Is this the future of cyber classrooms?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324669104578207533286902440.html?KEYWORDS=craftsy#articleTabs%3Darticle
Not every teacher is enamored with how Craftsy works.
http://shiborigirl.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/the-heron-and-the-hummingbird/
What do you think? Should needlepoint stay under the radar or try more slick presentations? Would you take such a class? Would you teach one?
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
7 comments:
I would take one!
Unless I missed something, most of the embroidery classes involved machines. There was nothing in their offerings that spoke to my embroidery interests. I browsed this site a year or two ago and didn't see anything that appealed to me then either. Now I might feel a little differently, as I'm getting back into sewing a little and would appreciate a little more knowledge in the area of pattern making. I may check out some of their sewing classes.
The teacher's take of the fee does give me pause though, 10-15%. Granted the company makes a huge investment in creating the videos; but the teachers invest a significant amount of time in the filming, not to mention the years spent perfecting their skill and developing their classes, which don't seem compensated by $4-$6 a student. I do like the idea of online classes. I'm just not sure I'm on board with this particular machine.
I agree, SL. Unless there were NP related classes, I wouldn't be interested. And if I were a NP teacher, I certainly would not be happy with such a tiny per person fee. You would have to have HUGE classes to justify the time involved. Of course maybe that's what Craftsy does--big classes. Not my cup of tea but perhaps they would be open to changing their style. Maybe not. It's worth pondering.
I agree. 10-15% to the teacher? Really? Harumpf!
I also wouldn't care to link my art to a site called "Craftsy"!! We have been trying for at least 50 years to get people to realize that needlepoint is an art form!
Needlepoint may not require as much video instruction as some other subjects, but some teachers are beginning to use it successfully. The online classes we have so far are doing quite well and will continue to improve I'm sure.
I wouldn't take one.
I hadn't thought of another problem--these classes are done without the aid and assistance of a shop. This removes a very significant aid to their success, doesn't it? Maybe the folks taking these classes are in big cities where they have easy access to supplies or maybe students buy kits as part of the class. Dunno.
I have neither the time nor the resources to take an in-person class, and I don't enjoy travel. This limits me to local shop classes (based mostly around 'clubs' or series, which don't interest me) or online instruction. I've successfully used YouTube tutorials on more than a few occasions, both learning new things, brushing up on the forgotten, or finding a new or better way of doing something.
I agree that the instructor's per-student fees are much smaller than would be customary, but if the instructor is willing, in the interest of sharing his/her love of needlepoint, I would certainly support such classes. As an aside, while I think 'Craftsy' isn't the classiest name for such a venture, it does bring to mind 'Etsy' which brings to mind 'things made by hand'. 'Artsy' might be more accurate, but would lead to a lot of jokes, and we don't want that.
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