For almost all web designers, Adobe Dreamweaver is the starting point of study. It’s reputed to be the most utilised web-development platform globally.
It’s also recommended that students get an in-depth understanding of the full Adobe Web Creative Suite, including Flash and Action Script, to be able to use Dreamweaver professionally as a web designer. Having such skills can take you on to becoming an Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) or Adobe Certified Professional (ACP).
To establish yourself as a full web professional however, there’s a lot more to learn. You’ll be required to have knowledge of some programming essentials like PHP, HTML, and MySQL. A good understanding of E-Commerce and SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) will also give you a distinct advantage in the marketplace.
An area that’s often missed by those weighing up a particular programme is that of ‘training segmentation’. Basically, this means the method used to break up the program to be delivered to you, which vastly changes how you end up.
Individual deliveries for each training module one piece at a time, as you complete each module is how things will normally arrive. While seeming sensible, you might like to consider this:
Students often discover that the trainer’s usual training route isn’t ideal for them. They might find varying the order of study will be far more suitable. Could it cause problems if you don’t get everything done in the allotted time?
To be straight, the best option is to have a copy of their prescribed order of study, but get all the study materials at the start. It’s then all yours in the event you don’t complete everything at their required pace.
Be watchful that any exams you’re considering doing are recognised by industry and are current. The ‘in-house’ certifications provided by many companies are generally useless.
If your certification doesn’t come from a company like Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe or CompTIA, then chances are it could have been a waste of time and effort – because no-one will recognise it.
People attracted to this sort of work can be very practical by nature, and don’t always take well to classrooms, and poring through books and manuals. If this could be you, opt for more involving, interactive learning materials, where learning is video-based.
Research over recent years has always verified that becoming involved with our studies, to utilise all our senses, will more likely produce memories that are deeper and longer-lasting.
Fully interactive motion videos involving demonstration and virtual lab’s will beat books every time. And you’ll actually enjoy doing them.
Each company you’re contemplating must be able to demonstrate a few samples of the materials provided for study. You should hope for instructor-led videos and a wide selection of interactive elements.
Select CD and DVD ROM based physical training media where possible. This then avoids all the potential pitfalls with broadband outages, failure and signal quality issues etc.
Authorised exam preparation and simulation materials are a must – and should definitely be supplied by your training company.
Make sure that the exams you practice are not just posing the correct questions on the correct subjects, but also asking them in the same way that the proper exam will formulate them. It can really throw some students if the phraseology and format is completely different.
Always request some practice exams so you can test your comprehension along the way. Practice exams prepare you properly – then you won’t be quite so nervous at the actual exam.
Copyright 2009 Scott Edwards. Visit CLICK HERE or AdobeCS3TrainingUK.co.uk.