Mini-Courses

I've always struggled with wanting to teach more computer-related material than I typically have time for during a regular semester. Also, while most of my current curriculum is based on skills required by state standards, my students have different interests in what they would like to do on a computer.

So my idea, which I've had for a while, is to create a Mini-Course that allows the student to work through a computer skill like Photo-Editing in their own time and discover how to learn on their own. It's been working out great so far and I've been able to sit back and be a facilitator for all the students, nudging them in the right direction and providing my "expert" knowledge when necessary. The students were a little apprehensive at first about learning on their own, but after they had a couple of quick successes with the course they had chosen, they were all in. My only problem may be pulling them away from the Mini-Courses and get them back to their businesses!
#tw