Reply To: Trying … constructive critics on tutorials

[Paul Caggegi]

Hi Marc! As one of the instructors here at CG Cookie, I take suggestions on board so that I can improve how I can better deliver content. Every instructor has their own style and we strive to allow some individuality in each of our teaching methods, but at the same time, try and create an experience which makes us a unique and respected voice in the Blender education space.

Your feedback is valid, and these are points which do come up often, so they are worth addressing. If you’ll permit me to comment on a few of them here?

Don’t hide mistakes

Perhaps in a live-stream, or a more casual presentation where a customer or student is not paying for the service some mistakes are permissible, but it really does damage the credibility of the instructor if they show a lack of awareness of where the pitfalls are. If I am selling a course or a product, I want it to be as clear and correct as possible. In the process of creating our course, we talk to the other instructors, as well as Instructor Assistants (such as Adrian above), and if something is overlooked or can be done better, they will often suggest this and we correct it. That said, if there is a method or technique which has an obvious caveat, we do try to highlight that!

Explain what you’re doing and why you’re doing it that way.

Some techniques have many uses, this is true. We cannot predict who will be coming to any given course. Some students might be beginners; some might be pros wanting to freshen up a skill. What is explained is often approached from a technical standpoint. How you use that technique is so subjective, and discovery is sometimes part of the fun.

Use proper terminology.

Vertex/Vertice can be as fraught with debate as Gif vs Jif. We will strive to correct and use better terminology, and have been pulled up on pronunciation on multiple occasions! The pronunciation of Passepartout is one such example we’ve had meetings about! We will try to do better.

Provide chapter jump points instead of arbitrary video chunks.

How work is presented is always an evolving process, and this is one idea that has been floated. I personally agree with this method of presenting some content. Others in the team may not, and ultimately a compromise gets reached. Please know it does get suggested!

Overall, there are some good suggestions here, and we are always striving to improve how we teach as much as finding subjects which are inspiring to teach.

Cheers,

Paul C