| | Vladmir | Hi All! While I have read positive reviews of this program and enjoyed the virtual phases, I had quite a different experience. It was not a positive experience for me due to the lack of skill learning and the lead instructor I had, her attitude and inflexibility ruined the program for many of us.
I really wanted to be a UX Designer! I enjoyed the Virtual Phases and was excited for the in person phase until I was immediately singled out by the lead instructor simply for coming in and out of the building. I am a student and like to work out during the day. I also like to work, free of distractions, in a quiet place when I am not engaged in group work. I am literally paying to take a class and I see no issue with needing some quiet space to complete assignments - people have different learning styles. My inability to focus, which I made clear straight off, was used against me by the Lead Instructor.
The instructor violated the students' learning space by keeping to the minute tabs on their comings and going, going as far as to criticize certain students ways of speaking and engaging, all while ignoring fellow students who didn't even come to class or lectures. The instructor encouraged an atmosphere where students were afraid to participate, using threats against students to "discipline" them (This is an adult class). This is a class about technology which should remain innovative. Students wanting flexibility and freedom, wanting to innovate on ideas, are not bad people or students and do not deserve to be watched and singled out! That is NOT conclusive to a positive, trusting learning environment!
She really created a negative experience and environment at flat iron where I felt scared to engage or participate. People like this should not be instructors and Designation should do something to weed these people out and ensure that only great, empathetic, flexible teachers are employed in the future!
It also did not seem like we learned a lot of hard skills, as presentation making and soft skills were primarily focused on. If you are looking for a more tech-focused design program, please look elsewhere. The lead instructor did not appear to understand some basic technologies utilized in the industry, so I felt like I lost out a lot on this type of instruction.
I know that this program is now part of flat iron, maybe the transition had something to do with it? Either way, my cohort suffered. I cannot speak for the other cohorts, however. |
