Re: Total oracle newbie

From: DA Morgan <damorgan_at_exesolutions.com>
Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 06:52:32 -0800
Message-ID: <3E4BB130.85296EC3@exesolutions.com>

Richard Foote wrote:

> "Howard J. Rogers" <howardjr2000_at_yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
> news:pan.2003.02.10.18.33.34.598334_at_yahoo.com.au...
> > On Mon, 10 Feb 2003 13:55:17 +0000, Jeff wrote:
> >
> > > In article <BfY0a.42930$jM5.108466_at_newsfeeds.bigpond.com>, "Howard J.
> Rogers" <howardjr2000_at_yahoo.com.au> wrote:
> > >
> > >>Rather than the O/S, what you want is to avoid like the plague any
> > >>instructor who starts plodding through the course material, rather than
> > >>telling it like it is.
> > >
> > > Well, that's a real trick, isn't it? Especially for a newbie.
> > >
> > > "Uh, excuse me, I know practically nothing about Oracle, but I think
> you're
> > > following the course material too closely. Could you either tell it
> like it
> > > is or bring in another instructor?" ;-)
> >
> > Well, when ringing up to purchase the training, ask the salesman 'do you
> > have more than one DBA instructor at your training centre/site?' If no,
> > you don't have a lot of choice. But if yes, ask the next question 'could
> > you tell me the assessment averages for each of your DBA instructors for
> > the last quarter?' And go for the instructor with the highest average.
> >
> > Or ask 'would it be possible to see some of the previous students'
> > comments about each instructor?' When there's a plodder doing the
> > training, prior students are usually quick to comment on it.
> >
> > Since you're about to be parting with several thousand dollars, there
> > should be no harm in assessing the quality of the training staff in this
> > way, and making it clear you want to go to a course taught by the best
> > they've got.
> >
> > It's also been known for a student to sign up to a course taking a chance
> > on who they will eventually get as an instructor, and staying in the
> > training room until the first morning tea; at which point you approach the
> > training centre administrative staff making it clear you wish to leave
> > and come back on a day when the current instructor is not teaching.
> > And if that seems too rude, develop a diplomatic migraine:
> > you don't forfeit your money.
> >

>

> Hi Howard,

>

> I generally agree with your comments. People pay good money to attend
> training and deserve value for money.

>

> One point I would make though is this. I know that the "instructor" I was
> when I started at Oracle was a completely, utterly different beast from the
> instructor I was when I left. I also know that generally the first time I
> taught a new course (especially a new features course where my experience
> with the material may only be a few months of squeezing in same "play" when
> I could) the standard was nothing like it was after I had sufficient time
> and experience to *really know* what I was teaching.

>

> So some (probably most) instructors are not unlike a nice bottle of red. A
> bit 'young' and sharp at first but quite smooth and mature when the
> appropriate aging process has taken it's course. I somewhat pity the poor
> buggers I taught in the early days but it would have been a bit of a shame
> if I wasn't given the chance to improve.

>

> And I agree with you that a good solution is to give the instructors
> sufficient time to prep and not continually push those utilisation rates ...

>

> Cheers

>
> Richard

Absolutely. One reason I really enjoy the freedom of writing all of my own material. It isn't taught until I feel that I know it thoroughly.

Student opinions may vary. ;-)

Daniel Morgan Received on Thu Feb 13 2003 - 08:52:32 CST