Classes and Teachers Written by Steph Schirmer

This months question was about experiences with teachers and classes, if they had favorites, what they expected and if they enjoyed them. There is a wide range of teachers out there who present a variety of projects for everyone to learn. I broke these up into three sections, actual classes, television and cyber classes.

Actual Classes:

By far, the best way to learn something is hands on, with the teacher actually standing there in front of you showing you how it is done. Classes are offered not only at stamp stores but conventions offer a full line too. Most booths do a demo (called a Make and Take) and the convention goers are invited to take part in them. Several people mentioned some of the teachers they had taken classes from were Fred Mullet, Carolyn Hurst, Lisa Pavelka, Sherrill Kahn, Nancy Curry, Kathy Martin and all had nice things to say about them. Here were some common things that people expected when they take a class.

1. Organization
2. Sharing Knowledge
3. Good Personality
4. Unique projects as well as a variety
5. Offers Assistance
6. Introduces new papers, stamps and ideas
7. Offers substitutions
8. Technical know how
9. Cost (do you get your money’s worth)

If a teacher possesses these qualities they will present a good and enjoyable class. The main goal of taking a class is actually learning the technique, learning from the teacher and learning from those around you. A class is a great source of information.

Television:

For a lot of artist out there, the television provides another avenue of learning. The DIY Network and Carol Duvall, have been a big influence by bring the industry biggies onto crafting shows. This form allows you to tape a particular segment, so you can refer back to it over and over again till you learn the technique. For several viewers, this is the only way they learn about new products, classes and teachers. Armed with this knowledge, they go on the internet, check local stamp stores and craft stores looking for these items. There are obvious drawbacks to television, you are getting a condensed version of the project and you don’t get the hands on from the teacher. For most viewers, this gives them the basic information they need to play with the project and make the project their own. DVD’s are playing a bigger role now days, your favorite teachers can show you projects in a complete form by going step by step. These are particularly helpful for people who have no access to craft stores, stamp stores or conventions and can only rely on the internet to purchase things, but DVD’s are helpful to everyone.

Cyber Classes:

Cyber classes seem to be gaining popularity, this type of class offers individuals who have internet access the ability to take classes. Here are a few things about these type classes both pro’s and con’s

1 Teachers are patient
2 Copy of classes are in the archives
3 Individuals send out links periodically so new people can take a look
4 You can come and go as you please
5 Teachers type in caps or use a different color
6 Sometimes can be slow
7 Vendors host classes and give out prizes

Having never taken any of these classes, I can’t give you an opinion on them. I do think that the same thing that people look for in actual classes, they would look for in cyber classes. They have to be successful or people wouldn’t continue to take them. Many of us who are on stamping lists have seen cyber conventions advertised on our lists. You might want to check them out and see if they interest you.

I want to thank everyone for their help with the column this month, I can’t do it without your support.

Stampersmall Design Team members: Susan, Daylene, Viki, Heather, Bernadine and Lis

If you have any ideas please contact me and I will be glad to start a few questions about it.

Steph Schirmer
sschirmer@stampersmall.com
 

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