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Excited to share more about our new company!
Today @gaganbiyani and I are announcing a $4.32M seed round led by @firstround
We're building a platform for Cohort-Based-Courses: http://bit.ly/wk-gb
But first, a few lessons from the past 5+ years building CBCs...
Today @gaganbiyani and I are announcing a $4.32M seed round led by @firstround
We're building a platform for Cohort-Based-Courses: http://bit.ly/wk-gb
But first, a few lessons from the past 5+ years building CBCs...
When Seth Godin and I started the altMBA in 2015, I had no idea cohort-based courses (CBCs) would grow this fast.
At first I was skeptical: Could an online course be both intimate yet scalable?
Then our 1st cohort of ~100 students in May 2015. We knew this format was special
At first I was skeptical: Could an online course be both intimate yet scalable?
Then our 1st cohort of ~100 students in May 2015. We knew this format was special
1. Learning by doing
In working with 10,000+ students in cohort-based courses of all sizes, I've rarely heard students say "I wish there were more lectures."
In working with 10,000+ students in cohort-based courses of all sizes, I've rarely heard students say "I wish there were more lectures."
What do they say?
"I wish there were more...
â small group discussions
â hands on projects
â critique/feedback
â Q&A
â role playing
â time to hear from other students
â solo exercises
â reflection questions"
CBCs create a space for this type of active learning
"I wish there were more...
â small group discussions
â hands on projects
â critique/feedback
â Q&A
â role playing
â time to hear from other students
â solo exercises
â reflection questions"
CBCs create a space for this type of active learning
2. Time bound w/start and end dates
If something is available anytime, there's little urgency.
In theory, watching lecture videos anytime on demand gave you flexibility. In reality, it meant most ppl gave up or got distracted which is why completion rates were low (6-7%).
If something is available anytime, there's little urgency.
In theory, watching lecture videos anytime on demand gave you flexibility. In reality, it meant most ppl gave up or got distracted which is why completion rates were low (6-7%).
On the other hand, CBCs can have 90-95% completion rates.
Part of this is bc you might have 2, 4, or 8 weeks to do a course. After that, it's gone.
Personally my best work has always been done in a sprint w/a deadline. Not rushed but time bound. This forces students to focus.
Part of this is bc you might have 2, 4, or 8 weeks to do a course. After that, it's gone.
Personally my best work has always been done in a sprint w/a deadline. Not rushed but time bound. This forces students to focus.
3. Built-in hooks help students stay accountable
â Nontrivial price points ($500-$5,000/student) help students take the course seriously
â Start and end dates so more urgency to participate
â Positive peer pressure to show up for fellow classmates https://twitter.com/wes_kao/status/1275825916325908481?s=20
â Nontrivial price points ($500-$5,000/student) help students take the course seriously
â Start and end dates so more urgency to participate
â Positive peer pressure to show up for fellow classmates https://twitter.com/wes_kao/status/1275825916325908481?s=20
4. Community
I've shared my insecurities and opened up about my challenges more via Zoom small groups discussions now than I have IRL...
The communities and deep connections built in CBCs is real and special https://twitter.com/wes_kao/status/1280605874428489728?s=20
I've shared my insecurities and opened up about my challenges more via Zoom small groups discussions now than I have IRL...
The communities and deep connections built in CBCs is real and special https://twitter.com/wes_kao/status/1280605874428489728?s=20
5. Nuanced enough for operators
Earlier this week I was talking to a designer who said she learned Photoshop with MOOCs.
But it taught her very little about creative strategy, how to elevate her taste level, or make creative decisions.
Earlier this week I was talking to a designer who said she learned Photoshop with MOOCs.
But it taught her very little about creative strategy, how to elevate her taste level, or make creative decisions.
Those kinds of topics are more helpful to learn in a collaborative space w/feedback, debate, discussion, and feedback loops.
And by operators who are connected to the current challenges of doing the actual work (not celebrities).
And by operators who are connected to the current challenges of doing the actual work (not celebrities).
One more thing...
Before when I was consulting, I was painfully aware of how many brilliant experts didn't have budget to hire someone like me.
They couldn't afford a 15 person team of course mngrs, community mngrs, etc. They couldn't put everything aside to make a course
Before when I was consulting, I was painfully aware of how many brilliant experts didn't have budget to hire someone like me.
They couldn't afford a 15 person team of course mngrs, community mngrs, etc. They couldn't put everything aside to make a course
This is why I'm driven to work on this business.
I want to democratize cohort-based courses. I want to help ANY instructor who is credible, excited to teach, and wants to share their knowledge be able to do so.
I want to democratize cohort-based courses. I want to help ANY instructor who is credible, excited to teach, and wants to share their knowledge be able to do so.
If you'd like to hear more and stay in touch, check out this page: https://bit.ly/wk-gb
We're actively looking for a product/technical co-founder, so DM me if you're interested :]
We're actively looking for a product/technical co-founder, so DM me if you're interested :]
