Thought I'd throw my hat in here. Until fairly recently, I was one of those teaching a (used to be $2800) 5-day intensive Java course for Sun. And sometimes a student would say, "Can't I just go across the street to Borders Books and save about $2750?" And it's pretty hard to argue with that. I put up signs in Sun's course development department that said, "Somebody just paid $3000 for this course... is it worth it?" to help motivate us to do some SERIOUS value-add as course developers and instructors.
So here's what I think:
* A five-day intensive is perhaps the worst way to learn Java (or most anything, for that matter). Although it *is* fully immersive, without any time to practice and process between classes, there's only so much a brain can handle. A good instructor can help compensate for the sub-optimal format, but the bottom line: a five-day intensive course does not support most people's brains, and no matter how fabulous the instructor is, the material just cannot be processed effectively (at least not enought to justify the high price).
* A spread-out twice-a-week course at a local college can be MUCH more effective, from a learning perspective. Although I never taught Java that way, I did teach programming, animation, all kinds of other stuff at UCLA extension, and over the course of several years I was doing BOTH the five-day intensives and the spread-out 6 or 12 week courses, and in almost every case, there was more success with the spread out courses (which were also less expensive).
* A good book plus a study guide or other learning plan can be nearly as (or sometimes MORE) effective than anything else. And gee, I'll be darned if I don't have two Java books coming out in the next three months ; )
Now, that all said, I recently did a five-day intensive Certification Preparation (for
SCJP) on the JavaJam III Geek Cruise (Alaska), and all participants said it was worth every penny (and bout of seasickness). One of the students just took the exam, and not only passed, but aced it (90%) three weeks after the cruise (working full time during those intervening three weeks). And she didn't really know much Java before that. So, she swears it was completely worth it, and actually all the other attendees said the same thing (although they have yet to take the exam).
And I also used to teach a game-development intensive (7 days), and I had several success stories from that program that really amazed me. One student was the producer of the Rolling Stones CD-ROM game within 7 months, and on the cover of a magazine, and she barely even had computer skills when she came to the class! (But she was shockingly smart and extremely dedicated). And I've seen the names of other graduates from that course showing up in the credits of games.
But in general, I don't think a five-day is the way to go unless:
* It is the ONLY way you can attend a course (your employer won't let you off any other time, or there aren't any good college night courses nearby, etc.)
* You are one of the more rare people who can process and learn REALLY quickly, and can benefit from the five-day intensive format.
* You have no choice because you're on a deadline (like, you just found out you're taking an exam in 8 days).
* You are someone who simply can't learn from a book, regardless of how good it is, because you need the focus of being in a class, or you need the help of a "live" instructor, and a five-day is your only option.
*You have the opportunity to go on a Geek Cruise (take it! It is so worth it! Perhaps it's the combination of ocean air and the fact that the classroom day is broken up much more than in a normal five-day course, but it's just a fabulous experience).
So what about conferences vs. courses? You might or might not learn a ton from a conference, but the networking and food can be worth the price : )
Colorado Software Summit is legendary for the food and conversation, and some of the sessions are extremely informative and enlightening (and some are entertaining as well).
JavaOne I just love anyway, and I personally have found it to be worth the price for all four years I have attended. Before working for Sun, I had to pay my own way, and I never regretted it. I have come back from every single JavaOne with something I considered extremely valuable, and often a year before anyone else started hearing much about it. It has always given me a good direction for the next year. And some things, like Jini, you just don't get a chance in your daily life to meet many people who are involved with it, and this is a place to be able to do that. (Even as a Sun employee, I hardly ever bumped into people who knew much about Jini, other than Michael Ernest or Simon Roberts).
My bottom line: It is rarely worth it to take a five-day intensive, but sometimes it can be your best (or only) option. A good instructor can overcome some of the limitations of that format, but only so far.
OK, that's the cowgirl perspective on this whole thing.
cheers,
Kathy