One thing you should know about me is I tend to be honest, sometimes, maybe, too honest. Personally, that is how I want to build this community. One parent this past week commented “empowering families” is one of the most important aspects of building healthy online communities for them; I think honesty is part of that as we can walk alongside each other in a genuine way, knowing the same things. 

When planning LIVE online classes, an online meeting platform of some kind is pretty essential (a must really). Whatever the venue, I know that choice is a factor many people consider because we all know there are some that are user friendly and others we’ll avoid at all cost. I mean if we are being real, by this point, most of us are well aware of the potential pain involved with attending anything online.

By now we are all too well versed in technology glitches, low internet bandwidth, unwanted background noise, and the void of black boxes… Online events, classes, anything can feel draining. Sometimes  mind-numbingly boring with almost non-existent interaction and just a feeling of being spoken at. 

On the other end of the screen, educators like me also know the struggles. I have been leading online classes for 3.5 yrs. and I’ll be honest when I first started I basically took what I did in a live workshop/class and plunked it into a zoom meeting. Now friends, this does not work, mistakes have been acknowledged and apologies sent to my early learners (kidding.. mostly). 

Online instruction is nothing like in person instruction, it’s infinitely more challenging. Kudos to all the teachers who were willingly (or not) thrown into the online world in service of their learners when the pandemic took over our routines. I will tell you, in no uncertain terms, 120 kids in a room is way (I mean way easier) to manage effectively than 15 kids online. There is a different rhythm to teaching online.

However, before I successfully sell you on never attending an online meeting (or leading one) again let me tell you about the other side, the part we often take for granted and especially the part I wouldn’t trade for anything… 

On the good side of online learning is flexibility. The convenience is unmatched! No running around, no gas, no missed classes. Simply log in, and attend. There have been times in my home when I am teaching, while one son attends a physics class, and the other speech and debate. There is no way this could happen with in person classes. 

Another benefit is the sheer volume of classes/topics/teachers available to us with a few clicks of a mouse. Online classes connect us globally! They give us access to instructors around the world that would literally be impossible with only in person classes. My son’s favourite baking teacher is in Florida and his favourite Science teacher in Montreal, which we access weekly all from the comfort of our home in British Columbia. Because this is a global community, learners also have the opportunity to grow in a diversified community. My boys literally have friends from around the world and get to gain a truly global perspective.