[Resolved]  Edureka — My experience with Edureka

Edureka is an indian e-learning platform which I have used. I spent some $1000, signing up for three courses on Big Data & Hadoop, Python, and R.

Below are some of my thoughts:
1. It feels as if the instructors woke up in the morning, got a cup of coffee, and sat in front of their computers to teach. What exactly are they teaching...? Slides, power point slides. They read off of it, like it's a Dr. Seuss's book. They do some examples, but they are right on the slides... a simple copying of the code into the terminal. They go over the code by way of reading it... as though that is enough... how educational!

2. The cost: Given the various platforms for e-learning. I would say the live instructors that I have come across, two very nice individuals, and one sarcastic to the point of condescending, seem to be working professionals trying this out. They want feedback, but they often don't create an environment for honest feedback. They seem to say, "don't ruin my evaluation... if you have something to say, say it to me... and your venting should be enough for you." In short, I won't change, but you can change your attitude about me. As though what they are doing is a service to humanity, and just their presence is enlightenment for us. How illuminating!

3. Sales tactics: At first I signed up for one course: Big Data and Hadoop. Before even the first class began, I received a number of phone calls and emails, asking me to join for other classes, and they will give me an extraordinary 27% discount, highest they can go... and they would have to talk with their sales manager before it's possible. What rubbish! As a fool, I signed up... three classes... with the idea that I can choose "sessions" at a later time. One after the other, the courses began but very quickly it dawned on me how poorly the whole experience is. Refund... what refund!

4. Do-over? If I had to choose Edureka! again, I believe I would stay clear of it. I am now using Udemy and am happy with lectures and quizzes that are quite professional and at 3% of the cost of Edureka. Wonderful!