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IUpdateable from Eric Nelson

Data and the .NET Framework (with a splash of VB)

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Feedback wanted on the February Microsoft UK training offer with InnerWorkings

Back in February 2009 I worked with Sarah Roxburgh in my team and InnerWorkings to deliver a great free offer on .NET training to UK developers. The offer opened up a huge chunk of the InnerWorkings learning catalogue for free and for a limited time to UK developers. The InnerWorkings approach is unusual (unique?). It integrates into Visual Studio, sets you real programming challenges and then marks your attempts. All backed up with well written help and carefully selected links for when you get stuck. In other words, it is rather different to a traditional class room format.

We were blown away by the uptake. Over 7000 developers enrolled in the offer and I have been watching amazing amounts of activity take place over the subsequent weeks – with some developers completing over 60 programming tasks as of April 5th. However I have also noticed that lots of developers have taken very few tasks and some have completed no tasks. This is something I am keen to understand more. Is it just the pressure of work getting in the way, did the content not match expectations or something else?

We hope to deliver similar learning opportunities in the future and would welcome your feedback. We are also interested in what Microsoft technologies you plan to skill up on in the future. Please contact me or email Sarah Roxburgh direct if you took advantage of this offer. Thanks – and happy learning!

Sunday, April 05, 2009 9:18 PM

Your Comments.

# re: Feedback wanted on the February Microsoft UK training offer with InnerWorkings
I was one of the developers to take up no challenges; I am always keen to take on training. (Especially free training!)

However, the level was entry or beginners. The tasks the other devs in my department took seemed a bit facile and not a good use of my time.

I appreciated the offer and Eric PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE continue the fine work at making resources available to the dev masses :-)

Kindness,

Dan

Left by Daniel Elliott at 4/6/2009 9:36 AM
# re: Feedback wanted on the February Microsoft UK training offer with InnerWorkings
I took up the offer but just haven't got to using it - too much urgent stuff to do.....

Left by Ed C at 4/8/2009 11:50 AM
# re: Feedback wanted on the February Microsoft UK training offer with InnerWorkings
Realy couldnt get time to use it.

Left by Count get time to use it at 4/9/2009 2:10 PM
# re: Feedback wanted on the February Microsoft UK training offer with InnerWorkings
I would like thank everyone concerned from the Innerworkings team I found everything thing difficult and I enjoyed the challenge for those who could not find time you should.

Left by Anthony at 4/13/2009 7:24 PM
# re: Feedback wanted on the February Microsoft UK training offer with InnerWorkings
I signed up for this and have done 7 tasks or so, but it does rely on me finding some of my own time to fit this in.

I also agree with the first poster about the level of the tasks being probably too simplistic/easy. I'm persevering with them as I'm a self-taught programmer and it's nice to know that what I've been doing up to now is ok/correct.
I'm hoping that some of the later ones are more complex challenges and I learn something, but it's going to be a while before I get to them...

But still great to have the opportunity for self-learning items like this - keep up the good work :o)

Left by Nicola G at 4/14/2009 3:54 PM

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