As a teacher of many years, I have had experience with both the online and real-world teaching environments. Each has its advantages. Now, more and more, I am being asked to teach online – blended in some situations, with a real-world, face-to-face component, and and online component; real-world only in others; and online only in still others. As I work on my SEO (search engine optimization) course, I am thinking more and more about how students can benefit from each opportunity.
Real-World SEO Training: The AcademyX Example
One of my teaching gigs is with AcademyX, a fabulous "real-world" business institute in San Francisco. I teach their courses on SEO Training, San Francisco as well as Pay-per-click Advertising, San Francisco. Both courses are excellent, and have excellent computer facilities. Plus it’s in the heart of the SF financial district, so it’s trendy, fun, and surrounded by really good food!
The students clearly benefit from the best of both worlds: face-to-face interaction and the ability to use their computers right then and there. I love it, and the students love it. So, if you are in San Francisco, it’s a great option for anyone interested in the SEO.
What’s the downside? There are a few difficulties:
- If you don’t live near San Francisco, then you can’t attend the real-world classes. This is the biggest issue.
- The courses are compressed into a single day format, so if you can’t make that day, or you can’t spare eight full hours out of your office, that is another difficulty. (They have added an intensive twenty-four session series on Google / Search Engine Marketing, which I also teach. It’s for the really hard core SEO people!)
Other big cities – New York, Boston, Dallas – also have training in SEO. But what do you do if you don’t live in a big city? What if you can’t attend a one-day course?
Online SEO Training
SEO can be taught online. Obviously it’s very computer centric, so doing it online is a natural. With software, such as WebX or Gotowebinar, the students can sit at their own computers and watch in real-time as the instructor gives examples of SEO.
I have been using the Gotowebinar software for some time now, beginning primarily with eg3.com as we conducted webinars for the hi-tech community. For SEO, these online trainings have expanded to more and more people. I am finding many small businesses (outside of tech) that I never would have thought of, that can benefit from the online seo training and avoid having to drive to the "big city" for their trainings.
The other big benefit to online is that I break up the trainings across several days, and archive them in Windows Media Format. Many people are too busy to devote an entire day, and can catch what I call the "TIVO" version after work or at home.
The downside to online is the lack of face-to-face interaction. The software does allow for questions and answers, but there is enough trouble with the audio that I am reluctant to depend on it for a true question and answer session. It misses a bit of the human touch as well in that I don’t bond as well with the students and don’t feel that human interaction.
So it depends on your situation. If you have a full day and live near San Francisco, then I highly recommend their SEO courses. If not, consider online. Try my Search Engine Optimization – FREE SEO Training Webinar coming up soon.
