#JohnWick_77_Challenge #14: Learning about Skillshare
When/Where started: APR 2019 — Manila
Though I am writing these challenges in a linear numerical format, many of them were taking place simultaneously. I was moving the 5_STAR into Udemy shortly after I had prototyped a lesson in SkillShare. The consulting was also in full swing at this time Feb 2019.
After some freelance portal research I decided to load all three hours (consisting of three modules broken down into 17–20 LB or learning blocks — meaning I had to re-edit certain videos and add a few other elements) of the Id-4-Edu course > Challenge #9 into SkillShare. Not so much as a revenue stream (though that would have been nice), but more of a prototype to see how easy Skillshare is mto use for both instructor and learner.
This however meant learning yet another new portal. By that I mean learning not just how it formats, but also needed to learn how it ‘thinks’. Not just ‘how are lessons laid out’ (by looking at similar courses posted by other people), but ‘why’ is it done this way. The ‘why’ greatly helps me to better understand how to utilize a portal or LMS and what lesson planning conceptual or format changes needed to be made.
Unlike a true LMS that allows the instructor to construct the lesson(s) as they desire, portals like Skillshare and Udemy have very set parameters. On the one hand these parameters are great for easy user experience. On the other hand, they are a bit of a pain in the ass for experienced educators as they are very limiting.
Skillshare’s real niche market is with hobbyists. If Pinterest had a video ‘how to’ section — that is skillshare. They have done an excellent job in hitting Western markets. However, their business model is grossly overpriced for markets in developing and underdeveloped countries. (To be fair, so are most LMS packages!) Their portal is not very friendly to any kind of academic course, because it is set up for hobbyists, not academics.
Why am I mentioning markets? Because the Id-4-Edu program is specifically teachers and Instructional Designers in developing or underdeveloped countries. Thus I quickly realized their monthly subscription model would not appeal to teachers in Africa or SE Asia.
This realization however got me to thinking seriously about using Youtube.
ACTION POINT: aAlways prototype an idea before you launch your bread and butter project to the world at large!
