Shaw Academy - Online Courses

Blessing Farm

4 years ago

Preface: After writing this review and reading others, I find it very interesting that so many students had the same concerns and troubles I had with the one-click purchase charge, yet Shaw Academy did not respond to any of their reviews. Hmmm. After attending classes in three subjects, Photography, Illustrator, and Graphic Design during a trial period, I am of a divided mind about this company. Of the three classes (having watched the first two classes of each), the only one that had information I felt was truly helpful and delivered in an interesting way, was Graphic Design. I was examining the product as a possible method for my home educated students to use as electives. I will not be using it for a few reasons. First of all, there are constant reminders on the pages to buy the certificates and the education pages (which includes teacher notes, slides, and supposedly extra videos). You have to close these windows every time you go on the site. Once, I accidentally clicked the box (to find out more info on the offering and if there was a way to opt out) and it caused a ONE-CLICK purchase on the account it required for the free trial. I am still waiting to see if I will receive a refund. Getting hold of them is not as easy as they make it out to be. Their "helper" for each class is an AI that will try to answer questions from key words and prior student responses, or give you the option to "ask the class" (anyone attending when you chose to attend). There are also about fifty emails and lots of texts reminding that it is time for class, which would be good for younger students, but just filled up my email box. I first attempted to "attend class" during an emergency vet visit (using my phone), but was unable to make the class play the audio, even though I could see the slides (I did reschedule and watch it on my computer later and it was a bit mediocre as far as delivery and information given). They do have a liberal rescheduling policy, though, and even give the option of restarting the class completely, which is nice, but it all gets to be a bit much. On the positive side, the idea of a certificate might be beneficial for High Schooled homeschoolers to include in their portfolio when they apply for college, esp. during the COVID crisis. They do have Facebook pages for students to post completed assignments and interact with each other. In the Design course, you are offered an extended trial of Adobe if you attend the first two classes so you can complete the work. It is the one I was most impressed with. However, the fact that there were numerous banners with ONE-CLICK purchases (no link to a purchase page or asking if you are sure you wanted to purchase this item) would keep me from recommending it as it is too easy to accidentally hit that button and wham!, there goes your money. I am disappointed in this, as I was truly hoping this would be a way my older kids could attend an interactive class. I hope they resolve the issue. One more thing: the instructors I have heard speak with UK accents, so if you are from anywhere else and have trouble understanding them (I did not), you will not want to try this out. The audio is otherwise fine (on my computer at home) and the classes are audio with slides, about 45 mins to an hour long each, assignments you can post on the FB page, and a final project if you opt in for the certificate. You can choose one or two days a week to attend and also pretty much any time of day, as well as reschedule if you have a scheduling issue come up. That was nice as it happened to me several times. You can also watch the classes over once they are attended (or your time to attend has passed) if you want to go over the information again, or watch the first time and take notes the second. I hope this information is helpful to someone. It is more than is available on the site. I will continue the trial for another week and update this review accordingly if a refund is made of the unwanted purchase, or any contact made at all to discuss the issues I listed. Best of luck.

E Thorn

5 years ago

There were too much advertising and promoting. I signed up for 1 course, 4 weeks and received a LOT of notifications and emails before the course even started!🤦 When you miss a class, you should be able to just click on a replay vs reschedule as that would delay it longer. It wasn't very easy to navigate through the app to either start the new class or view the one missed.

M W-B

5 years ago

Excellent app! Very convenient, you can set your class time, if need be, you can reschedule, if something comes up. You can literally learn anytime and anywhere. Kind and personable instructors! Great content and study material! Excellent resources. You can't go wrong with a lifetime membership. You have the Choice Also to purchase a certificate or not. Either way, so easy! And fun. I HIGHLY recommend Shaw Academy!

A Google user

5 years ago

The classes are good, you can only access the recording after your scheduled class, you can't skip ahead if the class is covering something you already know, notifications are very annoying, the subscription is difficult to cancel. They make canceling your subscription extraordinarily difficult. You have to hit continue about 5 times and then you end up having to call. I ended up just putting a stop payment through my bank because that was easier than trying to deal with canceling through Shaw

Sean Burns

5 years ago

I've been using Shaw Academy for several classes now. As a graphic designer I've found their courses to be affordable, comprehensive and available to me with a hectic schedule. It's also really great to have access to the courses after completion in case I ever want to review or a refresher on specific information. The toolkits for additional purchase are also helpful. If you're on the fence about paying extra, the free resources have everything you'll need but if the course is your passion it's worth the extra investment.

Ed Banz

4 years ago

- while the recording is being played on the phone, it cannot change orientation to landscape - recording is more than 2yrs old. Too much pleasantries at the beginning of the lesson - recording is locked. Cannot move back or forward if you missed something or want to be sure if you heards the right word 10sec before - cant seem to make the video cannot go full screen on phone - if you accidentally close the video on the phone, you have to start all over again with the recording

Lauren Wehrman

4 years ago

The classes are supposed to be interactive but there was nowhere to input your answers. A message popped up half way through and asked if I wanted to take the quiz which I declined since I hadn't even finished the class. After the class, I tried to access the quiz and assignment but they were locked. The content of the class itself was really good!

Wyatt Carson

4 years ago

Do what they offer, but shady practices. Its very expensive, after the trial, but thats the bad part. The bad part is when you want to cancel you go through 7 pages trying to sway you otherwise to just end up on a page saying you have to call someone to cancel. Called them to cancel and the call center was so loud I couldn't hear and they try and push you to talk to others or get a couple days extension on your trial. Until you're assertive, they won't cancel your subscription.

A Google user

5 years ago

I got a 4 week course thru T-Mobile, used it to take an Excel class. Very helpful, like the fact that I can go back and watch the lessons at a later time if I want. The things I don't like - everytime you open the app it tries to get you to buy something, put a card on file, etc. Also, even though I attend the class - I get messages saying I missed the class, etc

Trezvan Carrigan

4 years ago

Attempted several times to cancel subscription before I was charged seeing that the platform isn't as helpful as it could be. I call to cancel and the automated system sent me through the same list of options several times with no option to speak to a person and my account was still charged, though I was never even able to attend a full class. I am very disappointed at the tedious nature of the cancelation process.

Alyssa

5 years ago

They promoted a course for free so I made an account. What they don't tell you is they take 50 cents from you and that you have to pay for tools for the free course. But you don't find that out until afterwards of course. I tried to cancel and their customer service is as bad as Sprint. I had to go through many tabs and keep pressing "cancel course trial" more than once. Then after that you can't even cancel. You have to call a number, which they don't even answer, so either way you're screwed.

Kit Kendal

4 years ago

I'm really loving the classes so far and the ease of access. I started this on impulse from an ad with hopes to refresh on my college design courses and learn more and ive already done that in just a few lessons. The ease of access from phone, browser, or computer is nice. I especially love all the reminders for classes 😅 im forgetful and sometimes not as committed to optional classes or schedules etc. So even if its a bit much, it makes sure i have ny class on my mind and don't miss it.

A Google user

5 years ago

Useful courses. The app needs to fix these issues — 1) It doesn't remember the last viewed position of any video in the courses, it's highly cumbersome to fast forward each time (older version of the app had this feature). 2) unable to unsubscribe or remove a course after we add and it doesn't prevent same course being added by mistake again. Eager to see the defects fixed.

Cheryl De Lyons

4 years ago

I've had an awful time trying to attend class. Each time the hour came at count down, the screen would appear and freeze with no sound. When I tried dialing back in, the class was only available to watch as a recording or reschedule for the NEXT day or so!! Exasperating to say the least!! I got through 3 lessons which were interesting and informative, however, the continuous need to reschedule was infuriating!!

J Ward

4 years ago

I give it a four. I was brought in under the pretense it was free. Given the current pandemic, money is overwhelmingly tight. The service rep offered me finance options, but I've no idea when my income may pick back up. It would be difficult to pay my bill with hope--regardless of financing. I signed on for their blockchain offering. It seemed hyper-charged in its solicitations, but reminders are a good thing, yes? I had to withdraw, but if you've the funds, I say go for it.

She Wilburn

5 years ago

Though there is quite a bit of good information, it is very misleading and full of SPAM. The 4week course to get certified, is actually 1 of 8 segments you need to get the certificate. Once you enroll/sign up, the texts, emails and notifications are endless! At least 2 every hour. And it is not linked to your actual account. While in the class I got a notification that I had missed the class and need to reschedule...? And from what I've read I'm not looking forward to the cancellation process...

A Google user

6 years ago

Not very responsive. When I download a lesson to view through HDMI on a larger screen, it prompts me to rate app. Whether I hit "later" or "rate app" the pop up appears 3 times. If I am in one course and hit the back button, it takes me to my first ever course and i have to renavigate to where I was. Unable to take final exams or order e-diplomas in app. Website has much better functionality and ease of use.