iOS Lead Essentials Course Evaluation: A Comprehensive Review
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The iOS Lead Essentials course, developed by the Essential Developer Academy, aims to transform students into well-rounded senior developers, making them among the most sought-after and highest-paid iOS professionals globally. The academy's objective is to facilitate technical mastery in iOS development while helping students position themselves as leaders within the software industry. Enrolling in this program connects you with a supportive community committed to your growth and success.
At least, that's the claim.
In this article, I will share my insights regarding the academy, the community, and the course itself. I will break down my thoughts into several sections:
- A brief introduction about myself in relation to the course.
- Initial concerns I had prior to enrollment.
- My expectations versus what I experienced.
- Observations on the ups and downs of the course.
- My future plans.
- Concluding thoughts.
Introduction to Myself in Relation to the Course
Who Am I?
I joined the academy in December 2023, almost four months ago. At that point, I had three years of practical experience working as an iOS developer in product companies. I had been consistently promoted due to my dedication, strong work ethic, and commitment to my employer.
Previously, I earned a degree in computer science with the aspiration of becoming an engineer. Concurrently, I dedicated 1-2 years to studying iOS development, fueled by my interest in the field.
I hope my background is clear. So why did I choose to enroll in the academy, especially when I was already doing well?
The Need for Courses
I believe I am still at the early stages of my career, and with the rapid pace of technological changes, programmers must continually acquire new knowledge to remain competitive.
Courses (specifically high-quality ones) are invaluable as they provide a structured way to learn new concepts quickly by consolidating relevant information. Additionally, it can be challenging to find free resources on advanced topics.
Thus, if you're eager to explore new areas without the hassle of sifting through endless resources and are willing to invest financially, courses are a worthwhile investment in your future.
Why Choose the iOS Lead Essentials Course?
Prior to enrollment, I was familiar with the academy's YouTube channel, where they typically share mentoring sessions with students. I often wondered about the backgrounds of these students, the depth of their questions, and what it would take for me to deliver solutions as effectively as the academy's instructors.
The insights provided were not merely about "using this pattern" or "following that principle." They consistently began with a focus on design and writing tests first.
As someone with considerable experience and surrounded by skilled developers, I can assure you that the approach taken by the instructors was exceptional!
Unexpectedly, a new cohort was announced, and I was convinced that enrolling was essential for me to elevate my skills.
I trust my motivation is clear. Now, what concerns did I have regarding the course?
Concerns
Limited Access Duration
Students have access to course materials for only one year, which is disappointing. It means students must memorize or document essential information, which can be overwhelming. I’m still contemplating how to tackle this challenge.
Cost Consideration
The price tag of $2,500 for a single course is significant, isn’t it? It varies by perspective. For me, the course was perfectly aligned with my interests, and I couldn’t find anything comparable elsewhere. Plus, I received a $500 discount, making the decision easier. However, $2,000 is still a considerable amount.
Fear of Being Scammed
My knowledge of online courses was limited, leaving me uncertain about the legitimacy of this one. There were few reviews available outside the academy's website. Nevertheless, I opted to give it a shot, and now I'm sharing my experiences to assist others in making informed choices.
I hope my concerns are valid. What were my specific expectations and how did they compare to reality?
Expectations vs. Reality
From the course description, I had the following expectations:
Thinking as a Senior Developer — 100% Satisfaction
Right from the start, we dove into planning techniques such as Dependency Diagrams, BDD, TDD, Use Cases, Architecture, and Modular Design. This structured approach continued throughout the course. I found it incredibly motivating and began applying these strategies at work, leading to improved task management and outcomes. The breadth of topics covered was vast, and my perspective on development has shifted significantly!
Writing Tests — 100% Satisfaction
We focused on writing tests first for all assignments. I now understand various testing methods, their importance, and how to implement them. The theoretical foundations provided were excellent, and I plan to practice further to sharpen my skills.
Writing Clean Code — 100% Satisfaction
The course explored numerous approaches, emphasizing best practices in architecture and design patterns. The material was presented at an appropriate pace, making it easy to grasp.
Writing Frameworks — 66% Satisfaction
While we didn't create a Monolith project, we successfully implemented horizontal modular slicing with vertical feature slicing, which was impressive.
However, I was disappointed that we didn’t cover how to create frameworks using CocoaPods or SPM, although there is another module titled iOS Dev Tooling where I know this will be addressed.
Completing Challenging Homework — 50% Satisfaction
We had four homework assignments that aligned closely with the course content. If I encountered difficulties, I could always refer back to the lectures, which made the tasks manageable. However, I would have preferred assignments that differed from the coursework.
Using Databases — 100% Satisfaction
We began with FileManager and transitioned to CoreData, demonstrating modular design principles seamlessly. The insights gained about CoreData were invaluable.
Setting Up CI/CD Processes — 66% Satisfaction
We initiated our learning with Travis CI but quickly shifted to GitHub Actions. While the coverage was extensive, I hoped to explore profiling and bundles more thoroughly, which wasn’t addressed in the iOS Lead Essentials course. Again, I anticipate discussing this in the iOS Dev Tooling module.
Overall, my expectations were mostly met. Were there any noteworthy side effects?
Side Effects: Ups and Downs
Community
The community on Slack comprises nearly 800 individuals, including students, moderators, and instructors. It’s a fantastic resource; everyone is friendly and willing to help with questions related to programming, career guidance, and more. I appreciate how instructors respond to queries—they provide hints to encourage independent problem-solving rather than simply giving answers.
However, some may perceive the program as a one-size-fits-all solution; thus, unrelated questions may lead to recommendations to revisit the lectures instead of direct answers.
Thorough Code Reviews
The quality of code reviews in this program is outstanding. The feedback is detailed, and the reviewers are courteous and meticulous—there’s much to learn from them.
Automation
Everything, from chat rules to PR handling and code reviews, is highly automated. Even obtaining a certificate requires a bot to validate your work. Their expertise in CI/CD processes is evident.
Language Proficiency
As a non-native English speaker, I found this course beneficial for enhancing my technical English. Every lecture is delivered in English with subtitles, and detailed descriptions are provided. The entire community communicates in English, which is a significant advantage!
Future Plans
Having completed nearly four months as a student, I have finished the main module—iOS Lead Essentials, successfully completed the project, tackled all challenges, and viewed the lectures. I’ve received my Certificate of Completion!
I still have eight months left and two modules to complete: iOS Dev Tooling and iOS Dev Mentoring Sessions. Additionally, the academy employs a grading system where completing various tasks, including revisiting the iOS Lead Essentials module, can improve your grade.
These are my objectives for the remainder of the year!
Conclusion
In summary, I am incredibly grateful!
The Essential Developer Academy is a remarkable institution that genuinely supports its students' success.
If you are contemplating whether to enroll in the iOS Lead Essentials course, review its description and trust that all advertised topics will be thoroughly covered.
Once again, I’m sharing this article because it reflects what I wished I had read before becoming a student at the academy. There aren’t many reviews outside the academy's site, so I hope this piece helps you make a confident decision.
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Also, feel free to explore my other articles on Medium!