Being a student in an online art class recently, got me thinking about what can be done to have the best experience from an online art class.
On the positive side, I experienced:
- drawing breakthroughs
- using watercolors and pens in new ways
- making with new drawing skills in my own way/voice
- moving beyond fears that stop me
But also I experienced:
- getting behind
- wanting more help
- feeling lost in a big group
- thinking my work was not good enough
Hey wait – this was suppose to be a fun art making experience!
I was able to noticed the things that were not working for me in the course and move beyond them and to embrace the lessons and information that did work for me.
I think this was a key decision. I could have quit or given up, because I was frustrated and had unmet expectations.
Then I realized that some of my own students probably experienced some of these same frustrations in my online printmaking courses. So I want to share some tips on getting the most from an online art course:
Tips on taking online ART course
- Read the class information and supplies page to determine if the class is right for you.
- Look at the supplies list and get what you might need.
- Decide what your intention might be, fun, skill building, work, play, discovery….?
- Get excited, set up a workspace.
- When class begins, introduce yourself and “join” the others in the class.
- Ask questions. If you have a question, then most likely someone else has the same question
- Even if you have questions about the teaching platform, structure – ask questions.
- If you “get behind,” reassess, and do what you can. Remember your excitement and reasons for signing up for the course. Contribute to the classroom community, if you can at this point. Look for something positive that you may have learned. It may not even have much to do with the course content.
- Get to know your learning style. Are you…
- Visual – learn with pictures, images and space
- Auditory – like to learn through sound and listening
- Verbal – learn with words, speech and writing
- Physical – learn with hands, body and touch
- Try to figure out the instructor’s teaching style and whether it matches your learning style. Do you want…
- a coach – to guide you to develop and apply skills and knowledge
- a professor – to lecture as an expert authority
- a delegator – empower you to discover on your own and collaboratively
- What if you think your work is not good enough? – Remember you are the student, you came to learn and you do not have to be “good.” You learn by making and experimenting. So as long as you are making work, it is good enough. If you can share and ask for help with work that is in progress, then you will grow tremendously.
- What if you are not sure about your computer skills or the social media part of the course? Ask for help.
I hope this helps get you ready to take an online art class. The wonderful part of online art courses is that you can have a world wide community right from your home. You don’t have to pack up supplies and travel to a workshop, you can set up your workspace and play at anytime of the day!
If you would like to explore a printmaking process with me, then check out the current workshop schedule.