When you take a class at Quilt University, you will receive a password that lets you enter the classroom. Classes last from 2 to 6 weeks and cost from $18 to $72 US.
New lessons are available by 9 a.m. ET on Saturday morning, but you do not have to be there at any special time. Once the lesson is open, you may retrieve your materials whenever it is convenient. In general, a new lesson is posted each Saturday, but a detailed schedule for your class is available on the Welcome page. Some classes include an extra week between lessons and this will be noted. All lessons will remain available to you for three full weeks after the last lesson is posted. You may visit your classroom as many times as you wish while it is open. It is your responsibility to retrieve all materials before the closing date of the class. We encourage you to print out the lessons.
There is also a Gallery in each class. Here the teacher can show additional examples for the class and students can send pictures of their work in progress. Complete instructions for sending graphics are available in EACH class, below the teacher's signature on the Welcome page.
The teacher's email address and Web address are available in each classroom.
The third part of your class is the message area called the Discussion Forum. You can ask questions and interact with both students and the teacher. The bulletin board format means you can read and answer messages without worrying about time zones or about missing any messages. All messages post instantly. Messages on the same subject will be threaded together so that you can follow the progression of a conversation.
You are able to post to the Discussion Forum from ANY computer. So, for example, if you are on vacation and have taken the printed lesson with you, you can go to the local library and use their computer to ask a question. Later, you will be able to view the response.
It is not possible to print out the Discussion Forum since it is composed of many individual messages.
We suggest that when a class begins, you open a document in your word processing program. As you check the class
each day, have the open document on your task bar and cut and paste messages that you wish to save. This way, you have
saved things as you read them the first time and do not have to go back through the forum later, looking for messages
you may have missed.
When class is over, you can rearrange topics or edit as you wish before printing the document out to go with your
lessons.
Teachers are required to check their forum once a day, but many check more often. Although teachers all provide their personal email addresses, we prefer that you ask your questions in the Discussion Forum so that all may benefit. But if you have an urgent question, you may email the instructor.
At Quilt University, the teacher is the leader. She will show you what she knows and help to guide you over the rough spots. The full benefit of the class will come with your participation. Every person brings special knowledge and talent to each class. Sharing this with others enriches us all. We hope you take full advantage of this aspect of classes at Quilt U.