I’m doing more research about teaching online workshops, and have some questions for you, for those interested in online workshops (from me!). Your answers and comments will help me to clarify which way to go with how I set up my workshops. So thank in advance for the input.
- Is it necessary to have everything all on one site, such as the lessons, videos, discussions, and place to post your images? Or would it be okay to post your photos on flickr to share with the other students, and have the “discussions” through a yahoo group, or even on flickr?
- For those of you who have taken online workshops hosted on Ning, did you like how Ning functioned, or did you find it confusing? (When commenting on this, please don’t say anything about a teacher’s specific workshop because I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes. I’m looking more for how the structure of Ning worked for you, or if it was too hard to navigate.)
- Does it matter to you if you can interact with other online students through discussions and sharing photos or scans of your work?
- Do you prefer to have an ongoing sign-up, where you can start whenever you want? Or do you like the workshop to be set up so that everyone is on the same lesson at the same time?
- Do you like for the workshop information to stay online for an extended period of time for you after the workshop is over?
- Is it a problem (with slow internet access, or dial-up) for you to watch the videos online?
- Is it important to have videos, or are you fine with just having still photos and explanations that you can print out or view online, or do you prefer everything?
- Any other input on what you like and what works for you with online workshops?
And as a little thank you, here’s a journal page I did last night for your viewing pleasure. I have no idea where I got the page from the book titled “The Economic Background of the Sex Life of the Unmarried Adult.” It was in my stash, and I had to use it–it was too brilliant to pass up. So I glued it under the photo of my eyes.
I’ve been having discussions with my gal pal, Juliana Coles, about the excuses we give ourselves for not working in our journals, or for not making art. And just yesterday we talked about our studios being too cold was an excuse–we needed to just work in our house with what ever we had there, or bring a small amount of supplies in to use. No excuses. So I worked in my journal with just what I already had in my house (although I did have to get my journal out of my studio!)–I wouldn’t even let myself go out to my studio for paints or stamps. And as you can see, I was hardly deprived. We easily get hung up on supplies when that’s an excuse too.
The card in the bottom left is by a student, Karla Frahler, who took one of my workshops last fall. I thought it was great, so included it too. (Thanks Karla for the great card!)
Hi Tracie – I've taken five or six online classes in the last year. I like a class where the instructor has a separate blog (or website) that has the links to class handouts and videos. I prefer a class where the students can post pictures on flickr – I like to browse though them for inspiration – and discussions are through a yahoo group. Ning is ok. One advantage is that you or a student can easily start a discussion about a specific topic. What I don't like about Ning is that it's hard to share photos with people outside of Ning and I haven't been able to figure out how to get forum postings emailed to me. Ning will inform me by email when someone posts in a forum that I've left a comment in, but not what the person said! With yahoo, I get a daily digest of all messages posted in the last day. I have mixed feelings about sign-ups. I think I've enjoyed classes more where everyone was working in the same lesson at the same time, but life happens. I'm taking a class right now becuase there was an extended sign-up. The one thing that makes a big difference to me in a class is instructor involvement. There are teachers who simply put up the videos and pdfs, and that's it. And that's the only class I'll take from them. Then there are instructors who are leaving comments on flickr about there student's work (and that makes a student's day!) and are active in the discussion groups. Those are the instructors where I've signed up for their next class. I do like videos, especially where the video is a close-up of the page being worked on, so I can see what the instructor is actually doing! I also like hand-outs. I scribble notes on them while I watch the videos.
Ruth, Thanks for taking the time to give me your input. It's really helpful. I like the idea of using a yahoo group for discussions and flickr for posting student work, but wasn't sure if it would be a turn off for people with things being in different places. It sounds like for you, you like that set up, which is great. I think those are easy for everyone to navigate, even if you aren't very technically inclined. And of course, teacher involvement/input from me would happen!
So far I’ve only taken 3 online classes from 2 teachers. Both were on Ning. Which I liked. First teacher: The classes started at a certain time, but were left up for us to see whenever. She was active on there, commented, answered questions during the “live” time so to speak. I liked the videos-because I tend to be visual with learning. There were no problems with the video for me-we have dsl here, so they loaded well. I do like video to watch~it helps. With her classes, I just jotted notes for myself as it was not a class with worksheets or “instructions”-we were learning her process.
Second teacher: Again with Ning. It was all written w/photo samples. What she taught could not have been done on a video-so it’s going to take longer to learn. It was a more technical class.
We were able to download all info-and can print it out-so I’ll have that for reference which is really important to me in this type of class.
All in all, I think I like the video-it’s like being w/the teacher when you can’t be in a real classroom. Sharing photos w/others from the class is nice too-I don’t mind that it’s not “out there” for everyone to see since it is a class that you are paying to take.
don’t know if this helped any-just my comments.
Is it necessary to have everything all on one site, such as the lessons, videos, discussions, and place to post your images? Or would it be okay to post your photos on flickr to share with the other students, and have the "discussions" through a yahoo group, or even on flickr?
for me, the easier the better. so, for the people who have experience with posting photos, etc, and can comment on the easiest and most effective way to do it, then that's what will encourage me to particupate to the fullest
For those of you who have taken online workshops hosted on Ning, did you like how Ning functioned, or did you find it confusing? (When commenting on this, please don't say anything about a teacher's specific workshop because I don't want to step on anyone's toes. I'm looking more for how the structure of Ning worked for you, or if it was too hard to navigate.)
no experience on Ning
Does it matter to you if you can interact with other online students through discussions and sharing photos or scans of your work?
Not sure…I would want interaction with the instructor for sure.
Do you prefer to have an ongoing sign-up, where you can start whenever you want? Or do you like the workshop to be set up so that everyone is on the same lesson at the same time?
that's a tough one. As long as I don't miss the start up, then it doesn;t matter….but would probably need the flexibility in case I miss a class.
Do you like for the workshop information to stay online for an extended period of time for you after the workshop is over?
I can't say for sure, probably….I'm a terrible, terrible procrastinator….so I might want it posted later on. I've never taken an online wkshop.
Is it a problem (with slow internet access, or dial-up) for you to watch the videos online?
no
Is it important to have videos, or are you fine with just having still photos and explanations that you can print out or view online, or do you prefer everything?
everything, baby! I love, love videos. I'm such a sucker for visual/audio stimulation. I love watching artists work.
Any other input on what you like and what works for you with online workshops?
again, have no point of reference, but would love a wkshp w/decent quality video, close-ups, clear audio. The video that you did of the journal page a while back was good. If you used that model for future videos, I think you are on the right track! I like fun, informative, stimulating video. Things that poke me to get off of my ass.
p.s. I'm suffering from the same syndrome that you and Juliana are….can't get into the 'studio'….I wish there was a way to push each other to get going!
Thanks Traci! Your page is great, and I am very honored to be included in your journal. I have been doing lots of "Traci inspired" journaling since your workshop, and I must say, I've been having so much fun with it. Bless your pea-pickin' little heart.
I've taken one online class before on nig and belong to groups on there and I really like it- and I believe it's free to start one up too. I like looking at fellow students' artwork so I can see how everyone else interpreted the prompt/lesson. I prefer to keep everything on one site because it's easier to keep track of things. The class I took only had photos but the prompts were very straight forward (paste this here, here's your journal prompt) but if it was something more involved, like a multi-step technique then a video would be ideal. An open signup format is what I prefer because I have a busy schedule and signning up on my terms allows me to take the classes I want. I also prefer classes that keep the material up afterwards or else offer a downloadable format to keep for myself.
hi traci – i have a bunch of thoughts, but these two first – I like to have "join anytime" classes because I don't always have the $ to take classes when they happen if they're not set up like that.
also, I like to have the material available online after the class is done – although if it's a join anytime class, I guess it's never done – but I also like to get downloadable PDFS I can keep on my own computer or print out.
Hi Traci!
I've only taken one online class and this are my thoughts: I think video and some pdf's are a must. I appreciate if you can download and keep them, that is value and generosity to me, otherwise I would have felt stress to keep up. I liked .ning and I think you should try to set up your class there, it's easy to sign up and use and if you're a blogger which many taking online classes probably are, it's easy to figure it out though I didn't interact as much with other students or post all my work there. I think it's important that the teacher is timely, accessible and generous with feedback good and bad.
Good luck!
Hey Traci… all of this IMHO…
* — flickr groups are good because everyone is responsible for their own bandwidth, but they are very limited when it comes to discussions
* –I think Nings are GREAT. They offer lots of options for the creator of the group but also for the user. They offer lots of visual art ops, AND… they are becoming more and more familiar to people so they don't have to learn yet another thing that is new.
* — interacting… depends on the individual class, but mostly i would say yes
* — absolutely an anytime sign up. i am hard pressed to turn in assignments on a regular basis and love it when i can work at my own pace in my own time frame
* –i like when the creator of the class offers an online group for participants both current and past. makes me feel like i'm part of something instead of a passer-by
* –video online is critical. the use of Vimeo seems to be a successful venue
* — if I had my druthers, i would have both video and printed handout …. but if i had to pick i would pick video
* –other input would be to please make it affordable!
–hope it all works out for you!
Traci
I like the online classes for I can do them at my own speed. With working all day, I find that my time is limited to taking classes in a physical location. I have worked with Yahoo groups, flickr and know nothing about Ning. I've been on Ravelry for a couple of years and just finished a KAL. The interaction with the others and the moderators was great. I really enjoyed and learned so much that helped me when I was stuck. This happens to me with my journaling also. If there were videos, examples and the ability to see others' work would add so much to the online experience.
Hi Traci, LOVE your work.
I have taken 4 online classes. I think the more videos you can use the better. LOVE videos.
The more passwords and different platforms that one needs to go to for one class the less I am going to sign up. The more places I have to look for feed back and conversations the more confused I get. SO if you have to go to different pages on Ning and then go to Flicker I get lost.
Maybe others don't have this problem.I feel confused and get mixed up where to find comments for each thing.
I wish it could all be in one place. I could just have videos, pictures and comments all posted all on one place.
The more places, passwords and different ways one has to navigate the different platforms the less I am inclined to sign up.
There is so much free stuff on the Youtube and other art websites that I would need to have a very simple platform to be an incentive to pay for a workshop.
Thanks for letting me comment. Hope that makes sense.
Warmly,
Cami
I don't know if I can say anything helpful because this will be the first online class I've ever taken. But I have found NING confusing so far. But I am finding learning any new sites difficult these days.(aging? meds? who knows). It would help if there were a beginning tutorial on how the class is to use the site(s) whatever is decided. I mean, the very most basic:'go here,click on this in the upper right corner of the page….', like that.
Everyone has given such great input! I really appreciate it. And to themixiepixie: I think your confusion with ning is probably the same as others. So I think it's an excellent idea of having instructions of exactly how to do what. I will definitely do that!
I'm progressing along with work on my first online workshop, so stay tuned for info on when you can start signing up!