[olePigeon]

This is a shameless plug for Digital Media Academy, I just wanted to mention it cuz I got to work there (unofficially) for a few weeks and it was pretty damn cool. I'm not going to post links anywhere, you can Google it yourself. My brother worked there and I ended up helping out a lot. It's kinda like just the workshops at Macworld.

This year they're hoping to go all Macintosh based. Last year they had some serious issues with the HP Windows PCs (actually, it was mostly just 3D Studio Max and their god awful licensing scam), but all of that was solved transparently to the teachers and students mostly by sleepless nights into the late AM. Anyway, that's a different story.

They do courses for adults and kids on all sorts of applications (3D modeling stuff, basic Office stuff, etc.) including LEGO Mindstorms. Hopefully going to offer Apple Certification classes in the near future as well. One of the cooler classes I got to sit through a couple times was the Game Designing class. You learn how to do 3D modeling, design game levels, and even scripting.

They do training courses all over, different colleges and stuff. Again, just Google "Digital Media Academy," you'll find their site. This year they're even doing one on a cruise, which is pretty cool. They're talking about doing other training classes in places like New Zealand (one of the top places I wanna visit.) If you have any kids it's a great way to get rid of them for the summer. They stay on campus, usually sponsored by a fraternity or sorority. Great opportunity for exposure to college life (sans alcohol.)

I just visited the Stanford one, but they're at other places. Anyway, it's worth checking out.

[iranfromthezoo]

is this the same thing as the Travel Channel Academy?

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by iranfromthezoo 

is this the same thing as the Travel Channel Academy?

The course that's being held on the cruise liner is very similar, yes. That one is only for professional photography. I guess you could say it's similar, but DMA offers a ton of different "boot camps" than just the one offered by the Travel Channel. While they also offer videography, they also offer a host of other programs. It's also not limited to professionals. They have professional courses, but also other courses scaled down for adult students, teens, and kids.

As far as I know, the cruise liner is the first really exotic one they've done. I'm good buddies with one of the directors, used to work with him at Sierra College. He said they're working on getting courses up outside of the U.S. and expand to more locations over the world. I know for certain he talked about New Zealand (as I already mentioned) but other locations are lined up for sure.

I wouldn't be surprised if they do more Travel Channel style course as well in the near future.

[olePigeon]

All the courses have been finalized for anyone who's interested. They're held over the summer. It is an official Apple Certified training center, so you could get your Apple certs there, too. Lots of stuff for teens and adults alike.

Pro Series
Educator Series
Teen Camps
Kids Camps

They're now located at the following sites:

Stanford University
University of Texas, Austin
University of California, San Diego
University of California, Berkeley
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Depaul University, Michigan
South Carolina, Hartsville

Also, the Cruise Liner one was also finalized. They offer Digital Photography & Photoshop, and Filmmaking & Final Cut Pro. The courses are being held on a giant cruise ship over the Caribbean.

Heh, be cool if I could go on THAT one. The trainers basically get PAID to go on a cruise.