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While New Horizons Computer Learning Centers may be the largest independent IT training company in the world, with over 300 centers in 60 countries, its mission is simple: to impart relevant, useful, practical information that students can immediately apply to their jobs.
That sounds easy. But in practice, teaching highly technical information presents an ongoing challenge. The reason: Workplace technology changes frequently and rapidly.
To stay on top of trends, the company emphasizes both student and client feedback trends. "What we offer changes from location to location based on what the market needs, what careers are the highest in demand, and the technologies launched by major vendors," explains New Horizons Vice President Mark Tucker.
The company's current offerings include courses in Microsoft Technical and Office, Cisco, Citrix, information security, design, new media, Novell and healthcare information management. It also partners with CompTIA, a global IT industry association, to offer specialized programs in convergence technology, e-commerce, IT training, software services, public policy and workforce development.
New Horizons also teaches business skills courses tackling subjects such as increasing productivity and streamlining expenses, as well as English for non-native speakers who need to use the language in their career.
Courses come in many different forms, including online, self-paced and mentored. To figure out which one is right for you, consider:
- How you're comfortable learning
- The speed at which you want to learn
- How much time you have to devote to the class
"Some people learn best in groups in a classroom setting with banter, discussion and interaction among the classmates and the instructor," Tucker says. "Self-paced e-learning is the equivalent of listening to a book on tape while reading. You have to be very self-motivated, because there's no time constraint or set schedule."
New Horizons also offers a unique course option called "mentored learning," which blends online and in-person training. The instruction is done via online videos, backed up with a classroom where an instructor is available to help students through the course materials.
"It's great for people who can't be out of their office for a five-day tech class," Tucker observes. "You can go in the morning and then go to work, or go in once a week. You learn and then go right into work and try out what you've learned, and then go back into the classroom."
Mentored learning also allows students to test out of material they already know. "With instructor-led classes, if you know the material already, you still have to sit through that class to get to the material that's new," Tucker says. "If you want to move faster and cut your training time in half, or move slower or repeat portions of the class, you can do that in mentored learning."
In the final analysis, Tucker points out, which type of class you choose is a highly individual decision. What's most important isn't which format you select, but rather the confidence you'll gain from learning, knowing and applying your new skills.
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