system.AndrewsSchool.com

I didn't know that little factoid, Linda!  Thanks for sharing!  I don't know about the rest of the students, but I would find it very interesting to hear the whole history behind The Andrews School, including how it came to be, how many people it involved, students enrolled, changes that have happened, etc, etc.  Would you be willing to share that?  I think it may help all of us feel more a part of something great, and that has a history.

I might do that, Sara.  Maybe next week after I've rested up over the weekend.

Thanks Linda! :-) Good to know.

I can't resist passing on this associated thought. "Multi-tasking" is not good for the creative, or problem-solving person and having a TV on, or music, or ...whatever.... causes your brain to process information even if the "student" says "Oh it's just background noise", or "I need that".  If you can sense it, your brain processes it. No idea how many times I would enter the scene and say "OK, turn this off, put that away, look up here, wakey...wakey!"  Instructors can be so mean :-)

How many times do you remember an answer to a problem popping into your head when you were just in bed, not yet asleep, or perhaps in the shower, or ..well other activities in the bathroom?  Your brain was FINALLY working at minimal distraction and that's when it works best. So when someone thinks being a "multi-tasker" is a good trait, you may have to accept their opinion (if they are the supervisors) but remember, creativity and problem-solving is hampered by causing your "grey matter" to "multi-task".  So TURN OFF THAT TV !!

I'm glad you added distance learning!  I prefer it.

I am so glad this school is distance learning.  Although I live in a major city, there are only three places to learn coding.  I constantly hear online in the forums that Andrews is the best, but it's expensive.  Compared to the three schools we have here, no it is not.  The local vocational school costs 12K and you don't even get an Associate's degree.  The public community college takes two years and costs about 19-20K.  There is a private for-profit two year college in town that has a two year degree in coding, but the school isn't accredited and would cost about 35K.  I can't believe some enterprising local doesn't start a school here like Linda did.  The demand for coders here is intense.  The graduates of the two colleges get vacuumed up by the insurance industry here and the vocational school can only turn out about 12-15 graduates a year, and this is in a city that is a regional hub for the healthcare industry.  If it wasn't for distance learning I couldn't chase this education.  I couldn't afford the local options. 

Some very good points Linda.  Someone actually asked me today (in somewhat of a snarky way) how my online schooling was going.  I told them it was going great for me.  For someone else it might not be the best option, but I am motivated, self-directed and a very independent learner - some traits I hope will serve me well in a coding career!

I could not conceivably study on-site, even if the school were in Boston where my US residence is. I travel every 3-4 weeks to Germany to see my three young children (shared custody, 50/50), and then back to Boston to be with my spouse while the kids are with their father. My job as a moderator since 2010 is also completely online.

Even if I did not have this trans-Atlantic commute as the past 2+ years, my own health challenges make it unlikely that I could keep up a job that required me to make it in to an office at the same time every weekday, but from home I have rarely had to take a sick day in 4+ years. I take many breaks, do what I need in between shifts to take care of myself and clear my head, hours at a time in classrooms would probably leave me less productive and less efficient at taking in information than when I can do it on my own time. It also makes scheduling medical appointments almost a non-issue since my time is flexible.

In my research of various institutions, I was very happy to find that what seems to be the best school for this field is also all geared toward distance-learning.

Thank you for this school, it's an opportunity I bet many of us would not have had to use our skills and talents for something we are passionate about.

Nikki, your message made me grin.  I also, as you can imagine, get those 'snarky' comments. They usually call it a 'correspondence course' in a disparaging way. If they only knew.    The very best of instructors are not willing to work for the pittance paid by many of the on-site schools. Some pay better than others.

I feel another story coming on:  A very nice colleague of mine called me to 'ask permission' to go to work for a local college. They had offered her the job. The pay was good. She said, "I just don't want to ruin our friendship by going to work for one of your competitors."  I gave her my blessing and told her I was very happy about this great new job. 

A few weeks later I called to ask her how her new job was going. She said she didn't take that job. When she went in for the final interview, she first accepted the job. They spelled out the details of the job, what she would teach, how she would teach it, what books and materials she would use, and how much time would be devoted to each concept. 

She mentioned that nobody could actually LEARN using those books, and certainly not in the length of time they had to learn it.  They wouldn't budge.  So, she said, and I quote, "You told me that you wanted to hire me because of my expertise, but you've chosen the books, the amount of time spent on each topic, and everything else. You've made ALL the decisions, and they are all very bad decisions. I'm not going to take this job because I won't teach that way."

William, hi - may I ask what metro area you live in? 

Thanks!  Hope your studying is going well.  I'm currently in Mod 2.

Carol Ga

Cincinnati, Ohio. It is a pleasure to meet you.  I am just starting lesson two in Mod 1. 

William Si

Well, here's how I feel about studying at home....BLISS! I LOVE IT! I stay home anyways again no children or job or I guess my job is keep the house clean, but this has given me something to look forward too! It saves me GAS and I only walk when necessary, oh yea Sons of Anarchy is BAD***. I'm starting to get the hang of communicating with everyone else that way I don't feel so lonely! Its nice to know that there are other wives and moms out there studying too, gives me hope that I can do it, too! I still hope to find some long  distance friends through our school! 

Linda- hahahaha I'm SUPER grateful I chose a school that will teach the right things! Honestly, if it wasn't for you talking to me over the phone and explaining every thing that I would miss out on I would have hated coding, but thats not the case here! 

I am thrilled you added distant learning because I was about to give up in finding a program with all the courses I needed! I live ~1.5 hours away from the nearest big city and being pregnant I did not want to travel or spend the money on gas.