CompuServe Thread

#ACAD Training @ Drake?

9 messages in this thread
#158339From: Dave Byrnes [AEC TM]Mar 11, 1995 12:41 AM
I've just done a CNA course at Drake. The folks there were very interested to know that I train in AutoCAD and asked me about setting up courses to prepare for the Level 1 and 2 exams. Before I start reinventing the wheel, I'd like to know if any Drake Computer Training shops anywhere in Canada or the U.S. presently offer AutoCAD training. Does anyone know of any?
#158389From: James M. MurphyMar 11, 1995 12:12 PM
David, In a past life I was an Autocad Dealer/Instructor. I'm much better now! I mutated into a 3D Studio Dealer. <BG> Although we used Drake's materials for Novell training we found that the Materials for AutoCAD R12: Upgrade Training through the MicroCAD Institute were the best available at the time. I don't know why you couldn't just work something out with them using their materials instead of re-inventing the lesson plan. You may be able to do it better but it's going to take you a lot of time. I'm not sure if that is what your primary interest is or not. Since they asked you to prepare the lesson plans, perhaps they don't want to pay the institutes fee's. In any event I'd contact them to find out if you can work something out with them. If not, at least you know what the current real-world rates are for this kind of work/product. The Microcad institute is located at P.O. Box 1481 Arlington, MA 02174. Their Phones are: 1-800-448-7871 and the Fax is 617-648-4508. One of their Lab book writer's is Walter Kappelmann, I'd try to talk to him first. Good Luck! Murph'
#158533From: Dave Byrnes [AEC TM]Mar 12, 1995 2:27 PM
James – I know Walter Kappelmann; in fact, he's a good friend of a good friend. I took one of his Train the Trainers courses a few years ago when he was out here in Vancouver. I liked his courseware very much and used it in the R11 courses I taught at the AutoCAD dealers I work with. I wanted to keep using it for R12 but Walter had joined MCI by that time. Walter used to sell us the manuals for Cad$45 each, but if we wanted them through MCI, which of course was now the only way we could get them, we would have had to pay MCI's licence fee of U$1,750 (about U$2,450) *per module*, and we were teaching four modules. Plus the same Cad$45 per manual. We are a relatively small dealer and there was no way we would ever train enough people to justify that expense. I've since taught from Inside AutoCAD, Hands On AutoCAD 12, AutoCAD for Beginners, Applying AutoCAD and AutoCAD and its Applications. Although I'm a co-author of the first two, I have to say I like AutoCAD and its Applications best of all for teaching from. But I think my final solution is going to be to write my own stuff. Dave
#158715From: James M. MurphyMar 13, 1995 4:29 PM
It sounds like you r certainly up to the task. I know it's a lot of work because I had to write one for 3D Studio when our Dealership first got Release 2….looking back on it I should have published it…what the heck, at least it put me in touch with release 2. Now Release 3 that was another major upgrade! Now with R4 and NT R5 coming up….it's absolutly astounding! I love this Business! <BG> Murph'
#158476From: Ted BoardmanMar 12, 1995 5:37 AM
David Ken Flesher 72520,412 at the University of New Hampshire runs some half day Level 1 prep classes. TedB !^NavFont01F0007MGHHG5BEC45
#158532From: Dave Byrnes [AEC TM]Mar 12, 1995 2:27 PM
Ted – thanks. I'll give Ken a call. Dave
#158634From: roger cussonMar 13, 1995 9:38 AM
David…. why done you give Elton Hammond a (shout, buzz, e-mail) Echo Institute is an ATC and a drake testing site. Elton is the ATC manager there. Also Elton has been following the progress of many of his students taking the drake exams… To some students he even includes the drake exams in their overall training fees…. Echo Institute – 613 822 6935 Elton Hammond – 76467,1616
#158781From: Dave Byrnes [AEC TM]Mar 13, 1995 9:40 PM
Roger – thanks! I'll give him a call. Dave
#159520From: JIM WARRENMar 17, 1995 1:44 PM
David: I am with Star Training Institute in Tulsa, OK. We are an Advanced Authorized AutoDesk Training Center offering 13 different workshops using AutoDesk products. We are also a Drake Testing Center providing testing for companies like Novell, Microsoft, IBM, Hewlett Packard, etc. If this is the type of connection you were hoping to find, please feel free to contact me.