Jeff7181
Lifer
So I decided to go to school to get an education in computers and networking. Won't mention what school here, although if you were to search the forums I think I've mentioned it before. Anyway... I'm having second thoughts about it after my 3rd week. I have to admit, I didn't do as much homework on the school as I probably should have, but it's really falling short of my expectations so far.
The school has quite a few degree programs, but the IT related ones are the ones it's most notable for. They appear to have a pretty extensive network on campus and nice equipment, however, the performance of the network is abysmal. Logging into their domain to gain access to the computers in the lab takes 2 or 3 minutes sometimes. One of the courses I?m taking is online? 90% of the assignments are completed on a website. Last week I spent 30 minutes going through a lesson? pages taking 45 seconds to a full minute to load. I ended up basically saying screw this, went home, logged on to the website from home and reviewed the same lesson in 5 minutes. So that was red flag number one.
Red flag number two was in a basic computer class. Rather than testing out of the class I figured I?d take it to make sure there was nothing I?d be missing that would be important later on. The second day of class, we went over basic hardware, and the instructor pointed to an Intel slot 1 CPU (you know, the ones encased in the black cartridge) and called it an old DIP 386 CPU. I figured maybe he had a bad view of the screen and made a mistake as he went by it pretty fast. Later on he pointed to a BIOS chip and called it a CPU. So I had to point out that error and tell him that was the BIOS chip, and that the CPU wasn?t installed on the motherboard in the picture, but if it was, it would go in the larger black slot (slot 1) above the DIMM slots in the picture. Just last week he went off topic about Vista and told the class it was designed for 64-bit processors, so if you don?t have a 64-bit processor it won?t be of any use to you.
I also have a math class, and we do group activities in class, and homework at home. One of the group activities asked us to create an equation to solve a problem given to us in the book. I came up with the answer by trial and error, and asked the instructor to explain to me how to write the equation to get the answer, and he told me ?there really isn?t one? and said he used trial and error like I did. Then I came here and some nice members helped me write the equation that was asked for in the book. So there IS one, contrary to what he said.
I also got really excited about something they said we?d be learning about later on? network virtualization/virtual machines. They use Virtual PC 2004 to teach us with. The more and more I research these things, I see VMware VMware VMware. Nowhere can I find anybody using Virtual PC 2004 or Virtual Server 2005 in a professional environment. Now? VMware Workstation costs significantly more than Virtual PC 2004? but my tuition is $20,000 per year. I think they should be using the best of the best for what we students are paying them.
All of these bad experiences leave me questioning the quality of the education I?m going to be getting. I realize network performance can be effected by a lot of things (stupid staff streaming video or audio), so I won?t hold that against them. Using Virtual PC 2004 instead of VMware? ok. I can live with that? they appear to have some sort of deal with Microsoft? everyone got Office 2003 Professional on the first day with our books. The teacher not being able to identify a slot 1 CPU socket or the difference between a BIOS chip and CPU? hmmm? maybe he?s not the most qualified body in the building, but he?s giving flat out WRONG information. Vista being for 64-bit CPU?s and not of any use to those still using 32-bit CPU?s? hmmm. The math teacher telling me there?s no equation to solve a problem and to use trial and error? hmmm.
So now I think I?m going to talk to my recruiter/representative again and see if I can sit in on one of the more advanced classes like a networking class or Linux/Unix class and see what that?s like. I?m considering the possibility that I may drop out and look elsewhere for an education but I'm not sure how long I should stick it out before I decide it's not worth my time or money.
Cliffs: Technology school not living up to expectations. Instructors don't appear to know what they're teaching all that well. A school that focuses on IT and networking has poor network performance. They teach virtualization with Virtual PC 2004 rather than VMware, which seems to be what's used more "in the field." I'm considering dropping out and seeking a better education elsewhere.
The school has quite a few degree programs, but the IT related ones are the ones it's most notable for. They appear to have a pretty extensive network on campus and nice equipment, however, the performance of the network is abysmal. Logging into their domain to gain access to the computers in the lab takes 2 or 3 minutes sometimes. One of the courses I?m taking is online? 90% of the assignments are completed on a website. Last week I spent 30 minutes going through a lesson? pages taking 45 seconds to a full minute to load. I ended up basically saying screw this, went home, logged on to the website from home and reviewed the same lesson in 5 minutes. So that was red flag number one.
Red flag number two was in a basic computer class. Rather than testing out of the class I figured I?d take it to make sure there was nothing I?d be missing that would be important later on. The second day of class, we went over basic hardware, and the instructor pointed to an Intel slot 1 CPU (you know, the ones encased in the black cartridge) and called it an old DIP 386 CPU. I figured maybe he had a bad view of the screen and made a mistake as he went by it pretty fast. Later on he pointed to a BIOS chip and called it a CPU. So I had to point out that error and tell him that was the BIOS chip, and that the CPU wasn?t installed on the motherboard in the picture, but if it was, it would go in the larger black slot (slot 1) above the DIMM slots in the picture. Just last week he went off topic about Vista and told the class it was designed for 64-bit processors, so if you don?t have a 64-bit processor it won?t be of any use to you.
I also have a math class, and we do group activities in class, and homework at home. One of the group activities asked us to create an equation to solve a problem given to us in the book. I came up with the answer by trial and error, and asked the instructor to explain to me how to write the equation to get the answer, and he told me ?there really isn?t one? and said he used trial and error like I did. Then I came here and some nice members helped me write the equation that was asked for in the book. So there IS one, contrary to what he said.
I also got really excited about something they said we?d be learning about later on? network virtualization/virtual machines. They use Virtual PC 2004 to teach us with. The more and more I research these things, I see VMware VMware VMware. Nowhere can I find anybody using Virtual PC 2004 or Virtual Server 2005 in a professional environment. Now? VMware Workstation costs significantly more than Virtual PC 2004? but my tuition is $20,000 per year. I think they should be using the best of the best for what we students are paying them.
All of these bad experiences leave me questioning the quality of the education I?m going to be getting. I realize network performance can be effected by a lot of things (stupid staff streaming video or audio), so I won?t hold that against them. Using Virtual PC 2004 instead of VMware? ok. I can live with that? they appear to have some sort of deal with Microsoft? everyone got Office 2003 Professional on the first day with our books. The teacher not being able to identify a slot 1 CPU socket or the difference between a BIOS chip and CPU? hmmm? maybe he?s not the most qualified body in the building, but he?s giving flat out WRONG information. Vista being for 64-bit CPU?s and not of any use to those still using 32-bit CPU?s? hmmm. The math teacher telling me there?s no equation to solve a problem and to use trial and error? hmmm.
So now I think I?m going to talk to my recruiter/representative again and see if I can sit in on one of the more advanced classes like a networking class or Linux/Unix class and see what that?s like. I?m considering the possibility that I may drop out and look elsewhere for an education but I'm not sure how long I should stick it out before I decide it's not worth my time or money.
Cliffs: Technology school not living up to expectations. Instructors don't appear to know what they're teaching all that well. A school that focuses on IT and networking has poor network performance. They teach virtualization with Virtual PC 2004 rather than VMware, which seems to be what's used more "in the field." I'm considering dropping out and seeking a better education elsewhere.
