Usually the classes are offered through Continuing Education at the university where I work. They're paid for by the university, and are offered in a computer classroom where you can basically get hands on when the instructor is there to offer ideas for modifying other people's script, how to get the most functionality out of the program you're using, and good links to go to for examples. This thread is cheaper than the class, it is certainly a hands-on environment, but the person leaning over my shoulder saying "if you put this script just so it will work" is missing. Other than that, it has been very helpful.
I agree absolutely about using Notepad--it is my single most heavily used tool in all of this web design work. It removes all of the formatting that the other MS programs place on the text, and lets you work with it fresh. I couldn't begin to do this work without it.
Bill D. and Peter, thanks for the links--I'll go in and take a look, and take Notepad with me.