Hi Darci,
Good question! The Kleinert book is used as a supplement to our course, not as a primary text. It has some good diagrams, images, and info that are helpful. But it is not reliable as a stand-alone instructional text (even in 2013). The vast majority of what you will learn in the course is the exclusive material delivered in our course units.
Appliance technology does not change anywhere near as rapidly as computer or similar tech. The few things that are newer (say, linear compressors in fridges, R600 refrigerant, a few of the control configurations, induction cooking, internet connectivity) are covered in our courses, which we update as needed. But much of what an appliance tech needs to know is the same as what a tech would have learned 20 years ago.
I hope that helps!
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