Skillshare Provides Education for the People, by the People
American higher education is an unwieldy institution. An undergraduate degree takes 4 years to obtain, costs tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars that leave many with piles of debt and includes countless classes with no evident practical application outside of cocktail party banter.
Skillshare is trying to change this and establish a different educational model. They describe themselves as “a community marketplace to learn anything from anyone.” They allow anyone to take or make classes they want.
If you’re taking a class, there are numerous, practical professional and recreational subjects–from iPhone app building to Photoshop tutorials to making great French Toast. Prices vary from $10 to a few hundred depending on subject matter and whether they are multi-course or one-offs. Teacher endorsements are featured so you can get an idea of a teacher’s reputation.
If you want to teach a course, you simply sign up on their site. You determine the subject, curriculum, classroom…basically everything. You also determine the price; you pocket all the money less a 15% cut for Skillshare (and no, teaching certificates are not required). Skillshare provides ample support for your class, including a list of possible spaces.
While Skillshare might not slay the traditional educational dragon just yet, they do offer a compelling and affordable alternative. Countless college grads are finding themselves buried in debt, jobless and lacking the specialized skills many employers are looking for. What if you could get the education you want, and only that?
Skillshare also offers an informal and inexpensive way to pick up an extra skill as well as providing an opportunity to leverage your skills to make extra money.