All reviews of John Roads
Review about: Shaw Academy
Graphic Design Module 1 (1-month trial)
I signed up for a trial for two reasons. First (and primarily), out of interest in gaining a working knowledge of the theory and skills needed. Second, I wanted to compare how Shaw Academy provides training versus how other companies do it.
PROS:
1. The lecturer for my course was very personable and engaging (as far as one-sided lectures go). She had a dynamic and interesting slide deck with great examples that clearly demonstrated the talking points. It was nice that she posed questions and encouraged some on-the-spot thinking about relating her examples to real-life examples all around us.
2. Lessons were scheduled and spaced out. This gave me time to reflect on the information given and do my own research, finding a variety of examples using the new information. In addition, though not required, small assignments were given for us to take information from the lectures and apply it to a small project in preparation for the next lecture.
3. Email support was quick when I contacted them with issues I encountered.
4. As a bonus for signing up, we were told it was possible to get a full month trial of Photoshop instead of the normal one week trial from Adobe.
CONS:
1. The big one is this: as others have mentioned, the one-click purchase buttons are a little unnerving. They also seem a bit expensive assuming students pay for monthly membership, and then pay separately for course packets, and then again for eCerts recognizing completion (and twice as much for a physical certificate) - and this is for each module. If this is not how it works (it's not clearly explained anywhere that I found) it would be nice to know. I also did not readily see a clear description of what is contained in each packet, only a brief mention of "bonus material."
2. Inside the chat window is an AI chat bot they call Morpheus. I'm not sure what the purpose was as I saw no gain from it. It simply acknowledged when I typed something in the window prompted by the lecturer. The only information it relayed was a reminder at the end of the lesson regarding upcoming lessons, but since I got email reminders from Shaw Academy anyway, that wasn't really necessary.
3. The webinar waiting room procedure didn't work well. For the second lesson, I entered the room early and the screen said to press play to start the class, but it instead took me to a secondary screen with no controls and where nothing happened. After five minutes into the class and nothing was happening on my screen, I decided to try again. I went back to my email reminder and clicked on the start class button again and it took me to a new window where the class was already in session, so I missed the first five minutes.
4. This one is common to almost all the learning webinars I've participated in from several online learning sites. The course was pretty much one-way and there was no official coursework, grading or other method of verifying I was making progress other than a short quiz (that seemed to be optional). I'm hesitant to even mention this as a con for Shaw, because I have yet to see ANYONE else implement a good way to judge a mass group of students online.
BOTTOM LINE:
Even though there are some technical hiccups, a lack of information about what all is available on their website to help during specific courses, and supplemental resources seemed pricey, I found the information presented in the lectures to be solid and well worth the time.The experience was great,but the tutor is too fast.
Not happy. Money taken from my account with my consent. Very underhanded.
I find it very realistic and very helpful in this time of pandemic,because it is a great opportunity that in developing professionaly shaw academy send its way to delivers continuety of education at home.Being capacitated makes you capable of doing the right thing because you are now packed with knowledge to become suitable on the things you want to.In my first and second lesson,i feel satisfied with the learnings because it is very timely.Thank Shaw Academy.God bless your way of helping people like us.
I really enjoyed this class. Had a great intro. The teacher was very engaging and fun to listen to. I am looking forward to the class!
I just finished my first lesson and am very excited. I found the teacher engaging and able to squeeze a lot of information into a short period of time without seeming rushed. I look forward to learning how learning with Shaw Academy. The pop-up ads in the middle of the lessons are off-putting. The toolkit and e-certificate packages are already listed on every page and I would like to focus on the lesson during the online session. Also, concerned about the positioning of the one click buy button as it would be very easy to make a mistake and hit it.
I enjoyed the class but I m unable to start quiz...
I enjoyed my first class alot. Looking forward to rest of the classes. The teacher was friendly and nice too. Information is easy to absorb.
Second lesson was quite interesting I'm really looking forward to the rest of the course
Shaw academy deserve more 5????⭐, looking forward to finish the course successfully .????
I have had the best time so far with my classes,very informative and understandable,can't wait to learn more
It was a nice and great experience being part your class.
TOTAL SCAM. One and a half months after CANCELLATION, they have taken 50 Euros from my account for no reason. Even though I had no access to the platform or any communication AT ALL, they have unlawfully charged me and are now refusing a refund. Their initial claim was that I did not cancel, then they said that the cancellation was "not complete" despite having no access to the platform, having a member of their team gathering feedback about the cancellation and not having any payments as the trial period expired or the month afterwards. They have RANDOMLY AND UNLAWFULLY taken money from my account for a service that was not provided, based on an absolute and non-sensical lie (that I did not cancel, despite the overwhelming evidence). Shaw Academy is nothing but a collection of pre-recorded and fairly poor musings about different subjects that acts as a front SCAM OPERATION, that even as you follow their procedures still has the nerve to illegally take money from your bank account.
TOTAL SCAMMERS WITH HARD SALES PITCHES
Would not give a refund after I cancelled within the 4 weeks free trial period
Said that as I went back on the site I had re instated the course
I only went on to make sure it was cancelled !
So stay away if you need any more proof they were actually featured on watchdog and have a look at Trustpilot as Shaw Academy are pestering people to change their reviews to good
UNTRUSTWORTHY COMPANY not interested in education but driven by money , yours !
The presenter is good. The information is basic, but good overall.