What is the best way of studying for a computer networking course?

Question

I go to college for 1 week for Classroom basic and other week home study. What will the best way of study for computer networking. The course is for 3 months. In which i will learn Comp Tia A+, Windows Xp , Windows 2003 Server, Cisco Networking,

Answer 1

going to school is a great thing , but yes nothing beats hands on experience , the schooling and certifications allow employers such as my self to know that you have a understanding of how things work .

the problem that i run into as a employer is someone walks in talks a good game they know how to do this or that , give them a hands on test and they are clueless . i have had people come in for a interview and claim to have years of exsperience and couldn't tell me for example

what is a 4xx,5xx post error in windows xp

Answer 2

If the course is only 3 months, and you are learning all of that, it is either a very accelerated course, or you won't learn enough for any of those certifications, maybe just the A+. It helps a lot to make flash cards of the stupid things you don't really need to know to work on computers. Like what DMA addresses are typically used for floppies, or what the layers of networking are and what happens at those layers. You need to know, but for the most part you don't use it in the real world.

Connect the reading with doing when possible. A highlighter and notes will come in handy when you need to study for tests.

Answer 3

Each person learns differently. It's a matter of how your brain is hard-wired to collect information. Some learn best by hearing, others by reading, still others by doing (these are the three broad categories). For me, what I hear goes in one ear and out the other. What I read, I pretty much have memorized for life. For most people, to truly learn you need some of all three sources of input; hearing, seeing and doing

You can pass the exams just by cramming, but you won't have a clue how to actually "do" anything in the real world. If you want your education to count for much, get hands-on experience. Without an IT job, the best way to do this is by hands-on practice. For the A+, crack the case on your computer and actually do what you're learning. Hack away on your XP machine. Most 2003 courses come with trial software. Use it.
Whatever method of learning works best for you (listening in the classroom, reading on your own, etc.) focus your time there. Then couple that learning with actually doing what you're learning on your own systems.

Answer 4

Hands on experience. Take what you have read and apply it.

It's going to be pretty hard if you don't already have a basic knowledge of the different systems described above though. You'll put a lot of hard work into it to succeed in such a short time.

Answer 5

spl is totally right. I have done all the classroom stuff myself.
And it has its good points. But you 'need' to actually do it, to really 'get it'.

I work in the field, ive done college courses, ive done tech school mcse and all that jazz, but nothing beats hands on experience.

Answer 6

If you can figure out what to study you dont need the class. I hope it is worth it. Lots of experienced IT without jobs.

Answer 7

Lol, how are we supposed to know what will happen in 2011?

Answer 8

u can go for a comptiaN+ n then go for a CCNA