This training kit is a great resource for developers, trainers, consultants and evangelists who need to understand SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 R2 improvements from a developer perspective. It contains a rich set of presentations, demos, hands-on labs and videos that are perfect for self-paced learning or for conducting your own training.

The easiest way to get started with the training kit is to download it, install it, open default.htm and browse the kit for the content that you are most interested in. Many of the presentations and demos in the training kit include a video that you can watch to familiarize yourself with the content. When you are ready for some hands-on experience, try installing one of the demos or hands-on labs. Each of them includes a configuration wizard that simplifies installation.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.php?FamilyID=fffaad6a-0153-4d41-b289-a3ed1d637c0d

The training kit is divided into four sections:

• Getting Started (for Web and BI developers who are new to SQL Server)
• SQL Server 2008 (for experienced SQL Server developers who want to understand what’s new in 2008)
• SQL Server 2008 R2 (for experienced SQL Server developers who want to understand what’s new in 2008 R2)
• Office 2010 (for experienced BI developers who want to understand what’s new in 2008 R2 and Office 2010)