W3Certifie

If you visit W3Schools frequently to learn a language or just to double check your syntax then you have probably seen their certifications section. For those of you that have never been to W3Schools; visit it. This is a website where you can learn just about any language and thanks to the people at W3Fools, they are keeping their content up to date and correct. Easily one of the best places for a beginner to learn web development or even computer programming for that matter since it starts out at the most basic form and then dives deeper into the more advanced stuff. Once you are finished with the subject you are researching you have the opportunity to get certified in said subject from W3Schools, but is it really worth it?

The certifications at W3Schools are a bit expensive. Almost $100 for each certification form ASP to XML. On top of that who really takes these certifications seriously? What companies? I can only imagine how easy it would be to cheat since you take the certifications online. Not only that but how hard can these questions really be? I would understand if they had designated testing areas similar to the Microsoft or Sun Systems certifications; at least then it would be more creditable and I would actually be able to take them seriously.

Sure a certification is a good thing and if you can get one – go for it. From what I have seen though: experience talks louder than certifications. If you have some very nice websites or programs under your belt with the inner workings of an experienced developer I think that would make a bigger difference when up against someone with just a certification. Now again, I’m not saying that certifications are a bad thing because the Sun Systems certifications are nothing to sneeze at. They bring out the knowledge of the entire language which needs to be understood in order to make the best program or website that you can. All I’m saying is: do not get that certification from W3Schools. Would you ever try to get an Online Certification? What speaks louder: experience or certifications?

Written By: Alex Miller