| So you want to learn to develop applications for | | | | training may not even be an option. |
| Android? Android has a very robust and useful | | | | Self-education has its own advantages. One benefit is |
| software development kit that makes development | | | | that you will be able to set your own pace. If you |
| very easy. This ease may lead you to consider | | | | need more time to grasp a concept, you will be able |
| self-education. However, there are pros and cons to | | | | to take as much time as you need. Likewise, if you |
| both Android classroom training and self-education. | | | | want to move more quickly through lessons, you will |
| Considering them will help you select the best | | | | have that option too. With Android instructor-led |
| Android training for you. | | | | training, you will be limited by the pace of the entire |
| The biggest benefit to Android classroom training is | | | | class. |
| that you get to work with a qualified Android | | | | Another benefit to self-education is that it is often |
| developer. Application development is as much an art | | | | cheaper than Android classroom training. If you are |
| as it is a science. An experienced instructor can help | | | | trying to educate yourself for a new career or to |
| guide you in developing your Android development | | | | enter into a different area of development, you may |
| style and help you avoid mistakes that new | | | | be on a budget. Or if you are an experienced |
| developers may make. | | | | developer, Android classroom training may be too |
| If you are like me, another benefit of Android | | | | costly and include too many basics you will never use |
| instructor-led training is that it keeps you focused and | | | | in practice. |
| on a schedule of learning. Attending a class requires | | | | The biggest downside of self-education is the lack of |
| that you prepare for the class and stay on the | | | | critique of your work. Android classroom training will |
| schedule of class meetings. This helps keep you | | | | give you an opportunity to show work to others and |
| focused and motivated. Without Android on-site | | | | receive constructive criticism on how to make your |
| training, learning to develop applications may get put | | | | code better. This is not possible in a self-education |
| off when other tasks are important. | | | | scenario. This is important often the difference |
| The biggest drawback to Android instructor-led | | | | between a good application and a great one is the |
| training for many is the cost. Classes obviously will | | | | result of small improvements in development style. |
| cost more than self-education since the instructor will | | | | You will learn this more readily through Android |
| need to be paid. While the cost is a drawback, you | | | | classroom training. |
| have to weigh the benefits of one-on-one mentoring | | | | Android is an exciting platform that is easy to learn. |
| that you would receive with Android on-site training | | | | Android classroom training provides a number of |
| against that cost. | | | | benefits and drawbacks over self-education. It is |
| Another downside to instructor-led training is that it | | | | important to consider the differences between |
| may be limited by geography. Unless you can find a | | | | Android classroom training and self-education and |
| web-based Android course, you will be dependent on | | | | select the option that is going to be best for your |
| what is being offered in your area. In fact, if no | | | | individual learning style and needs. |
| classes are offered nearby, Android classroom | | | | |