Hi, Kel here confessing to a guilty pleasure. I've never been one to sneak art supplies or bags of fabric into the house. I'm quite upfront about that and the Mr is a sweetie who likes to help me choose colours anyway. But when it comes to online classes, I don't mean to keep it a secret, but I am a little shy about owning up to how many I take, especially when I've had a little run of them and somehow have ended up committed to two (or three!) at once.
What do I love about online classes? You get access to teachers that you would never get to work with in person. You can work in your pajamas. You can work at your own pace. You can gain a community with shared goals and interests and a wide variety of backgrounds, even countries. Some classes have changed my life, no lie. Others though, I may as well have collaged the money straight into the background of a painting! I hope than I can offer some tips to help you choose the classes that will enhance your life rather than become yet another thing adding stress or guilt to your days.
Next time you see that shiny 'register now' button, go boil the kettle and come back with a cup of your favourite brew, settle down and ask yourself these questions.
Why am I tempted?
Are you reading about it in blogs and tweets? Then consider whether you trust the opinion of the poster, whether you do similar crafts. Is it something that you haven't done for a while? Consider whether you could get the same inspiration from just rediscovering your old supplies. If it is still tempting than carry on to the next question.
Who is teaching?
This will be a big part of your experience. Do you like their work? Now students' work shouldn't end up looking like the teacher's, but if you aren't inspired by the teacher's own style, you are unlikely be inspired in class. Do you like their writing, whether in print, blogging or twitter? Online classes are grounded in text, even if there are videos, they still depend on the teacher's "voice".
How is the content delivered?
I know from experience that I find it hard to sit still and watch videos, so a video a day is not a good fit for me (I can handle a video a week). And I'd rather have written instructions to refer back to later. If you don't get on with Flickr, or Twitter, or Facebook or forums or whatever, be wary of classes that depend on them. There is always a time to explore outside of your comfort zone though.
How do students participate?
Again, you need to feel at home and relaxed (challenged and inspired, but relaxed). I get lost in big forums, so that isn't the best place for me. You may be happy in forums, but less happy in blog rings or chatting on Twitter. You will get a lot more out of a class in which you are comfortable participating fully.
How frequent are the lessons?
How long is the course?
How much time do you have?
These are all part of the same question really. If it is a painting a day and you are just going into a month of night shifts and your in-laws are staying... NOW IS NOT THE TIME. If your 9 to 5 is regular and you haven't signed up for three other classes, this may well be the time. Only you know how flexible your time is, but you will lie to yourself. Believe me. That's why you need to go boil the kettle before you press "register now".
Choose well, and then enjoy! We are truly lucky to live in a time when we can access so much from the comfort of our own home.
Wise words..definately some points to remember :)
Posted by: Gez | March 01, 2011 at 11:04 AM
"you will lie to yourself" lol, oh how we do this. The choice out there is amazing, to be sure. Some very astute observations and advice Kel, thanks.
E
xx
Posted by: Eleanor | March 01, 2011 at 04:53 PM
Very interesting reading... So, so, true. Tfs.
Posted by: Mandy | March 02, 2011 at 12:03 AM
Very good list of questions - especially asking yourself if you could get the same inspiration from your own supplies. After taking a few (um, well more than a few)online scrapbooking classes, I'm finding it harder to come by new concepts and original material. And I have lots of prior class materials that I could mine for things I missed because I didn't have time at the time.
Posted by: S | March 03, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Great post! Would you like to do a follow-up one on How To Actually Complete Online Classes? :)
Posted by: alexa | March 07, 2011 at 10:47 PM