MCTS Training - 5 day Courses? Worth it?

[adamroof]

I am "familiar" with SQL Databases, have built many, modified many, restored many. I would like to pursue more in depth knowledge and possibly certification.

I was reading the curriculum from a well known training facility that preps for MCTS SQL 2005. Many areas i need to address and get better at, mainly XML and security.

My query writing ability is sketchy, i can get it done, but not without a few tek-tip searches and google. I forsee a course in transact sql before the other two prep courses.

The well known facility wants $2400 per course, 2 courses for 5 days each. My company will pay for it, so thats not the issue, but will they get their money's worth, and will i waste my time? I know thats kind of up to me, but has anyone been through a 5 day?

Am i better off just getting a few MS Press books and reading on the beach?

I am a CCSP, learned from a community college course (CCNA), and self taught followthrough to complete the security portion. I can learn a lot by myself and have the resolve to follow through, but miss the days of the classroom atmosphere.

There are so many facets to SQL that i just dont see the value of primer courses at $475 a day listening to some guy yap.

So for those certifiable tek-tippers, what are your thoughts for progression?

 

[mrdenny]

You may wish to repost this in forum468.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005) / Database Developer (SQL 2005)

My Blog

 

[JoeAtWork]

Personally, I've never been in a class where I thought I learned more than if I had a good book and a computer to myself.

But the answer really depends on what style of learning you find the most effective.

Joe Schwarz
Custom Software Developer

http://www.plandev.net