In Praise of Microsoft Virtual Academy

A few weeks ago I ran across Microsoft Virtual Academy. I’m still on my first course, but I’m really impressed. They film experts going through a wide variety of their products in-depth, and it’s all free. The course I’m taking is comprehensive and well presented by a ten-year MVP in the area, Andy Wigley, who became a Microsoft employee shortly before filming the course. Every session includes PDFs of their PowerPoint slides for review and there are links to supplementary materials to go into even greater depth. The sessions were originally filmed as a live event, and they have more live events coming up presenting leading technologies.

I doubt I’ll ever make their “Top Students” list, as it seems filled with people who race through clicking every link without watching anything. (Seriously, how else can any U.S. students have 2,327 points for this week by 8 a.m. MST Sunday morning?)

Leave a Reply