Web based school

[mbandgeek]

This is an Idea that i just came up with. In our current school system, we have a couse called iBio. It is basically a chatroom based class that students access at a certain time after school. I have been trying to find a system like this online for technical purposes. I think that it would be a great idea if controlbooth.com somehow created a system like this.
Possible subject materials could include:
Basic Sound
Intermediate Sound
Advanced Sound
Basic lighting
Intermediate Lighting
Advanced Lighting
Rigging
The only disadvantages of this sytem, is finding teachers that are certified in these areas, cost of maintaining the website.
Add possible classes and feedback on whether or not that this is a good idea.
Thanks,
Kevin

[Footer]

And paying the people... Many university's offer online theatre courses, and occasionally a technical class comes up. I personally find the online tech theatre courses a bit pointless. Dramatic lit and concept classes adapt OK to the online course thing, but I don't think that someone telling you how to run a focus works over a message board (hence the reason that some of us type 6 pages on one simple thing that we could physically show you in 30 seconds). Is there something that you want this "class" to bring you that you can not get here, lightnetwork, or blue room? Also, I think the first thing you need to do before you go looking for classes is to go get some books and start reading. Stage rigging handbook, Anything by Shelley, Gillete, and the list goes on. My advice is while you are still in school (and its free) is to take as many english classes, math classes, computer classes, physics classes, and drafting/shop/industrial arts classes, and most importantly ART! classes. Let these be your base for what you will later take in college. The best thing I ever did for myself was taking a drafting class, 2 art classes, and a dramatic lit class in high school.

[mbandgeek]

Yes this is all and well for the college student, but this is aimed at high school students. My Idea is designed around the student that are interested in tech, but don't have the rescources availabe. It does not have to be elaborate, maybe a one week to a one month program.

I know at the school i currently attend, The theatre classes only cover the bare minimum, and by bare, i mean, this is the sound board, this is light board, this is the fly system. No indepth training is a problem, no safety training can mean possible injury or death.

[Van]

I think I understand where you are comming from, and the desire to further your education iis commendable. I think there is some potential for your ideas. I'm not sure you could offer it as a "class" per se but you might be able to assemble several online guidelines , resources, textbooks. etc. Just to give you some insight , my wife is currently pursuing her Masters in Early Ed. through University of Pheonix. The online part of the class is mostly posting of messages in a newsgroup format. There is a lot of research and reference to books availible, a ton of reading that goes on. My wife can put together a presentation for a class at home then go in for a final class and present it with her teammates but thats because she has her neccessary tools sitting on her lap, her laptop. Now you could teach a Lighting design class a scenic design class, drafting, electrical theory, pretty much any of the "intro" type classes but for more advanced learning in this field most people are not going to have a fully equiped venue ready to hand. I agree with Footer < again> Online courses work wonderfully for the "book learning" side but without a well structured hands on curriculum an online class just wouldn't make a lot of sense for a technical theatre class.

[mbandgeek]

Okay scratch the Idea of an online based course.

How about using this site as a way for promising new techs to network and reach out into their local theaters to try to find a facility that is willing to share their time, knowledge, and equipment. All for the sake of giving the students a more in depth knowledge of tech. This is both beneficial to the student and the local theater. The theater gets a volunteer interested in tech, and the student gets the knowledge he or she wants.

Like as in my training, I got the basics from my school, like basic lighting and sound, then I went to the local fine arts center for the more hands on skills such as lighting design, sound processing, and rigging.

[soundlight]

Key word: you. I am a strong proponent of "promising techs" finding their own help. Sure, they might use a leg up, but it's not that hard to go to the fine arts center and ask if they need some help in exchange for some knowledge.

[Van]

Originally Posted by mbandgeek

Okay scratch the Idea of an online based course.

How about using this site as a way for promising new techs to network and reach out into their local theaters to try to find a facility that is willing to share their time, knowledge, and equipment. All for the sake of giving the students a more in depth knowledge of tech. This is both beneficial to the student and the local theater. The theater gets a volunteer interested in tech, and the student gets the knowledge he or she wants.

Like as in my training, I got the basics from my school, like basic lighting and sound, then I went to the local fine arts center for the more hands on skills such as lighting design, sound processing, and rigging.

Perhpas you should look into the CBGroups as well It seems to me Dave has set-up a great system that would accomplish a lot of what you're talking about. Having an online resource area to interact not only with the world, but through the groups menu, the ability to specifically interact with students,instructors, and other authorized personell from your area.