Due to some recent discussions here, I think an excellent addition to this site would be the "DPC School of Photography". This would be an educational photography series that would be led by a group of volunteer instructors and it would not involve challenges. A group of coordinators would be formed to discuss a curriculum for the project. Once the curriculum is formed, a separate set of discussion groups would be created for each 'class' in the project, much like the DPL is setup now. Those groups would be private and only accessible by 'students' who have joined the program. There would also be private photo galleries created that are accessible by the instructors and students in each class.
I believe this would be insanely successful and probably should involve some nominal additional fee to participate. I think most of the inner mechanics to make this happen are probably already in place and wouldn't require an extended amount of work by the administrators.
Betterphoto.com does this with some great instructors, and their classes are quite expensive. I think this idea should receive some serious consideration.
Please don't use this thread to plan this project. Just post your thoughts on the idea of it :)
Excellent suggestion, however, I have been involved in some "classes" that were held in the forums and they didn't last very long because most poeple, including myself, got too busy and had to drop out. Look up "Photoshop 101" in the forums.
Due to some recent discussions here, I think an excellent addition to this site would be the "DPC School of Photography". This would be an educational photography series that would be led by a group of volunteer instructors and it would not involve challenges. A group of coordinators would be formed to discuss a curriculum for the project. Once the curriculum is formed, a separate set of discussion groups would be created for each 'class' in the project, much like the DPL is setup now. Those groups would be private and only accessible by 'students' who have joined the program. There would also be private photo galleries created that are accessible by the instructors and students in each class.
I believe this would be insanely successful and probably should involve some nominal additional fee to participate. I think most of the inner mechanics to make this happen are probably already in place and wouldn't require an extended amount of work by the administrators.
Betterphoto.com does this with some great instructors, and their classes are quite expensive. I think this idea should receive some serious consideration.
Please don't use this thread to plan this project. Just post your thoughts on the idea of it :)
I have thought about doing something like this on my critiquedirect.com site using phpBB. I could set up groups that could have access to only certain threads and people could register. But I didn't believe there would be enough people to teach a class or want to teach a class to keep it going. It would be an off site from DPC but would be a learning tool for a lot of people. Do you think that would work?
i think it's a great idea, as far as coming up with a centralized point for learning. There is more than enough talent here for this. But i'll have to agree with delta_6 about finding regular time for the classes. That's the one thing about dpc that i love, it's so self-paced.
I have thought about doing something like this on my critiquedirect.com site using phpBB. I could set up groups that could have access to only certain threads and people could register. But I didn't believe there would be enough people to teach a class or want to teach a class to keep it going. It would be an off site from DPC but would be a learning tool for a lot of people. Do you think that would work?
Possibly, but I would personally love to see it happen here.
Excellent suggestion, however, I have been involved in some "classes" that were held in the forums and they didn't last very long because most poeple, including myself, got too busy and had to drop out. Look up "Photoshop 101" in the forums.
I think this "lack" of commitment comes from being free. When a person has to pay for something he or she will make sure to get what was paid for.
Since there does seem to be some interest, I think I'll write up a sample curriculum of a class I'd like to teach and post it here to see if there would be any interest. For those of you who have expressed an interest in teaching, you might want to think of a class you would like to teach and write up a curriculum for it as well just to see what sort of response you might get. I think either a 6 or 8-week format for the classes would be adequate, with one lesson and assignment set per week...
Since there does seem to be some interest, I think I'll write up a sample curriculum of a class I'd like to teach and post it here to see if there would be any interest. For those of you who have expressed an interest in teaching, you might want to think of a class you would like to teach and write up a curriculum for it as well just to see what sort of response you might get. I think either a 6 or 8-week format for the classes would be adequate, with one lesson and assignment set per week...
Would also be helpful if teachers included what their qualifications are for teaching the subject they want to teach. Helpful in deciding wether or not to signup I mean.
Since there does seem to be some interest, I think I'll write up a sample curriculum of a class I'd like to teach and post it here to see if there would be any interest. For those of you who have expressed an interest in teaching, you might want to think of a class you would like to teach and write up a curriculum for it as well just to see what sort of response you might get. I think either a 6 or 8-week format for the classes would be adequate, with one lesson and assignment set per week...
Would also be helpful if teachers included what their qualifications are for teaching the subject they want to teach. Helpful in deciding wether or not to signup I mean.
Nothing wrong with that... what sort of qualifications do you think would be necessary to define an adequate instructor? Most of the people who would be doing this are hobbyists that participate here on DPC.
Due to some recent discussions here, I think an excellent addition to this site would be the "DPC School of Photography". .....
I believe this would be insanely successful and probably should involve some nominal additional fee to participate. I think most of the inner mechanics to make this happen are probably already in place and wouldn't require an extended amount of work by the administrators.
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I think part of the funds should be redirected to the people that are teaching the classes. That way they will stay interested and be involved throughout the entire time the "class" is in session.
From watching other learning threads that have been introduced in the forums, the instruction part seems to peter out over a period of time. Some sooner than others. Class size should be limited and prequalification for the students should also be part of the process if more advanced classes are offered. Both the instructor and students get a valuable experience without people coming and going throughout the class time.
It's a good idea that would generate revenue for the site and the instructors. I'd love to take a class or two and think it's only fair to pay someone to teach.
Nothing wrong with that... what sort of qualifications do you think would be necessary to define an adequate instructor? Most of the people who would be doing this are hobbyists that participate here on DPC.
Anyone could run a class, I just think it would be useful info. If Skip or Judi or Cindi or someone were teaching classes related to the work they are doing professionally, I'd think there would be a good chance of learning something there. I would also likely pay to compensate them for their time.
If someone's sole qualification was a ribbon in a PJ challenge, I wouldn't expect as much. That's all.
And in terms of qualifications, some portfolio references to the style of photography that the "teacher" would teach would probably satisfy me in determining whether I would like that person's class.
Oh, another thing would be if the teacher could indicate if he/she has taught before/how much/what style.
