I'm confused

Ben McMahan - I looked into the Techdegree for Python so I can only comment on that. In summary:

1) For me, the quality of teaching is the single most important aid to your learning. The Python degree still uses the courses created by Kenneth, so much of it is going to be no different between those in the normal tracks and the Techdegree. Also, the materials are years old so it's not going to be up-to-date.

2) The projects are weak in my opinion and already exist on Youtube from other people (who do a really great job of explaining as they teach). The projects should be data science algorithms, supporting AI, integration to apps. Sure they'll use the same building blocks, but they're not market relevant.

3) I'm not sure what the course is accredited against, but I'm certain it's not to degree standard (but I can't be totally sure). For $1000, I'm not sure I'd invest that in something that is unlikely to be formally accredited and, I suspect, not even recognised by industry that well.

4) The real 'value for money' piece here should be the support of the teachers/staff. Not just to lead you through the material and challenges/projects, but to ensure that you can stand on your own two feet against the competition. I just can't see it being any different to normal; community members providing support for many of the challenges and projects. Every course I have ever run, included me, or my facilitation team, personally providing support to students to ensure they understand in a way that helps them achieve independence.

5) It's a lot of money, for something you can pretty much learn on Youtube for free, or from some of the other cheaper learning sites. Personally, I'd look for someone who runs their own learning website as you're more likely to get their personal support and attention.

Now of course, this is only my opinion so please take it as so. There may well be people who think it's fantastic. Coming from decades in training and various industries, my red flags are around it's validity and relevance for today and more importantly what's around the corner.

Hope that's useful. :)

Damilola - I get your frustrations, I've been there on many occasions with TeamTreeHouse. The cold hard facts are:

1) Don't expect much support from Treehouse themselves, unless your issue relates to a specific bug or a question about their actual videos. Megan answers things from time to time, as does Mel. But for the most part, support falls to 3-4 supportive community members.

2) Kenneth's style of teaching is that of a tech nerd. (I say that with over 25yrs experience employing and managing corporate training and trainers). He talks like we should already know it. There's no doubt he's a great coder, enthusiast, funny guy. But a teacher he's not. (I think he moved on from Treehouse a while back).

3) The Python course with Kenneth is now 7-8yrs old. That's just insane for a learning company teaching IT. These courses should be designed in a component form that allows updated videos to be dropped in as code frameworks evolve and get updated. As soon as you try to code in a current IDE and use the latest Python version, much of the Python course code breaks. Courses should be updated on an ongoing basis. I suspect the problem lies in "profit before customers".

4) In reality this is a library and very little more than that. You follow what they do in the library, then you go out and start coding some basic projects and that's when the real learning starts. Stackoverflow, YouTube and even Facebook communities now seem better versed to help you learn.

5) Udemy is much better in my opinion (and I can only vouch for myself). The Python courses I've done on there, use walkthrough videos, but the explanation tends to be better and more at the pace of a new coder. The code challenges are always followed up with answer sheets, plus an answer video if you want to cheat or have tried and can't complete some of the challenges. (I've learnt more from their end of section tests and code challenges than most of the ones on here).

6) The learning approach, material and support is supposed to build your enthusiasm for doing more coding, not destroy it. Unfortunately I have felt Treehouse courses do the latter too many times.

So in summary, use Treehouse for a basic run through and understanding, but to really learn, pick a project and start coding. Use Youtube and Stackoverflow plus some of the Python communities and I'm sure this will help you develop much quicker.

It feels like Treehouse is slipping and not keeping up with the demands of it's customers. :(

Andy Hughes hmm that does not sound very promising. I'm looking into high ranked programming bootcamps, have no desire to focus on things like AWS, cybersecurity, etc.

Appears that programmers are still in high demand and jobs pay well..?

I absolutely agree and am so glad I'm not the only one!! I was getting really discouraged because I was doing so well with Craig and the courses before this one with Kenneth in the Learn Python track and then when I got to Objects with Kenneth everything was harder to understand. I even slowed down the video speed but he would spew so much important information that should have been in the teacher's notes and would explain things as if we should know them already. The code challenges were impossible for me - I had to always find the answer in the community and rely on the help of others to explain (bless the community). I also didn't like that these challenges didn't have "hints" to use