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Hello all,
I have been very busy since I last posted, so I apologize for the delay in this update.
My first fully online 10-week session (Ocean) starts next week. I have recorded 10 classes, each around 30 minutes. I was only able to do each song twice, but the families can rewatch the videos, so I am forgiving myself for that.
Each family received a CD, audio book and for each child, a workbook, toy and weekly crafts along with a bag to keep all of the materials in. I packaged everything up by week, so the first week included images on cardstock that they could cut out to use as props as well as the craft and the final week included the craft and certificates for each child.
Prices are $100 per family, plus $25 per child for materials. I let parents decide whether to purchase materials for the very young.
Each week, the families will receive an email reminding them to watch the video available on Vimeo and what materials they will need for the recorded class. Then, they join their assigned 15-20 minute Zoom class with the craft completed and perhaps something in the workbook to show me.
The Zoom classes will be an opportunity to reinforce vocabulary from each week’s class and praise them for their at-home work. I have limited how many kids/families are in each session so that they all have a chance to participate fully.
I have 9 full Zoom classes consisting of 30 families with 60 kids (including the babies). Most of the families who joined already knew me, several had moved away and were excited to play again with me virtually.
I was able to find 8 more families by doing free trial classes on Pearchute, Activity Hero and Outschool.
Through Pearchute and Activity Hero, I was able to capture many email addresses, even if the families did not show up for the trial class. I will use these addresses to market my regular classes to them through Mailchimp, which allows them to unsubscribe if they choose.
Outschool does not share email addresses and does not allow free classes, so I charged $5 for a 30 minute class – they kept 30%. They would not allow me to post my Summer classes either due to the fact that families are required to purchase additional materials for the class. Oh well. I explained this fact to those who were willing to do a 30 minute intro class and followed up with a message on how to find me outside of Outschool. I have 2 families who joined.
Pearchute had mixed results with many of free classes having no families or very few participate, with the exception of one class that had 22 kids join after they randomly sent text messages to the members to encourage them to attend. I have 3 families who joined for the Summer session. The free classes were free for me to do and if I had listed my 10-week session with them, they would have taken a 30% cut.
Activity Hero by far was the most successful, with almost every class filling to 15 kids, although attendance was often only a handful at a time and many parents simply turned on the device and then left the room. I learned quickly to only list one class at a time and wait until it filled before listing a new one. Many families would sign up for all of the classes, creating a long wait list. The free classes were free to do but they kept 15% + 3% transaction fee for each registration for the full 10-week session. 3 families registered through them.
Veronica asked about what to do if families want to join after the session has already begun. I plan to let them join late if they wish since everything is done at home. While they will miss the Zoom sessions that have already taken place, they can catch themselves up easily on their own. Normally, I would prorate for the missed classes, but in this case, I may not offer that since my margins are very thin. What do you think?
I could write more about what equipment I am using and tips for recording if anyone is interested. What is working for you?
Christina – your video was REALLY good! Congratulations!
After 3 weeks of trying, I have discovered that the recorded videos should not exceed 30 minutes or so. By the time they do the craft, they have run out of steam. Plus, my kids are then doing a 15 minute Zoom class with me so I can reinforce vocabulary. During the last 2 Zoom classes, I have found a 2-3 minute video on YouTube that reinforces the vocabulary and then we talk about the video. They really enjoyed that. I emailed the link for the video along with a trancript in both languages for the parents to use as an additional tool.
I have also learned that I need to send a text message to the families right before our short Zoom session. We are all having a hard time keeping track of time or what day it is for that matter! Several have really struggled, so I added that to my to-do’s prior to each Zoom class.
The Zoom classes are an important piece. It keeps us connected and the parents tell me how much the kids look forward to the interaction with their friends and teacher – even if it is very brief.
In May, I will start another 10-week session using 30 minute, weekly recorded classes with 15-minute Zoom sessions. I have also learned that 8 kids are the maximum number for a Zoom session. This ensures that everyone gets a turn to talk.
I’m enjoying this thread! Everyone keep posting ideas and questions!
Best,
Barbara
PS – here is a clip of a couple of my cuties doing a recorded class with me in their home:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=sdMyp8LvGaU&feature=emb_logo
I’ve had a variety of autistic kids in my classes and I LOVE them! They will do EVERYTHING I do – even scratch my nose! They are really engaged and I believe they are learning a lot. Of course, there are lots of personalities and the shy ones take more coaxing to speak than the others. The kids with ADHD tend to be more difficult to keep on task.
Hello all!
Well, I have really approached online learning reluctantly, but here we are. I had 5 classes of the Home theme to go when we were all asked to start social distancing.
Eight classes with almost forty families! What to do? I quickly bundled up the remaining crafts and was able to distribute them via pick up and post.
Originally, I planned to do one live class via Zoom and record it for those who couldn’t attend. After tinkering with the technology over the weekend, I realized what a challenge this might become, so I hastily recorded the class for families to watch at their leisure, instructing them to gather props from their home (clothes, food, toy cars, etc).
If you would like to see what I put together, please click this link – https://vimeo.com/402043845/b0943262d7
I purchased lighting for $40 on amazon as well as an external microphone for my laptop for the recording. The feedback I have received is that the volume was still too low on some of their devices, so I will try to do the recording in a smaller room with better acoustics for next week’s lesson.
I did host the Zoom session and played a game (mystery bag with objects they already know) and tried to read a topical book. It was fun seeing their faces but it was too many and then the internet service for my entire neighborhood went out during the book reading time. What a bummer. The feedback I received was that the connection was choppy and there were too many faces. I had intended to record the session, but failed there as well. 🙁
I do intend to finish the session out with recorded classes but would like to continue the live online element via Zoom. Should I set up a sign-up genius for families to schedule one-on-one time with me via Zoom or should I hold a short session for each of the 8 classes during their regularly scheduled class time? I’m on the fence here.
I would appreicate your feedback on the above if you are reading this!
This is an uncertain time and we are all out there trying to figure things out as we go. I am so happy to have this forum to exchange ideas.
Thank you to everyone who has posted here. I look forward to more input from others!
Best,
Barbara MillsI have been getting more and more very young children – a 2.5 month old this fall for example! If the child is under 18 months old and is a sibling, they are free. I do this because so many parents have a hard time justifying the cost for a preverbal child. For children under 18 months that are the only or oldest child, I charge half price tuition. It seems to work.
I would LOVE to have a babies only class and shorten the time and skip the craft, etc. But I’m a bit torn because I can see how the babies are watchers and really get a lot from observing the older kids play.
I just might have enough babies, if we can get our schedules to work together, to do a babies only class in the Spring, but I hesitate because I see the advantage of the Montesorri style mixed age class.
What do you think?
