Tier questions : EVE Online General Discussions

I've looked at guides that say start learning you'r second-tier such as Learning. My Learning is about at level 5 and my mining is already at lvl 5. I just dont understand how to upgrade something to Tier 2.
Any help or advice on anything would be great Thanks...

Less likely, they mean get your skills up from I to II (at least).

More likely, they mean the second tier of skills as those based on "starter" skills.

In the Learning category (for example) you need to get Spatial Awareness up to IV before you can train Clarity. Both give +1 Perception per level, but Spacial Awareness IV to V would take 4-5 days, while Clarity from zero to I takes minutes!

For gunnery, you have to get small turret to III, to get medium turret. That kind of thing. And for piloting better ships, same applies -- frigate -> cruiser, etc.

Thank you, I think I understand.
On another note so I dont have to create another Thread i'll ask it here.
What would be better a pure Defensive or a pure Offensive ship? *I know you can't have pure one of the other ,but Basicly one focusing on one main thing ,i'm sure you get the idea*

Such as Defensive being mostly focused on Shielding and Power.
Offensive focusing on Heavy Weapons Fire and what not.

If one is better than the other can you tell me in your best
opinion what the best ship and rig plus any help on what implants would be great. Im working on a Mining Character ,but I want to go ahead and create and start Learning Skills for my PvP character.

*If Defensive or Offensive is picked what would be the best Race/Character/Implant Points*

Just any help and opinions would be very much appreciated.