Online Training or classroom based?

It's basically a balance between cost/benefit verus price/value. The difference between the two is the TOTAL cost/benefit and the actual monetary price/and "perceived" value. In other words, look at a choice between taking classes at a local accredited organization versus an online course with MIT. What if the price of taking the MIT course was lower?..would that be intriguing? However unless you already have substantial experience you won't "benefit" from the student pool of experience. I think you already have an idea of what you need to do, like you mentioned the budgets tight so a mix might be in order taking the easier classes at home, the harder ones in class, that's what I did, check out the local used book stores, you might find the exact same material for half the price, worked for me.

you have to factor in whtas your study habit.
I know I study better in a classroom based class, since I have to be there, it's on a fixed schedule and there won't be any outside disturbance tolerated. On the other hand online training or studying from books, you have to design your own timeschedule and keep to it and take care that you wont get distracted by something (I have not touch a book in 3 weeks , after passing w2k pro). So you have to know your own strenghts and limits. And of course you have to balance that with your budget. If you are fortunate your current or future employer will provide you the means to study, if not you have these to consider.

Leopold

If im not not mistaken at cramssession.com , brainbuzz.com etc have some artickles on this very topic.

In my MCSE pursuit, I did not have the budget or time for classroom instruction. I have been in the classes before, and in my opinion, I did not miss anything not taking classes. Sure, it is helpful to some to be in a class 8 hours a day for 5 days,going over a single topic (2000 Server, 2000 Pro, etc). If that works for you then go for it. It was just not the approach I wanted to take.
Now, trying to study during lunch will be impossible, since people ALWAYS come up to you and ask you stupidquestions, wasting your time and theirs. Luckily for me, I have a 1 hour and 15 minute commute by train to work every day. That gave me 2 1/2 hours per day to just sit there, studying. I would pick up a study manual, plus I ran 2000 Pro and Server on my laptop, and this is how I did it. Read stuff in the book, then do it on the laptop, all while the train is rolling down the line.
I think you need to set some time each day without interruption, where you can devote yourself fully to learning all of the Microsoft-approved answers to their wacked-out questions!
In my opinion.

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