I’m in hadoop admin training for ${WORK} this week — it’s a virtual course, but the interface is actually the nicest I’ve seen yet. The training is being held by ExitCertified and the virtual bit pretty much just works. They provide a webcam and headset to cut down on technical issues. So I have a monitor with a feed of the instructor or other people who are asking questions. Another monitor has the contents of his screen. Finally I’ve got a third one with sundries running in it. I’m really liking three monitors; it’s pretty useful.
Despite the instructor having live and virtual students, the interaction is actually quite nice. The current speaker pops up and the instructor can see us (and we can see each other!).
Having been an instructor in the past definitely informs my opinions. There is a lot which is lost when you’re not “face to face”.
“Virtual” training in the past has meant that you saw a webcast screen and spent eight hours on a conference call, this is much, much better!
