Online Instruction?????

Mike Sweeney · Post by **Mike Sweeney** » 21 Sep 2011 7:11 am

I had several people at the ISGC ask me about online instruction via Skype. I am considering this and just want to get an idea of the interest in this sort of instruction. Let me know what you think!

Richard Damron · Post by **Richard Damron** » 21 Sep 2011 7:39 am

Mike -

Maybe yes. Maybe no. It depends.

I have ongoing conversations with several steel players scattered across the globe. The combination video/audio has been so-so to downright deplorable. It appears as if there is an inescapable bandwidth issue over which we have no control. A caveat: - I am forced to use satellite internet service which, I suspect, plays a role in the less-than-desirable results.

I may be that one-in-a-hundred for whom the scheme would not work. Don't know. As a test, I invite you to contact me via Skype and give it a test drive. Further, it would most likely behoove you to contact others spread across the country and do likewise. Call it a feasibility study, if you will. I suggest this since a few have apparently attempted to do this and have abandoned the idea.

My Skype user name: - richard.damron1

I'm in Gallatin, Tennessee. A neighbor.

Having given a slightly negative opinion to the idea, I, nonetheless, approve of the concept. Sure beats loading up one's gear and trekking to a teacher's house and all of the minor attendant hassles.

Give me a call - for whatever it will be worth. I'll give you my honest appraisal.

Richard

Jon Ross · Post by **Jon Ross** » 21 Sep 2011 10:15 am

I too have a bandwidth problem that makes it miserable to do it live. As long as a person is able to download the lesson to use whenever, the idea is great!

Joe Drivdahl · Post by **Joe Drivdahl** » 21 Sep 2011 10:37 am

Not sure if its worth an investment, but Adobe has a product named "Connect" that we have used for distance education delivery. Seems to work pretty well and can be used for one-to-many delivery methods. Not sure of the cost.

Joe

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 21 Sep 2011 11:37 am

Mike, I am one who would welcome this idea with open arms. I speak and hear clearly on Skype all over the world. Except maybe in rare instances like Richard's.
Like he says, it is likely the satellite or just a bad area for satellite transmission?
I am on hi speed here via the local cable. No matter if I talk with China, Norway or next door, it is clear as a bell both audio and video.
I would most certainly welcome your brand of teaching via Skype. I have read and heard about your teaching boot camps.
One suggestion is that you and potential students get a quality head set. The sound quality improves and you are hands-free.

You are welcome to use me as your guinea pig!
My Skype name is beroro.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 21 Sep 2011 12:51 pm

i"ve been successfully using skype for 2 years
why , it's better than the phone !
when i get a psg for a client here, i have him set up on skype so i can help him set it up, tune it, get started & eventually give lessons
recording the session is the plus
like Bent most of my connections/sessions have been good (Europa & USA)
Richard D is one w: whom i have exchanged but his sat connection is not the best
pretty much the same w: a fellow in Tahiti & another in Joburg SA
Land lines are better
Skype is a great tool & mostly reliable & FOC...

to quote Richard D :

" Sure beats loading up one's gear and trekking to a teacher's house and all of the minor attendant hassles. "

my skype handle is : crowbear on the island of Pitcairn

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 28 Sep 2011 5:23 pm

Sidebar: I use Skype as my telephone as well. Call all over North America for 2.99 a month and overseas calls to landlines cost 2.8c a minute. You buy time online via PayPal or credit card. Had it for 7 or 8 years now. Safe, secure, and in many cases clearer than the regular phone.

Cal Sharp · Post by **Cal Sharp** » 28 Sep 2011 5:31 pm

Sweenasaurus, Gary Talley does it.
http://www.garytalley.com/web/index.php ... ssons.html

Robert Cates · Post by **Robert Cates** » 29 Sep 2011 4:34 pm

Cal..Is Mike so old that he has to have a dinosaur name or is the music he plays really old?
I would be interested in lessons via skype but I would have to take a crash course in computer and skype use first.
Count me in..especially for the winter months
Bob

Cal Sharp · Post by **Cal Sharp** » 29 Sep 2011 5:02 pm

Cal..Is Mike so old that he has to have a dinosaur name or is the music he plays really old?
I would be interested in lessons via skype but I would have to take a crash course in computer and skype use first.

Ah, he's not as old as he looks, probably younger than most of the music he plays so well.

He can thank Jay Andrews for that nickname.
Maybe on his faux web site he'd include Skype instructions.