Personal lesson plans available for all
bodawei
January 27, 2010, 09:01 AM posted in General DiscussionI'd like to see personal lesson plans available for all learners, for a price. Specially on such an educationally anarchic site. We all need some order in our lives. This 'feature' is at present offered just to Executive, Guided subscribers. I look forward to ChinesePod exhibiting some of the spirit of the Chinese entrepreneur, where almost everything is available for a price.
bodawei
@pretzellogic
I used the term used by ChinesePod themselves. I have not subscribed at that level so I cannot tell you exactly what is in a 'personal lesson plan' but I would expect it to include an assessment of current ability, some learning goals and some specific means of achieving those goals within a certain period of time (to be reviewed.) I guess you might need a review every three months or so or as required. So, yes, some 'tailoring' is involved. Although I imagine there would be several templates that could be drawn upon and adjusted according to individual requirements.
My suggestion is that everyone needs a 'plan', even those subscribing at a Basic or Premium level. Even if not everyone needs one, why not have it as an option, paid for separately? We are not all trained teachers/learners - writing a 'personal plan' is not that easy and we could benefit from the experience of ChinesePod staff. Many people would be willing to pay for this advice. Just a suggestion.
EmmaLouise1
I agree with bodwei. I've struggled for some time without a plan (being only a humble basic subscriber) and I think if I'd of had a learning plan earlier on, I would have definitely progressed much much faster in my Chinese. But because I've spent countless hours over the last 6 months, trying to invent a plan that works for me, I'm still without an effective one and I'm wasting time trying to invent one T.T I'm probably slightly OCD :P in the sense that I can't embark on something unless I have a structured plan so I know what I'm embarking on and what it will entail! I would huuuuugley benefit from some kind of structured plan as I'm not a professional teacher and I have no idea what plan of my would or would not be effective! Of course, I'd be willing to pay for a tailored plan ^^
simonpettersson
It definitely has to be paid for by the people who actually want the plan. I certainly don't want one and I don't want to pay for it and not use it. As long as the plans are an optional paid addon and not something included in all the lesson plans automatically, I don't have anything against it.
bodawei
January 27, 2010, 04:47 PM@pretzellogic
I used the term used by ChinesePod themselves. I have not subscribed at that level so I cannot tell you exactly what is in a 'personal lesson plan' but I would expect it to include an assessment of current ability, some learning goals and some specific means of achieving those goals within a certain period of time (to be reviewed.) I guess you might need a review every three months or so or as required. So, yes, some 'tailoring' is involved. Although I imagine there would be several templates that could be drawn upon and adjusted according to individual requirements.
My suggestion is that everyone needs a 'plan', even those subscribing at a Basic or Premium level. Even if not everyone needs one, why not have it as an option, paid for separately? We are not all trained teachers/learners - writing a 'personal plan' is not that easy and we could benefit from the experience of ChinesePod staff. Many people would be willing to pay for this advice. Just a suggestion.
sabrinapm
January 27, 2010, 07:15 PMYes, I think that we do all need order in our lives. This is a great idea. Not everyone can afford or wants Executive or Guided plans
pretzellogic
Just curious about the rationale behind your thinking here. It sounds like you think that a custom tailored plan for you would be cheaper for Chinesepod to deliver to you than their current offerings. Is that the case?
bodawei
Pretzellogic, I assume that this question is directed at me? Yes, I do think that an 'add on' in the form of a personalized lesson or learning plan would be a cheaper option for Basic and Premium subscribers than going to the Executive or Guided options. I'm sure that poddies could volunteer some suggestions on pricing if ChinesePod struggles with the pricing problem. The Executive and Guided options provide speaking practice, regular contact with a teacher etc., on top of a personal plan, don't they?
suxiaoya
January 28, 2010, 01:55 AM@bodawei
Thanks for sharing this idea. It's really interesting to read the feedback here, and I hope more people will share their opinions.
While there are no current plans to offer this teacher service as an add-on to Basic and Premium subscriptions, it's something we will certainly bear in mind for the future.
jckeith
Hmm, well since you asked, I'll have to agree with Simon. I think making it an optional feature would be the way to go.
jckeith
January 28, 2010, 02:00 AMHmm, well since you asked, I'll have to agree with Simon. I think making it an optional feature would be the way to go.
pretzellogic
January 28, 2010, 03:55 AMJust curious about the rationale behind your thinking here. It sounds like you think that a custom tailored plan for you would be cheaper for Chinesepod to deliver to you than their current offerings. Is that the case?
pretzellogic
January 27, 2010, 09:44 AMbodawei, when you say 'personal lesson plan', what do you mean? Cpod performs a speaking and writing assessment on each learner, then tailors something based on their assessment?
I'm curious what you want cpod to offer that would be different under the existing plans, given some users need guiding, some can study on their own, and some need frequent hand holding and coaching. cpod already offers this. Can you give some examples?