Re: netBeans Training

I perform training and create courseware for Java and related subjects 
and the lack of support for netBeans by 3rd party courseware vendors 
surprises me. From the huge number of downloads of netBeans a 
proportionate need for training requests might be expected which can be 
services through any number of channels including,
    instructor-led training
    self paced tutorials,
    cubical hovering (ask someone in your group )
    book browsing (find/buy a book, learn on own time)
    newsgroup support/incidental (have a problem seek for help/answer)
    tinkering/experimental(try things out till you find something you need)
    etc.

Of these channels the one netBeans most lacks in support currently would 
be instructor-led training. If many users were calling to request this 
training then courseware companies would be producing these courses and 
selling them. Maybe the traditional training channels are not 
economically feasible for some types of open-source software. What I 
propose is to create a system of open-source courseware.

By open-source courseware I mean sets of lessons and labs that can be 
freely downloaded and used by in-house training departments as well as 
commercial training vendors to provide instructor-led training. Like 
open-source software the raw materials - in this case for assembling a 
coursebook - would be freely available. Value can be added by 
formatting, printing and shipping and providing instructors to go along 
with the material.

The availability of courseware would have clear benefits for the 
netBeans community:
    more qualified and proficient netBeans users
    creation of an eco-system around courseware customization and delivery
    promote usage of netBeans through use in courses at colleges and 
other learning institutions

Creating courseware is not trivial and such a repository can not be 
expected to spring to life of itself overnight. As with open-source 
software some individuals may be willing and able to contribute pieces 
of the whole, ie. lessons, labs or other material.

A first effort might be to create a course that could be used by the 
widest audience. It would be useful to know which types of training have 
been requested or might be needed by the user community. Someone on this 
list might know how to access this type of information.

As much as my schedule allows I am willing to contribute content and 
guide the process by overseeing submissions and organizing content into 
meaningfull courseware "builds", or "versions".

I am pretty sure this can be made to work. What are your thoughts? Would 
you be able to contribute, and in what way? Please post your comments. I 
suspect that *[email protected]* would be a good place for this 
discussion, if you know of someplace better please let me know, and of 
course you can reply directly to me if you wish as well.

Thanks, I look forward to hearing from you all.

Mark Pawlowski
[email protected]


Robert Demmer wrote:

> Hello Mark,
>
> I am sorry if you never received a response. We would love to have
> some type of formalized courseware. There is the a need for such a thing.
> I have included some of the major players in documentation, the NetBeans
> EDU list, community members and much more.
>
> A few questions for you:
> Do you have a specific proposal that you would like to follow?
> Would you be looking for assistance in the courseware creation?
> Or just direction of what people feel is needed?
>
> I would be more than happy to help coordinate any efforts to make 
> progress.
> If we come up with a solid ideal of what we would like to produce I can
> assist gaining some help from other lists.
>
> Please reply to all on this list as I think this group would be a 
> great starting
> point.
>
> I look forward to your response.
>
> Best Regards,
> Rob Demmer
>
> Mark Pawlowski wrote:
>
>> Fellow list members,
>>
>> I am in the position to devote some time to the creation
>> of formalized courseware and training for netBeans provided
>> there is a need for them and would like to get in touch with
>> anyone who has information concerning these types of requests.
>>
>> Any help would be appreciated, including contacts or
>> other places I might to for information.
>>
>> Mark Pawlowski
>> [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
>>
>>