Although, I don't think online teaching is a substitute for an 'in person' workshop, it is a good alternative for some people who either don't live close enough to the venues where I teach or can't get to workshops for various reasons. Also I've got knitters all over the world who knit my patterns and although I'd be more than happy to travel abroad to teach it's not easy to fit in with a family and it's expensive.
With online courses you can go through the course at your own speed when it suits you. The downside is that I can't look at what you're doing and helping with certain problems may be more difficult.
I haven't been seriously investigating online courses before but it's been in the back of my mind for a while. My problem is that I'm slightly technologically challenged. I know enough to do the stuff I do on a day to daily basis but I've noticed I'm getting slower and more reluctant to learn to computer stuff. Don't know if that's my age or what. I've been looking for an online teaching platform that makes it easy for me to create and upload materials and easy for knitters to participate and follow the courses and think I've found the solution. I saw an online course provider on Twitter this week and I clicked on the link. They do a free course in how to teach courses through them so I'm going through that right now.
I've decided that I'll definitely have a go at teaching an online course. I'll probably set up one or two to run in February or March. Trying to decide which course to run is difficult. I offer a variety of courses (you can see the workshops i'm teaching this term here).
One of the courses I was considering was Daisy and this morning on twitter a few people said they'd like to do Continental knitting. So I've got a few questions for you and I'd really appreciate if you'd take the time to answer them. It would help me a lot in developing my online courses. Even if you would never dream of doing an online course, tell me that you wouldn't and why.
1. Would you consider doing an online course?
2. What would be the key considerations in deciding if/which course to take? Price? Topic? or something else?
3. Would you prefer a technique based workshop (continental knitting, Easy Lace, Basic Socks etc) or a project based workshop (Daisy, Grace etc)?
4. How long (weeks) would you like the course to run for (1 week, 2 weeks, longer or shorter)?
5. How many times a week would you have time to log in to look at the course? would you like new lessons to be posted daily? weekly?
6. How much time would you have available a day (or per week) to spend on practising or working through the course material?
Do you have any other comments on online courses? Have you ever taken an online class? Where in the world do you live?
than you very much for answering those questions. It's very helpful.
I'll keep you all up to date with how I get on with my online course development. When I'm ready to take sign ups I'll announce it here on the blog, on Twitter and in my newsletter so please make sure you've subscribed (you can sign up in the side bar to the right).
Today it's all about editing photos and pattern writing. I need to do some serious amount of knitting too. I'm determined to make time for Sunday knitting tomorrow as I need to finish a birthday present for a friend as I'm seeing her on Monday and her birthday was last week. but I've also got deadlines looming and I'm a bit behind. Hardly done any knitting at all for the last couple of days and not picked up the needles at all yet today which is unheard of (unless I'm ill and in bed). It's 2pm and I've not knitted yet today. I'd better do something about that. Time to switch off the lap top & do some knitting.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend x
8 comments:
Hi Anni
I hope you don't mind me answering your questions about online courses?
Anyway, here goes...
1. Would you consider doing an online course?
Yes, I have undertaken online courses in the past, although not in knitting techniques.
2. What would be the key considerations in deciding if/which course to take? Price? Topic? or something else?
Price is always a consideration, and online courses tend to be more expensive than courses taken at colleges, because individual designers usually can't draw on external funding to offset costs, but there are advantages - the kudos of being taught by a well-known designer, the course being more individually tailored to the student's needs, the ability to study where and when it is convenient, etc.
3. Would you prefer a technique based workshop (continental knitting, Easy Lace, Basic Socks etc) or a project based workshop (Daisy, Grace etc)?
For me, it would have to be techniques, so that I can use that technique again.
4. How long (weeks) would you like the course to run for (1 week, 2 weeks, longer or shorter)?
I think one of the benefits of an online course it that it can fit into the student's schedule. So, I would prefer a course where I can work through tasks when it is convenient to me and the end-date is a bit more flexible. Of course, others may prefer a more structured approach. If you are encouraging students to interact, then it is easier for them to have the same start date. But a course where students can enrol at any time is useful for some people, but a bit more tricky for you to maintain.
5. How many times a week would you have time to log in to look at the course? would you like new lessons to be posted daily? weekly?
I'd probably be online most of the time (I am anyway! lol) At first, short tasks and frequent achievements, then longer deadlines as I get into my own pattern of working. Probably I'd prefer a new task as soon as I have submitted the last one. This would keep me motivated to finish, and would mean I couldn't get behind with tasks mounting up.
6. How much time would you have available a day (or per week) to spend on practising or working through the course material?
How long is a piece of string (or in this case, a hank of yarn!) Some days/weeks more than others. Sorry I can't be more specific.
I hope this is helpful,
Anni X
Hi Anni
I have to say I probably wouldn't do an online course - it'd be one of those things that I paid for and then never "quite" got around to doing. Where if I book a workshop then that's done, I travel to a venue, do the course, and learn something. it must be said though that this down, in no small part, to my intrinsically lazy and procrastinating nature!
having said that I really want to learn continental knitting so...... never say never!
price and content would be my deciding factors I suppose.
1. Would you consider doing an online course?
Yes, although would need to see how it would work. Having said that, I would be more than willing to give it a go .... and then would probably find myself coming down to Spin a Yarn to do an actual course!
2. What would be the key considerations in deciding if/which course to take? Price? Topic? or something else?
Topic would be the main consideration and then price.
3. Would you prefer a technique based workshop (continental knitting, Easy Lace, Basic Socks etc) or a project based workshop (Daisy, Grace etc)?
Think I would prefer a technique - like continental knitting or toe up socks - both courses are on whilst I am in Greece! Not that I am complaining of course! Also have to confess that I came to Daisy in December and am booked in for Grace in July!
4. How long (weeks) would you like the course to run for (1 week, 2 weeks, longer or shorter)?
Do not know as new to online stuff.
5. How many times a week would you have time to log in to look at the course? would you like new lessons to be posted daily? weekly?
If it was something I wanted to do, I could probably log in daily, but certainly weekly.
6. How much time would you have available a day (or per week) to spend on practising or working through the course material?
As a previous commenter said, how long is a piece of string - if engrossed, could spend hours on it, to the detriment of almost everything else.
1. I have taken several online knitting and sewing courses.
2. The primary consideration is topic. Secondary considerations are production quality and price. Poor lighting, poor camera work and lack of editing drive me crazy. Price should be in line with other online courses. ($15 to $30 USD)
3. For me, it has to be a technique-based workshop. A project-only workshop is too much like a free KAL on Ravelry.
4. Course length doesn't matter that much to me. What's more important is the content (quality and depth).
5. I am online every day. New lessons posted weekly sounds good.
6. My schedule is my own so I can devote as much time as holds my interest. If I were working full-time, I would probably be able to devote two or three hours a week.
I have really liked the Craftsy courses I have taken.
I live on the Peninsula in the Bay Area of Northern California--south of San Francisco and north of Stanford University.
I hope my comments are helpful. Best of luck in developing your online courses. I look forward to learning more about them on your blog.
Tamara
Answers in relation to your questions :
1) I have never done a proper online course before but I always go online (you tube) to learn a new technique
2)Price & content
3)Technique based
4) 1-2 weeks
5) Daily
6) 1 hour per day
The only disadvantage for online course is the interaction between the teacher & the student. I have taught knitting before & I find that it's important to see what the students are doing & the results of their projects.
I am in Perth, Western Australia & I hope the above info will be helpful. Good luck.
Ann
continental knitting = YES! please
gloves = techniques/= YES! please!
I'd sign for online classes for something that particularly interests me!
Sue UK
Hey thats cool online courses for any particular field are really very useful and popular now days. You are getting a good start.
Pterostilbene
You have created a blog that is very attractive to our knowledge has proved very useful information for me.
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