I recently heard a quote that really hit home for me. While I can’t
remember the exact words or who to attribute the quote to, it has stayed with
me. The best teachers are themselves
perpetual students.
As teachers, we are always looking for new content and new ways of
getting material across to our students. One of the best ways that I have found
to energize my writing, my art, and my teaching is to go back to being a
student myself.
In my own experience, there is really no substitute to participating in
a “live “class with an instructor and other students. But work, family life,
and volunteer obligations often make it difficult to travel outside the home
each week for new learning experiences. The next best thing is to take
advantage of the endless possibilities of online learning for credit or just
for fun. From classes on writing and illustrating, new art techniques, teaching
strategies for the classroom to just about anything else can be found on-line.
Learning on your own time in the comfort of your home can be a real plus. With
so much out there, how do you choose? Here are a few things that I’ve found
helpful to look for when considering an online class:
1. Overall experience of the teacher or presenter-are you familiar with
their body of work?
2. Access to class content-is the class only accessible for a few weeks
or do you have unlimited time to complete the class?
3. Is the class all written material and photos or are videos of the
instructor incorporated? Is a PDF of class content available as part of the
class?
4. Is there a forum for sharing class work with other students and does
the teacher actively participate in the forum?
5. Is the instructor available for questions and interaction?
6. Is there a sample video of the class that can be viewed before
purchasing?
7. Is the cost reasonable for what you are being offered?
8. Are there former participating students that you can contact about
their experiences with the class?
Like any classroom learning experience, some classes and teachers are
better than others. It helps to know as much as you can about the class and
instructor before jumping in.
As a teacher, are you ready to take your class online? There are even
online classes about teaching on-line.
Happy learning everyone!
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