How to Get the Most Out of Online Skillshare Classes

As Skillshare student Cecilie Wold put it,

"For me in this class, it's about being engaged. Asking questions, posting stuff, ask for feedback. Sitting in a corner, soaking it all in, is comfortable, but nobody is going to ask your questions for you."

We couldn't have said it better!

In large, online classes, active participation is key - as the saying goes, the more you put in, the more you get out. Skillshare's online courses are often very hands-on and are designed to encourage collaboration and conversation among students.

It's all about power in numbers: the more you and other students contribute by sharing your projects, posting resources you've found, or asking questions of your teacher or fellow students in the Discussions, the more content and feedback you'll have access to, and the more you'll learn!

Here are some simple things you can do to get the most out of your online Skillshare class:

Get to know your fellow students

Introduce yourself in the Discussions as soon as you join a class. Let your teacher and your peers know who you are, where you "live" online, and what you're hoping to get out of the class.

Tune in

Attend the lectures, office hours, and other events led by your teacher. This is your best opportunity for teacher interaction - don't miss your chance!

Complete the assignments and your final project

The tasks your teacher lines up for you are meant to help you apply what you're learning to your own real-world projects. If you want to leave the class with tangible proof of what you've learned, start your work early so you can get lots of feedback from your peers during class and finish up by the end!

Collaborate with your peers

Join or start a Group. Especially if your class is large, this is a great way to get more direct attention and feedback during class. You might even build long-lasting relationships with like-minded folks!

Get talking

Use the Discussions to participate in interesting conversations and ask questions when you're stumped. This is another way you can snag the attention of your teacher or other students - if you share great content, they'll appreciate it, and if you ask provocative questions, they'll answer!

For those of you who are extra credit students...you can always become a TA. Just start a group like this one and model top student behavior throughout your class - you'll be the teacher's pet and your fellow students will appreciate your enthusiasm and follow suit!

Get started by browsing classes here!