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We talk about structured learning experiences as *courses*.
But the common experience of an online course, and our ~vision~ for what courses can be, are two very different things!
Here, seven archetypes for the possibility space of courses:
https://hyperlink.academy/blog/what-can-courses-be
But the common experience of an online course, and our ~vision~ for what courses can be, are two very different things!
Here, seven archetypes for the possibility space of courses:
https://hyperlink.academy/blog/what-can-courses-be
(1) Course as bounded exploration of a topic
"Traditional" course with readings, discussions, and a project or evaluation. Designed to organize and convey a certain subset of knowledge.
Example: a great syllabus designed for self-guided learning
"Traditional" course with readings, discussions, and a project or evaluation. Designed to organize and convey a certain subset of knowledge.
Example: a great syllabus designed for self-guided learning
(2) Course as community onboarding
One-time lesson or sequence of lessons that introduces you to a community, and may grant ongoing access to that community and/or associated space or equipment.
Example: introductory letterpress workshop
One-time lesson or sequence of lessons that introduces you to a community, and may grant ongoing access to that community and/or associated space or equipment.
Example: introductory letterpress workshop
(3) Course as project propulsion
A course directed towards a specific tangible outcome. This often takes the form of a concrete project or achievement, like building a personal website or completing a difficult book.
Example: Crafter's Box; Creative Live
A course directed towards a specific tangible outcome. This often takes the form of a concrete project or achievement, like building a personal website or completing a difficult book.
Example: Crafter's Box; Creative Live
(4) Course as community of practice
Experiential learning, where the goal is to learn by doing. It may be a creative practice-focused course that runs regularly, where you can drop in anytime and get to know the community.
Example: professional community; creative writing group
Experiential learning, where the goal is to learn by doing. It may be a creative practice-focused course that runs regularly, where you can drop in anytime and get to know the community.
Example: professional community; creative writing group
(5) Course as generative learning event
Collaborative exploration, bounded in time but with an emergent direction. This may look like an unconference, or an event designed to explore a particular set of questions.
Example: Antidisciplinarathon
Collaborative exploration, bounded in time but with an emergent direction. This may look like an unconference, or an event designed to explore a particular set of questions.
Example: Antidisciplinarathon
(6) Course as (transformation?) framework
A course meant to reorient you, introduce a new paradigm or perspective, unlock a personal or professional transformation, more so than produce a tangible artifact.
Example: altMBA; coaching or mastermind programs
A course meant to reorient you, introduce a new paradigm or perspective, unlock a personal or professional transformation, more so than produce a tangible artifact.
Example: altMBA; coaching or mastermind programs
(7) Course as introduction or teaser
A course designed to be short and simple, free or inexpensive, more a taste than a full meal. It may serve as on-ramp to a more comprehensive learning experience.
Example: any course with a more intensive (and expensive) older sibling ;)
A course designed to be short and simple, free or inexpensive, more a taste than a full meal. It may serve as on-ramp to a more comprehensive learning experience.
Example: any course with a more intensive (and expensive) older sibling ;)
These are — of course! — only starting points. Depending on your topic, goals, and other constraints, there are near-infinite possibilities.
We hope the above archetypes point at a more expansive view on what a course can be, and may spark some ideas for you to explore!
We hope the above archetypes point at a more expansive view on what a course can be, and may spark some ideas for you to explore!
Hyperlink runs something called the Meta Course — a free workshop for going from idea to full-fledged curriculum, together with a small group of other creators.
If you have a course seedling you'd like help cultivating, we'd love to talk! >>> [email protected]
If you have a course seedling you'd like help cultivating, we'd love to talk! >>> [email protected]
