LERN recommends that programs offer about 30% new classes each term. This helps retain customers, maintain interest in your program, and provides a testing ground for new ideas that may become real winners for you. At 30%, the risk is low if new programs don’t do well, so the payoff is worth the risk for trying something new. Below are some ideas that may have some traction in many communities.
Here are eight of our favorites:
- Up with the People Day Camp: This is a one-week global, musical performance arts summer day camp designed to bring children together to inspire and impact their communities through music and performance. Offered by Shenandoah County Parks and Recreation.
- What is the Right Thing to Do? Do the wealthy owe something to the poor? Is war ever morally justified? Should colleges use race as a factor in admissions decisions? We are confronted by ethical questions like these every day, and many of us are not prepared to respond knowledgeably. This is a non-credit course for 9-12 graders provides an in-depth look at philosophical assumptions and human values. Offered through the University of Rochester’s pre-college programs.
- Introduction to foil fencing at the Tyler Junior College School of Continuing Studies: Who hasn’t wanted to suit up and grab a foil? Fencing is the perfect combination of physical activity, history and quick thinking.
- Seasonal Bingo: A great family activity at your local part or nature area. Families are given bingo activity cards and as they walk through the parks, they see how many of the objects listed on the card they can identify. Offered by the Chicago Botanical Garden.
- Is beekeeping for me? at the Century College department of Continuing Education and Customized Training: Artisanal products are back in a big way, and any class that can teach students how to better enjoy the process is a great idea. This class combines science, local laws and more to give students an in-depth introduction to an increasingly popular hobby.
- Hollywood and the woman’s picture, 1940-1980 at the SMU department of Continuing and Professional Education: Gender issues are still a common topic of discussion today, but going back in time to take a look the ways movies negotiated gender issues is a new and illuminating way to look at the subject. A class centered around such a topic is sure to promote lively discussion.
- Ukuleleat the Tacoma Community College department of Continuing Education: Not only will students of this class learn to play a unique and exotic instrument, they’ll learn to play Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd on it, too. The course description also points out that no musical experience is necessary to enjoy and do well in the class.
- Photography: iPhoneography and mobile device photography at the University of Texas at Austin’s Informal Classes program: Today, most people carry a camera wherever they go but not everyone knows exactly how to get the best pictures from their device. This class takes something we’re all already doing and shows us how to get better results.