students didn't have a problem.(who are these other students??)
If you pester him for about two weeks he will eventually answer one of your questions if you are lucky. He seems nice but is either over worked or just lazy.

The course itself has some spectacular errors that despite being reported to the "expert" never get fixed.(example small typing mistakes that make it impossible to run java script).

The main objective of the course is to teach you how to execute a data base web program using netbeans.

Here's where the real annoyance comes in.:mad:

Each module explains the theory ie CSS Servlets etc but it doesn't say one word about how to use this technology in netbeans.
So you will spend 90% of your time browsing through oracles netBeans tutorials to actually get the stuff to work.:(

I have asked the "expert" about this and he once again said that no other student has a problem.:(

So basically the course is terribly designed and there seems to be nobody at the helm. And most importantly nobody willing to help. Recently I was sent a few outdated links as an answer.

If you have someone close to you that is a great with this stuff do the course.

I know I wouldn't do another course with these guys that's for sure.

targa

I have done several IT courses with the Fitzwilliam Institute (Oracle and Java). I found them to be excellent and I found the support to be really really helpful. Though I only needed it for some early teething problems.

I will do more courses in the future.

jonh1986

jonh1986 wrote: »

I am currently doing the course. I've been doing it now for nearly 6 months and I'm near the half way mark.

There are several problems with this course.
First the "expert" doesn't seem to really care that much and often responds to questions by telling you other students didn't have a problem.(who are these other students??)
If you pester him for about two weeks he will eventually answer one of your questions if you are lucky. He seems nice but is either over worked or just lazy.

The course itself has some spectacular errors that despite being reported to the "expert" never get fixed.(example small typing mistakes that make it impossible to run java script).

The main objective of the course is to teach you how to execute a data base web program using netbeans.

Here's where the real annoyance comes in.:mad:

Each module explains the theory ie CSS Servlets etc but it doesn't say one word about how to use this technology in netbeans.
So you will spend 90% of your time browsing through oracles netBeans tutorials to actually get the stuff to work.:(

I have asked the "expert" about this and he once again said that no other student has a problem.:(

So basically the course is terribly designed and there seems to be nobody at the helm. And most importantly nobody willing to help. Recently I was sent a few outdated links as an answer.

If you have someone close to you that is a great with this stuff do the course.

I know I wouldn't do another course with these guys that's for sure.

Recently I have been receiving a lot more support from the college. I feel like I wasn't being fair enough with my original. He is very helpful and professional.

The course does have a lot of outdated material but once you accept that you will need to do a lot of outside research yourself you will be fine.

Also the expert is good at sending more update examples and there is talk of some of the modules being updated (fingers crossed).

jonh1986

jonh1986 wrote: »

Recently I have been receiving a lot more support from the college. I feel like I wasn't being fair enough with my original. He is very helpful and professional.

The course does have a lot of outdated material but once you accept that you will need to do a lot of outside research yourself you will be fine.

Also the expert is good at sending more update examples and there is talk of some of the modules being updated (fingers crossed).

Scrap this post. Ive been waiting for a week and a half for a reply to a question. The new module is from the stone age.
Do not do this course if you are on the fence. It is a terrible experience. One email every two weeks and really outdated material which is poorly explained.
I repeat DO NOT DO THIS COURSE.

jonh1986

I done the web programming distance learning course with them. I would rate it 2/10. Half the course material is completely useless.
Some of it from the stone age which is not relevint any more.
Most of the topics are not explained properly at all.
There is bare minimal support. It is an awful experience for the students. I have not seen one positive review from these posts.

Do not do this course if you haven't signed up. There are more options out there. I am having a really horrible time with this.

debrune

hey everybody.
i am thinking to do web programming distance learning course with :http://www.fitzwilliaminstitute.ie/distance_learning_courses.php.
I Hope somebody would encourage me to do it, or not to do it......or show me a very useful link to do web programming and C Sharp , Windows Mobile, Windows C, .Net C Sharp , C#, … i appreciate it. thanks a lot.

tramoreman

I have checked out several courses that are either 10 or 20 weeks long in dublin. most of them are only college certs. they arent fetec certified. I myself did web authoring fetac certified level 5 component planning on doing a fetac level 6 fetac web authoring course online

debrune

hi again
my purpose is to get a job in computer programming ...I need a diploma and skills.pls I need your help .thanks for everyone
.