Showing posts with label villanova univ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label villanova univ. Show all posts

Villanova University PMP Prep Course- Conclusion

May 31, 2011 | | 1 comments |
This is the last week of Villanova University PMP Prep review.

The course has been worth the time and though I haven’t paid for the course- I would given the material and depth of the classes.

The time spent for taking the course is worthwhile and it simplifies the PMBOK and the lessons very well with definitions and examples.

I haven’t gone around taking their end of the course exam though and wish I had the time (or better planning) to get to it.

Breaking the course work into smaller chunks and including workbook like lessons at the end of each chapter are the smaller tests leading to the big one.

You can’t login into the university online portal once your course schedule is over, however you have the book, CD’s and downloads to keep for future preps and use.

This was my first online course and I don’t mind taking another again.

Thank you Villanova!

Last 3 weeks available here.

Week 3- Additional Tools like Graded PMP Simulations

The Villanova course has been going alright so far. I’m still lagging behind but happy that the videos are of shorter duration and can be downloaded so I can move around with them.

The videos though a lot of them are not long intervals of mindless talking.

These pre-recorded sessions display  the time duration, and it helps; so you can squeeze in a few of the lectures before watching your favorite TV show or going out for your run.

Two trainers (as far as I have watched it) have been doing all the talking- Cynthia Stackpole and C. Aron.

Aron lectures on chapters involving mathematical calculation and I personally liked his style and presentation better than Stackpole’s.

Videos include definitions from the PMBOK, however the course is not an alternative of reading the PMBOK, so make sure you still read it.

So, how is it better than other online courses that are being offered on the web?

Honestly, I haven’t taken a lot of them. What I like about this online course is that, it mails you reading materials as well- for you to keep. So, even when your online access is over, you can still use the CD and study materials to prep for your PMP. That’s a nice and thoughtful touch.

Included is also a graded is a PMP and CAPM Test Simulation which is not part of the course requirement or the score doesn’t affect your final grades.

I think it takes a while to get used to the course, its navigation and utilizing the resources completely.

To read Week 1 and 2 and the Disclosure, click here.

Week 2- It’s tailored for busy and fast moving professionals

The best feature of this course is that is tailored for fast moving people.

The course comes with options:
•You have the hard copy- the course material and the 5 CD’s.
•You can access the material via the web, so you don’t have to carry around the reading material if you don’t want to.
•Download the files in either audio or video format (in compressed file format) and you can watch it offline as well now. Or upload it in your ipod and carry around with ease.

The Course
The course is available in chapter wise like structure, so you are not all loaded with too much information.  The course if of 4 weeks which means, each week comes with its lectures.
•Week 1- 15 lectures
•Week 2- 8 lectures
•Week 3- lectures
•Week 4- 12 lectures

The video and the textual material compliment each other and so you can move back and forth drilling down the material or referring to the other when in need. 

The videos are usually of shorter duration, precise and narrate the chapter well and in required details. 

I have been trying to log on to the site and then listen to the videos, but since I have been lagging behind (blame the new job), I decided to download the videos so I can listen to them easily.

So, when readers like you comment or mail and let me know that you are waiting for the review because you are interested in this prep course, it does help me. 

For week 1 click here.

Villanova University-PMP Prep Course

I have signed up for the PMP prep course and I hope I can write as honestly as I can about it while I take this one month journey.

Week 1- Introduction

Once you are enrolled in the course, the rest of the process happens systematically without any glitches. The course is complimentary  and I have to write about it in the blog. The Villanova team were gracious enough to mail me the course materials to India.

The course material includes a set of 4 books and 2 CD’s. Books include the detailed course materials almost in a workbook like structure.

It comes with an online access that is sent before the course begins. The login gives you access to all the materials as well the videos that you can choose to watch online or through CD.

So, even if you are on the move you can always access your course as long as you are connected to the web.

The course

It’s precise and well represented. If you want to prep in details you can always read the course material before. I went for the online video directly. While you listen to the video, you can also read through the texts available in the left side of the screen.

It’s to the point, simple and structured as you would expect the course to be.

I’ll continue writing about in the coming weeks, so till then enjoy your Monday and plan out what you want to do to get certified.

(Disclosure: this is a complimentary package, I haven't paid for the course)