In an attempt to keep up with the ever-changing state of IT, I try to keep up with the latest technology offerings by having my firm pay for a week of training every year.
Traditionally, I've been using Global Knowledge for my training. Originally I liked their classes because they didn't use the slow-pace of "talk about an entire chapter. Have the class read/work through the chapter. Review the chapter" - a pace I find mind numbling slow, and ineffective (if I wanted to just read/work through a book, I wouldn't be paying for an instructor-led class, after all.
Unfortunately, the last class I took with them (for Microsoft Lync training) very much followed this format. While I still learned a good bit about Lync, I really was loathing the class toward the end.
I was going to treat myself to Microsoft TechEd for a more rounded/brush-up of education this year, but somehow got it into my head that this is a fall show - and only got around to looking it up a couple weeks in advance. There shall be no TechEd for me this year.
So I'm left with a training option this year (I'm not sure what I want to take, but likely something Microsoft-Centric, as my entire world is Microsoft here - and yes, that's mostly by choice), and I'm not sure what to do about scheduling something.
So I put it to my local Spiceheads - what training options do you use? Local vendors? Online classes? College classes? Just hit the books yourself (where do you find the time!?)?
I'd like to hear what everyone else uses and would recommend so that I can find an option that will help me really "grok" whatever I'm learning.