Learn software with or without a live trainer?

There's no doubt that over time I've been a bit biased about whether it's best to learn software with a trainer or on your own.  I think this is just because of circumstance.  Having been so lucky, though not really knowing it at the time, to be able to have access to a computer and software at such an early time, trainer-led courses were not readily available.

Learning on my own naturally evolved.  But, now as I'm here so many years later, and after checking out quite a few "just watch" online training sessions, I've landed in the opposite position.  Software has grown and grown, and continues to, as software development companies use their abilities to wow and entertain with what's possible, while this "fun stuff" doesn't really translate into the working world.  But it is cool!

What does keep the wheels turning are the folks who embrace and perfect the most useful skills.  Trying to be this type of software user on your own can be a long haul.  That's exactly why my focus as a software trainer, often referred to more as a "teacher", has led me back to a live Instructor platform.  The added layer of learners having the option to ask a question and receive an answer from a trainer at the same time they are absorbing new skills really is empowering after all!