Optimism
I feel so much optimism about these Web classes I can hardly stand it! I was reading through the Moodle manual yesterday and also a bunch of related publications.
Moodle is the software I'm going to use to set up the Web classes. Hmmm, I think I just decided to stop calling them Web classes and begin calling this program "distance learning." That will encompass the teleclasses too.
Okay, so Moodle is in a class of software called "course management systems," or CMS. It allows me to set up the virtual classrooms complete with chat sessions, photos, video and Flash demonstrations.
Moodle is open source software. That means it is given away free. It is not shareware, because there is never a request from the developer for money at any time. It is not a demo version, it's the real thing.
The open source movement is amazing. It is a worldwide phenomenon and it has a huge impact on the software world. Microsoft is scared shitless. Why? Because there is an operating system that is much better than Microsoft Windows called Linux that you can download for free. There is an office suite that is as good as Microsoft Office called Open Office that you can download for free. Get the picture?
I wouldn't suggest that you immediately start downloading Linux to replace your Windows just yet. Linux is much more stable than Windows, but it is not as user-friendly...yet. There is a version of Linux that is extremely user-friendly that is called Linspire, but it costs a little ($99). You pay extra for a feature called Click-n-Run (first year is free) which you will definitely want, because it allows you to download thousands of open source packages for free or low cost and makes it very easy to do so - one click.
Anyway, don't get me started talking about the joys of open source. I think everyone involved with that movement ought to be knighted and worshipped on a pedestal.
Back to the distance learning plan. Moodle is such a fantastic basis for me to use that I think the classes that come out of this effort will be incredible! The features, the learning protocol, the material, the ease. Of course, with distance learning, the student can choose to go through the class material at their own pace, and whenever they have time. For holistic practitioners, this can mean that they will take the class material when they have cancelled appointments in the middle of the day. What a great time to take a class! They can also do it at night, early in the morning, weekends, whenever.
Well, my optimism overfloweth. Wish me luck on Phase I.
12:32:50 PM 
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