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Should I try android development course?

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  • 07-10-2014 8:06pm
    #1
    Mac 79
    Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭


    I think I'm in the right place to post this.
    A momentum course has come in android development that I'm half interested in. And I'm looking for anything that could sway me in either direction. I started a momentum software development course last Summer and am just about to sit the java associate exam, so I'm trying to figure out my next move on breaking in to the industry.
    I was also looking at a BSc(hon) in computing and IT with Open university which would take 4 years part time that starts in Feb, I would also be looking for internships/jobs while doing this.
    Check out wwwDOTdevstreamDOTio for the android development. It would also involve a move from Cork to Dublin, and putting the BSc on hold. It looks like a good learning environment. it would be 30 weeks with 11 weeks work experience.

    I guess what I'm trying to ask is should I specialise in android or go broader with the BSc? I could always learn android on the side. Right now I just want to get into programing and have no clear direction apart from knowing java.


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    #2
    The Corinthian
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19,777 ✭✭✭✭The Corinthian


    I don't believe that one realistically requires a course to learn how to develop for Android as it was designed to be accessible to developers who already had knowledge and experience in existing technologies - specifically Java, XML and Eclipse.

    I'd also be suspicious of any Android 'teacher' in a private 'school' - my feeling is that if they were any good they'd not be teaching.

    It's interesting that the course includes a work placement; I'm a fan of the concept, but believe that unless you're looking to convert the placement to a permie role then 11 weeks isn't a lot and even a quick search on Jobridge brings up a longer internship in the area; so you don't really need this course to find a job placement.

    And if you did go permie, then your BSc would end up not on hold, but abandoned - which I would not recommend.

    So, my opinion is teach yourself. Start with Hello World and work your way up to releasing a few of your own apps, then with this portfolio approach a few companies directly for work experience, after you've finished your degree.


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    #3
    Mac 79
    Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭Mac 79


    Thanks, I needed a second view on this. It was the work experience that was the draw for me to the course. I'd prefer to have a 6 or 9 month internship anyway but they are a bit harder to get into, but I had an interview for one of them when I had much less experience than I do now. So it's just a case for finding the right one.
    My gut feeling is to go for a BSc anyway.


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    #4
    MyPeopleDrankTheSoup
    Registered Users Posts: 2,739 ✭✭✭MyPeopleDrankTheSoup


    isn't this related to social welfare? like you can still get your dole and do the course? sounds like a good deal to me, a few mates are thinking of doing it. i'd be always of the view that anyone with an internet connection can learn how to code on their own but everyone's different. what i would have given for internet back in 1995 when i was playing around with Visual Basic!

    lol at that jobbridge ad. didn't know SMS scam billing was still a thing.


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    #5
    The Corinthian
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19,777 ✭✭✭✭The Corinthian


    georgiecasey wrote: »
    isn't this related to social welfare? like you can still get your dole and do the course? sounds like a good deal to me, a few mates are thinking of doing it.
    And if he wasn't already doing a BSc, I'd probably tell him to go for it.
    i'd be always of the view that anyone with an internet connection can learn how to code on their own but everyone's different. what i would have given for internet back in 1995 when i was playing around with Visual Basic!
    Resources for learning how to code were a lot thinner on the Internet back then, many of the sites of that period (anyone remember 4GuysfromRolla?) only started appearing around 1998 - 99, so you still would have shell out for books.
    lol at that jobbridge ad. didn't know SMS scam billing was still a thing.
    Where was SMS mentioned in the advert?


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    #6
    Mac 79
    Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭Mac 79


    Thanks. I missed that internship, it was not in the category I was searching
    georgiecasey wrote: »
    sounds like a good deal to me, a few mates are thinking of doing it.
    The courses I've done have looked good but were more of a taste of what you could be doing rather than getting you to work, they were too short. There's still places left if your mates all still interested, date was pushed back 3/4 weeks too.


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    #7
    radar0976
    Registered Users Posts: 433 ✭✭radar0976


    Android Development (under the title of Mobile App Development) is taught in CIT by day and night.


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    #8
    Johnny Jukebox
    Registered Users Posts: 658 ✭✭✭Johnny Jukebox


    I did a series of 3 Android development courses on coursera (http://www.coursera.org) this year.

    They are free of charge but there is an optional signature track.

    I found them useful and challenging - you will need to work hard, read a lot, google and generally exercise your brain to complete them successfully. There is also great community activity during the courses - 10,000s of people sign up so there is always a diverse range of commentry, questions and assistance on the forums.

    Check out their schedules to see when they come around again.

    As an aside, this was my first experience of a MOOC and while not perfect, I can see it becoming a primary method of delivering ongoing professional education.


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