I love to take online classes. It’s a great opportunity to learn something new and do it when I have time. I also like the fact that I can do it at home rather than having to drive anywhere. It’s a complete win. Mostly.
In August, I had an awesome class on the hero’s journey and tarot. One of the things I loved most about it was the class size was limited. Not only did that encourage me to participate, it meant I wasn’t overwhelmed by emails. I was able to keep up with the lessons, although because of copy edits for In the Darkest Night and then my short story, The Troll Bridge, I wasn’t able to keep up on the homework. It was a totally positive experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Then there’s my September online class. I don’t think there was a size limit for this one, and if there was, it was a big one. The first day of September, as I was at the Evil Day Job, the deluge began. By lunch time there were half a gazillion notes in my inbox. I had to jump over to Yahoo Groups and switch to a different email address to keep my default from being inundated.
I create folders for every class I take and setup mail rules so that it downloads directly into that folder. By the time I got home and was able to get email, it was overwhelming. Because of that blizzard of email on the first day, I have yet to read a lesson. It would take a lot of work to find them in the sheer volume I have waiting for me. I keep thinking I’ll do it when I have time and it keeps getting worse and worse.
This class sounded totally awesome when I read about it, but it’ll be a long time before I know if it is or not, because I shy away from approaching that folder. And if it’s this overwhelming for me, someone who can just ignore the other class members’ notes, I can’t imagine how the guy teaching it is keeping up with it all. It must take every waking minute he has.
The experience has made me appreciate my August class even more. Nice and relaxing and fun. That’s what I like in my online classes. 
Tags: classes
I recently joined a few yahoo groups with the same result. I just can't read that many emails in a day and do anything else.
I'm sorry about your September class but I'm glad you enjoyed the August class.
Patti, I have the same problem with large classes. I get overwhelmed when there are so many students and everyone is posting and chatting.
I'm taking a class right now…limit of 15 students. The weekly lectures are doing live with all of us watching the teacher (Lani Diane Rich) on the video, her powerpoint slides on the screen and a live chat window for questions. Very different. I'm loving it.
I find in a big class, I don't participate.
I'm so glad you enjoyed your August class.
You were a GREAT participant. You might try setting up a filter on the teacher's name so you can isolate that information. I took a class like that and did not participate as much as I might have.
Oh yes, Patti. I've signed up for online classes only to be overwhelmed by the number of emails (the me too! and Thank you! ones urk!!, though at least they're quick to delete.
I have a lot of classes where I have all the relevant emails and I've yet to read them all.
So far, I've been on deadline during the classes, too, so I double lurk.
I do get my email filters set up right away, usually off the welcome email when it comes, that helps keep the main inbox from being inundated.
Still, every now and then I have time to go through a class and weed out the emails that don't help and save off the ones that do.
Shawna,
I'm no mail on most of my loops because I just don't ahve time for them. I used to try to check in once in a while, but I can't even do that anymore.
Patti
Cyndi,
15 students sounds like a pretty good number and isn't overwhelming. That is a really different class setup. I could see where it would be nice to have that visual and the ability to ask questions instantly.
I hope you enjoy the class!
Patti
Arwen,
Your August class was one of my all-time favorites! And thank you, you made it easy to participate.
Good idea on filtering the teacher's email! It'll make it easier, that's for sure.
Patti
Carolyn,
Me, too, on having all the relevant emails from a class, but not reading them yet. I've had a few classes that were overwhelming, just not usually on day one and in hours.
I do the same thing because my main inbox is already a mess. I seriously need to work on my emails.
Um, yeah, me, too. You and I sound like we deal with classes exactly the same way. That's actually kind of a kick because now I know I'm not the only one.
Patti