If you were booking a course .....
By GreenMoo
@GreenMoo (11833)
January 22, 2012 9:54am CST
I'm trying to plan some courses that we run at the farm each summer, and I'd like your ideas if you don't mind. I have to offer a minimum of 72 hours teaching, but I can offer the course in either an intensive 9 day format or a more relaxed 12 or even 14 day format. Both will offer the same classroom based work, but the longer course would offer more practical sessions and time to discuss and digest the information.
Both options would be residential, so obviously the longer course would be more expensive. The longer course would also be more difficult to fit into a two week holiday from work, if that's what course participants were planning.
If you were wanting to go on a residential course, which format would you choose? Shorter and cheaper, or longer and more costly but with extra practical sessions? The certificate awarded at the end would be exactly the same.
Have you ever been on a residential course? How did you fit it around work and family?
3 people like this
5 responses
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
22 Jan 12
What kind of people will take the course? If it is younger people with jobs you want to offer the shorter, more intense course. If you think retired people or those with a lot of money will be interested you may want to offer the longer course. Can you offer both, one kind at the beginning of summer and one at the end?
I would personally prefer the longer one but I'm older and retired. If I was a younger person with a career I'd want a faster pace.
1 person likes this
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
22 Jan 12
We ran it last year, and had ages between early twenties and mid sixties, so a pretty good spread. The majority though were travelling, so didn't have jobs to worry about.
Both have appeal, which is why I'm wavering. Your suggestion of one of each may be what I'll settle on.
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
22 Jan 12
Shorter would be my choice too, just because it's so much easier to get away and fit it in. But many people who attend our courses are travelling so it's less important to them. I'm finding it really hard to make a decision!
The course is the 72 hour Permaculture Design Course. We ran it last year and it was a huge success.
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
22 Jan 12
hi I have never been on one of these residential courses. probably the younger ones will want the shorter courses,I would prefer the medium course rather than the longest or shortest. i have always wanted to take courses to become a legal aide. I almost had it in junior college but missed one subject.good luck with your residential
courses. I just never was offered that opportunity.
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
23 Jan 12
Personally, I would go for shorter and cheaper. Since the certificate at the end is exactly the same, it makes more sense to go with shorter and cheaper.
I must say that nine days really isn't short. For those with jobs, family and other obligations, that is still a pretty sizable chunk of time.
