Lots of questions have been coming in about the online courses that will begin in mid-January, so I want to give you a bunch of answers. I know that many of you have taken online courses – from me or from other instructors – or perhaps at a website like Craftsy. But, for those of you who are new to the game, this can be a bit confusing.
So, what exactly is an online course – and how do they work here at Cedar Canyon? Let’s take a look.
What is an Online Course?
An online course is a way for you to learn without having to travel to the same place as your instructor. All course information is located in a “virtual” classroom, somewhere in the bits and bites of the World Wide Web.
To get to your class, all you need is a computer or tablet – and a connection to the internet. While it’s more fun (usually) to be in the same place as your instructor, online courses give you the freedom to learn new things in the comfort of your own sewing room or studio. Nice!
Access to a printer is helpful, but not mandatory. You will be able to view all of the course materials and downloadable documents right on your computer or tablet – or print the documents if you wish.
How does an Online Course work?
Online courses are usually presented in an “on demand” format. The lessons, videos, and exercises are up in the classroom – ready when you are. Unless there is a specific Live Event on the schedule, you work on your lessons when it is convenient for you.
This No Set Time scheduling makes it possible for people in different time zones, from all over the world to meet in the same classroom and learn together. I think it’s pretty darn cool that we can do this without anyone having to get up at the crack of dawn – or in the middle of the night!
Can I come back to the lessons later?
This is where it gets tricky. Some instructors close classrooms a week or so after the course is done. Some of us don’t – and that includes me!
When you purchase an Online Course at Cedar Canyon Textiles, you have “forever” access to the lessons. You can come back to review the materials at any time if you have a question or you don’t remember how to do something.
Now… that doesn’t mean that I will be monitoring the classroom and answering your questions “forever.” (I do have a life outside of Cedar Canyon!) But rest assured that you can come back to the classroom at any time for a refresher. You paid for it. It’s yours.
Where are the Cedar Canyon online courses located?
Cedar Canyon courses are housed at Ruzuku.com
Our online classroom is over at Ruzuku.com. It’s a website built by teachers specifically for teachers and students – and I love it!
Once you are registered, you can log in to your Ruzuku account and access any of the classes you have taken on that platform – even if they are from more than one instructor.
What does the classroom look like?
It’s easy to keep tabs on what you need to do next
Inside the classroom, the lessons, videos, and downloadable materials are all organized in a neat, tidy outline.
You can mark off each activity as you finish, making it super-easy to keep track of where you are and what you need to do the next time you log in.
Where do the classroom discussions take place?
It’s easy to share your work in the built-in discussion pages
This is my Most Favoritest thing about the Ruzuku learning platform. The Online Forum is built right into the classroom. No Facebook, No Yahoo Group – everything is in One Single Place. Yay!!! (By the way, “most favoritest” is right here in the Shelly Dictionary…)
With just a few clicks of your mouse, you can upload photos of your work, ask a question, and leave comments and encouragements for the other adventurous learners in your group.
Can I take a course any time I want?
Not just yet… Independent Study versions of the courses is high on my list, but we’re not quite there just yet. At the moment, you can register for the Almost Invisible Art Quilt Facings any time you want. The reminder of the courses are as scheduled until we have the Independent Study classrooms set up and functional.
How do I register for the January Courses?
There are two courses coming up in January 2017. The first is the winter session of Silhouette for Fabric Art. The second is the all new Design Magic Course.
The Silhouette for Fabric Art course pages are available now.
- Click here for the SFFA Course Information page
- Click here to go directly to the registration form
The Design Magic course pages are still under construction. (These always take longer than I think they will!) Join the Community today to get all the details as soon as they are ready.
Your Turn
Do you have a question about Online Classes that I didn’t answer? Leave a comment below and I’ll get right back to you.
Can’t wait for the Design Magic course. Love my scanncut, but just bought the silhouette. It’s waiting for me at the post office , as I will be leaving freezing Illinois for home in Florida on Sunday (hopefully -snow and ice coming.)
Question? Am wondering about the learning curve on the silhouette and the computer and doing both classes at the same time. Want to! Barbara
You can do both at the same time if you’re feeling adventurous, Barbara. The Silhouette course will be much more helpful in learning the new machine. The Silhouette-related lessons in the Design Magic course will assume that you have a base level of knowledge.
If you decide to do both, pick and choose your activities so you don’t feel totally overloaded. Okay?
Does one have to have a silhouette cutter to benefit from the design magic course?