Audio Classes

[Ivy Artemisia]

Hello- this is a random question, that I'd like to put out for discussion. With the new COT, we have the opportunity to upload files as lessons, etc. Can you help me out with coming up with pros and cons to an audio lesson?

One of my audio lesson would consist of an MP3 lecture, and instruction if there is to be hands on stuff, handouts, and homework. The reason its on my mind is that I teach IRL Wicca 101 classes each week, and while I'd like to help and teach one here, I don't have enough time to write all the lessons out (though I have handouts all ready to go). I have a digital audio recorder (yay ghosthunting), and it would be perfect for recording a lecture.

But I really wanted to get a feel of how everyone might feel about it.

Pros:
A student could put the lecture on their ipod, and listen to it when they get a chance
Guided meditations would be easier if the student could listen to it
More flexibility in regards to learning- can fit it in while driving, etc.

Cons:
The MP3 files could get swiped and posted on random websites
Students without computer speakers or ipods would obviously be at a disadvantage


Issues for a class I might teach...
Personal Con- I hate the way my voice sounds, and I feel like a freaking idiot when being recorded.
Personal Con-The entire lesson (including the hands-on portion) would take about an hour- an hour and a half. That doesn't include homework- so it would really be for a dedicated student. But that could also be a Pro, too.

[Caelestis ♥ Raven]

I think this would be a very cool idea. Definitly something I would sign up for. Guided meditations would be really nice to have and you can just go into stuff differently then just reading I think.

I don't think it would be for everyone but I think many others would find it very neat.

lol I do feel ya though I feel awkward being recorded too lol

[Wolfscout1]

hrm.. could it be as a option to written (text) lessons or as a added information to have an audio file lesson?

[Ivy Artemisia]

hrm.. could it be as a option to written (text) lessons or as a added information to have an audio file lesson?

That would be a good idea, especially in a class focusing on meditation. But how would you feel about strictly audio, with follow-allong handouts, and activities?

[Wolfscout1]

That would be a good idea, especially in a class focusing on meditation. But how would you feel about strictly audio, with follow-allong handouts, and activities?

The problem I see with it is.. the programs being versatile enough to work on all the various systems that the users who signed in there to use COT would have.
1. Personally I'm on an older pc and many times.. MP3 type music won't play at all depending.... that's just one possible problem.
2. add in the dial-up that I'm on and you compound a problem... Not everyone is still using dial-up but, as here.., that is all that is available in some areas...

reckon I'm looking at it from a personal view and one who wishes to delve into unknown or little covered material once again....

[SwordsFlameSong]

Tough one. I would think that having both would work. But then, we also know that not everyone is honorable and I always worry about the teacher's hard work getting stolen.

Would it work better to have a chat type class. Where you hold a session once a week with accompanying hand-outs. Or would there still be an issue with dial up students?

There is another option - an experiment so to speak. Select three or four people as willing guinea pigs and test it. Then you know what works, what doesn't. You can move forward with planning yet, hopefully, keep from overwhelming yourself.

[Ivy Artemisia]

Thanks for the feedback!

I like the chat option, but it would still take a lot of time to type up 2 hours worth of each class. I taught a magickal herbalism class via chat before, and it went well, but only because I had it typed up beforehand. :) I think I just like to teach too much. I'm a big fan of sharing the knowledge! I get ahead of myself...lol

I think I'll probably hold off on it for a bit until I can write it all up. But 10 2 hour classes will take awhile to write up. :)

[Ivy Artemisia]

Actually, I think that I'm going to include an audio portion of my current class, when we go over grounding and centering. :) We'll see what kinda feed back I get.

[SwordsFlameSong]

That will work also. Another thought I had, if there is a person in your Grove/Coven that you work well with and trust - well there is nothing that says you can't bring an assistant in. This would provide you with much more flexibility.

Now, in the case of the person teaching having to be a member of MW, they would need to sign up. However, the rest I would ease up on - due to the fact that the 'head' teacher has already met the minimum, I have gotten to 'know' them etc. The assistant would be under their guidance. And, quite frankly, I trust our teacher's assessment of who they would bring in to help.

So, that might be of aid to you.

[HareMoon]

Actually, I think that I'm going to include an audio portion of my current class, when we go over grounding and centering. :) We'll see what kinda feed back I get.

Currently taking the class, and would love to be a guinea pig for the audio file for that portion of the class.

Maybe, you wouldn't have to post the entire MP3 file for the entire class. Couldn't you just put up the MP3 pertaining to that weeks assignment? yeah, it may be only 5 sec. but that might help out the people on dial up, and you wouldnt have to be a super self-motivator to get through the class either, or listen to the whole thing 200 times to try to figure out what part you were on like I would.

Hope that made sense. It's late, and I've had a busy day!

[Willow Rosette]

I love the idea of a audio guided meditation. I hope it works!

[FreeSpiritDiane]

Hello!

I just saw the thread of asking about mp3 files given of the courses. (I hope this is okay to post this here, since I didn't know who to contact directly.) Have you thought of also providing transcripts to go along with the mp3s, so that students can follow along without having to take notes?

I am also a transcriptionist, and have transcribed all kinds of subjects under the sun. Which is why I mention this! Please feel free to contact me with a PM if you'd like to ask me about transcription services. Again, I hope it's okay to post this here. I tried to go to the other site but still didn't see a contact person.

[Ivy Artemisia]

Currently taking the class, and would love to be a guinea pig for the audio file for that portion of the class.

Maybe, you wouldn't have to post the entire MP3 file for the entire class. Couldn't you just put up the MP3 pertaining to that weeks assignment? yeah, it may be only 5 sec. but that might help out the people on dial up, and you wouldnt have to be a super self-motivator to get through the class either, or listen to the whole thing 200 times to try to figure out what part you were on like I would.

Hope that made sense. It's late, and I've had a busy day!

You totally made sense. I would break up the files into weekly lessons, certainly, and what I'd probably do is have a text file to go along with it (besides handouts), and it would be kind of like a program...

0:01- The history and background of Wicca
5:52- Whats a tradition? Why does it matter?
7:43- The difference between Wicca and other magickal traditions

Depending on how long each segment is for. I might try it with my first Wicca 101 class and see how it comes out. If I do, and need guinea pigs, I'll update this post to get some feedback from you all.

Have you thought of also providing transcripts to go along with the mp3s, so that students can follow along without having to take notes?

Sort of, but that usually costs $. I could probably do it myself, really if I borrowed a dictaphone thingy but that would take time that I simply don't have right now. Its a really good idea, though. There would be extensive handouts to follow along with- so I don't feel that it would be vital- but you have a really good idea.

[FreeSpiritDiane]

"I could probably do it myself, really if I borrowed a dictaphone thingy but that would take time that I simply don't have right now."

Just so you know, you don't have to borrow a dictaphone. As long as you have a mp3 or wav file to work with, just download ExpressScribe which is free. Ideally, you'd work with a foot pedal but it also has hand controls.

Take care!