On 18/03/11 08:36, Lisi wrote:
> On Friday 18 March 2011 07:56:38 Sean Gibbins wrote:
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I'm not sure how newsworthy this is, but since the question of basic
>> Linux training courses that crops up from time to time I thought I'd
>> pass it on.
>>
>> It appears that the Open University are now offering a module that
>> explores the basics of Linux system administration, and that can provide
>> students with LPIC-1 certification as well as counting towards an OU
>> degree.
> I have done this course. Sysadmin doesn't feature at all. And it is nearly
> useless for LPIC-1 unless you do considerable additional work.
>> The article:
>> http://lxer.com/module/newswire/view/149152/index.html
>>
>> The course:
>> http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/t155.htm
>>
>> On the face of it that looks like pretty good value. I haven't got any
>> experience of this particular course, but having studied other OU
>> computing courses can vouch for the quality of the training materials
>> and instruction.
> I too have done other OU courses and found them excellent. This one is lousy.
> The material is poor and full of errors and the instruction avowedly
> non-existent. It is internet based and so there is no such thing
> as "training materials". The first unit is simply a rehash of MS
> advertisements. It is aimed very low (GCSE) - and it hits its mark!
>
> The final test is a test of an individual's skill with graphics and WP, not
> Linux. Most of the instructions are specifically for Windows computers. The
> one assignment has to be handed in in MS doc format, and you are penalised if
> the formatting is not to their liking. odt is not accepted, nor is pdf.
>
>> The LPIC aspect of it is not straightforward, i.e. completion of the
>> course doesn't appear to automatically provide you with certification,
>> it seems it is something you need to optionally request through CompTIA*
>> who are working with the OU to provide the training.
> They wish! That is simply not correct!! They have negotiated a reduction in
> the fee for CompTIA for those who do the course, but the voucher must be
> bought immediately and used within 6 months. That is _all_ the co-operation
> between them, and they even took weeks to deliver on that.
>
> In addition, their entirely internet based course is run on so little
> bandwidth that it was like being back on dial-up.
>
> Far from being good value, it is ludicrously over-priced for what you get.
>
> They are thinking of running another follow-on course and have asked what
> support there would be. I though that you must have seen an advertisement
> for that, since it may well cover sys-admin.
>
> Anyone on this list has nothing to learn from this course, since I imagine
> that all everyone here can install and use Linux. Unless you have never used
> VB. You might learn something about that.
Woah - looks like I opened a can of worms there - I'm glad I added that
little disclaimer about not having done the course too.
What a shame though, it seems like a missed opportunity to me.
Sean
--
music, film, comics, books, rants and drivel:
www.funkygibbins.me.uk
