When I first began teaching through the Internet in 1999, we referred to our mode of delivery as distance education or distance learning. That is because our students were not on campus; they were at home, in another community, or even sometimes in another state. In those days we taught as though we were in a classroom with recorded audio lectures, reading materials, tests and quizzes, all supported by a textbook. Today Remote Education relies upon Zoom and Textbooks. That sort of learning is passive. Think of the student who always sits in the back of the classroom for attendance and then crams for tomorrow’s quiz.  

Online learning is an improvement in distance education. The students must be fully present and active in the process of their learning. Online Learning takes advantage of and interacts with learning resources available through the Internet or designed by the teacher. More on these resources are answered below.  

I have been a university professor of photography and art history for over 30 years. In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate students seeking a degree, I thoroughly enjoyed leading extension courses or continuing education for adult learners looking to study a subject of interest more than college credit. Because I am a traveler, I have led on-location photography workshops and art history tours, such as to Paris, Machu Picchu, and the American Southwest. The courses of WanderSight are much like those continuing education courses and tours. Given my background and students, I teach at a level that goes beyond the mere survey of facts or what may be gleaned from a book. I want to provide you with an interactive opportunity to take a deep dive into the subjects of your interest using ways of delivery that no book can provide.

Both, actually. The videos I create for the courses are a combination of short voice-over narrated documentaries, on-camera presentations from some amazing locations (usually), and occasionally a live presentation. Recorded videos are occasionally interactive with the use of quiz questions during viewing, a hotspot link to an image gallery, a map, and other content that supports the theme of the video.  

A live presentation might be an interactive webinar through Zoom with members of the course. These are scheduled in advance and often discuss a topic chosen by the members of the WanderSight community. Live feed events are streamed from a location where I walk around a particular site such as a Buddhist pagoda in Cambodia or perhaps during an interview I conduct with an artist. Whenever I do something live there is a calendar on our website that will show you the dates and times.  

If you miss one of the live sessions these are always recorded and will be available within the course typically within 48 hours. 

I create social media-style platforms where students can interact and share information as well as photographs and videos. Included with your enrollment you have access to my Wander Thoughts blog where I post essays, video projects, podcasts, and commentaries about current events in travel, art, and global cultures.

Some of the courses are self-paced. While they are sequenced in a particular order, you can go through them as quickly or slowly as you wish. For courses that I teach that are travel based, we stay on topic together as a group for the designated amount of time I am at the scheduled location. 

A variety of learning materials are available to you. These include, but are not limited to, video and audio media; visual galleries; webinars; collaborative learning; and my lesson notes that discuss the content of each module. Unlike many online courses, I give you access to my personal online library, which I call The Well-Traveled Scholar. Here you will find hundreds of journal articles, research, books, and curated websites to continue your education.

Believe it or not people like quizzes and tests. Maybe not so much when they were at university, but they at least like to be challenged to some degree to see what it is that they've learned and what they can remember. At the end of each module or within a video, I create self-assessment questions. In longer courses, project-based learning is available for those who wish to demonstrate what they have learned by creating a media project such as a video, podcast, or single-page website. My university students find this approach to learning to be more effective than a term paper or quiz. I am also available for 1-to1 conversations with members of a course.

If you have technical issues related to the learning management system - New Zenler - you can send me information via the support tab on the course page. If I am unable to resolve the problem on my end, I can refer you to the appropriate support with Zenler Tech Support if necessary. While students are expected to understand the basics of online communication, the use of media platforms, and general knowledge of how to work around certain issues that may come up, it is also in my best interest to guide you through whatever difficulties you may have.

WanderSight courses are designed to provide a rich learning experience in personal global travel, the art and architecture of modern and ancient cultures, and studies of the underlying social, political and religious traditions that will stimulate your own desire to get (back) out into the world. I am not the only one in the market who presents courses that explore these interests.

When choosing an online course, beyond the presented content, consider the experience of the instructor/ presenter. Since 1999, I have been teaching online courses for my university in subjects that are well-suited to be taught by me being on location. “Live, from Bangkok!” Sure, it is interesting to learn about Machu Picchu in the Andes or Kathmandu in the Himalayas. I have always provided my students with a reason to learn and explore the subjects of my teaching.  As evidenced by my student comments above, you can read what they say about their learning experience.

The question I ask is, “Well, what will you do with what you learn?” That is a question that needs a response, especially for the arts, because the perception many people have about the arts and humanities is "what use are they?" Art, culture, and our deep appreciation is how we can motivate change across the planet.

 I guarantee you will be inspired.