Exploring hands-on workshops 1

The first workshop I attended, was somewhat different than the workshops commented on by my fellows in this program. I am not sure whether it qualifies as a hands-on workshop; it was interesting anyway.

The scripting class took place in a shop, selling all kinds of things. A panel on the wall invites you to take the class: you simply click on the panel, the device loads the chapters concerned, previous/next buttons appear on the side and on you go: the lesson on scripting for beginners. No classic setting of a class with teacher and students. Text and graphics on the screen accompany the teachings in form of a conversation sent to you. You can press the next-button alongside the screen, whenever you feel ready for new instructions and a new slide on the screen.

One fellow-student was standing next to me. Obviously (?), she saw something different than I on the screen: a few slides/chapters ahead, I suppose. Looking around a bit, afterwards, I noticed the ad’s on the wall: you can buy next and previous classes on the subject of scripting and building.

Starting the class, the tutor told about previous classes and what will come next. Then inviting you to rez your first prim, followed the explanations on scripting and building. I did not see any way to ask/send questions to the teacher (though the instructions mentioned “you can send questions to ..., after I did all the explanations”). The instruction-text did not contain an explanation on how to navigate through pages or on further considerations you might have, following a web course.
Motivation to learn is something you bring along with you in the course: no difference with RL web courses. The course is built “result oriented” so you can judge easily if your result is the result you should have. Also, focus is on rules and procedures: no place for an argument on procedural matters. Yours is the decision on how fast you learn. You can go back a few lines; no worries about missing something because the class goes on. Revision of key concepts and procedures is as easy as reading the (log of the) conversation again.

This class seems to me a more or less gallant way to organise asynchronous learning.