High-tech college Flashpoint Academy draws raves, critics

Maine South graduate Lisa Shanahan loves music, but not math or science or most other subjects found on a school report card.

For years, Shanahan struggled to find her niche in the sometimes narrow confines of school.

Now she, and scores of other suburban students like her, have enrolled at fledgling Flashpoint Academy, which caters to students whose skills and passions don't quite dovetail with those rewarded in traditional schools.

The two-year digital media college, which draws more than half of its 280 students from the Chicago suburbs, offers programs in recording arts, visual effects and animation, computer game development, film and broadcast media.

In short, "it's one of those things, it's so cool, it's intimidating," Shanahan said.

Since opening its doors last September, Chicago-based Flashpoint has generated tremendous buzz. Celebrity guests such as Chevy Chase have popped by; Mayor Daley offered a very public seal of approval; and famed Chicago entrepreneur and Flashpoint President Howard Tullman has aggressively promoted the school.

Tullman, who recently orchestrated Kendall College's celebrated turnaround, bills Flashpoint as a revolutionary response to an out-of-date higher education system.

"Colleges today train college professors, not employable people," Tullman asserts.

Tullman echoes sentiments expressed by educational critics such as Ken Robinson, noted author and expert in the field of creativity and innovation. In public speeches Robinson says that an alien visiting earth would "have to conclude that the whole purpose of public education throughout the years is to produce university professors."

Robinson criticizes public schools for killing creativity, and he agitates for a broader definition of intelligence that encompasses more than just math and language skills.

Flashpoint students embody that broader definition of intelligence, Tullman says. "They might not be book learners but they are ... kinetic learners or hand-to-mind learners. We definitely think this is a new model of experiential learning."

Flashpoint, Tullman says, caters to a different type of learner by creating a different type of curriculum.

Students receive 40 hours a week of real-world training on state-of-the-art technology.

"You're constantly there, constantly working on projects and internships and collaborating," said Daniel Meincke, a Des Plaines native who recently completed the first year of Flashpoint's film program. "They were sending us out to make our first film in early November. ... They get right to it."

Tullman describes Flashpoint as a high-end trade school for the digital age. And high-end it is. A year of tuition runs $25,000. Because the school isn't accredited, Flashpoint students have reduced access to financial aid. "The truth is you can't get a job in any of these fields with a liberal arts education," Tullman said. "Maybe if you learn to be a typist while typing term papers you can become a secretary."

In typically bombastic fashion, Tullman articulates a long-running debate that has intensified as increasingly complex technology requires more and more workers with specialized skills.

"This is an internal debate, the traditional degree versus the vocationally oriented schools, and it doesn't just exist in the gaming industry. It exists across many sectors," said Jason Della Rocca, executive director of the International Game Developers Association.

Della Rocca said there's no single formula for landing a gaming job.

"The gaming industry requires many different people at many different levels with many different skills," Della Rocca said. "On the one hand, the industry is starving for talent. On the other hand, no piece of paper is going to guarantee that talent, no matter what school you go to."

When asked about the Flashpoint model, officials from other local media programs emphasized the importance of a four-year degree.

"Employers tell us they want to hire individuals who not only have particular job skills but who can also think creatively, communicate effectively in speaking and writing, understand cultural differences, and bring a broad perspective to local and global challenges," Columbia College Vice President of Academic Affairs Louise Love wrote in an e-mail.

Scott Roberts, associate professor at DePaul University's college of computing and digital media, added, "We talk to a lot of people in the industry, and they seem happy with a more well-rounded education, not just having one or two skills and being so focused. Game development, for example, is extremely multidisciplinary."

Shanahan, the Maine South grad who plans to focus on sound production, isn't worrying too much about these academic debates.

"I met with one of the founders, and he had this huge stack of business cards, with all of these big names who would offer us jobs," Shanahan said. "It's a little nerve-racking. I'm going to be done with school before any of my friends, doing a real job. But that's what I want. I don't want to be in school the next 10 years. I want to start living my life. I'm so excited."

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Related links</h2> <ul class="moreWeb"> <li><a href="http://www.flashpointacademy.com/">Flashpoint home page </a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>