Connecting Through Talk online course
Once I had decided to go down the certification path, I wanted to write an online course about NVC. I spent 6 months during the lock down from Jan-July 2021 writing the course. It was an intense experience but incredibly rewarding.
My intention was to provide a Foundation Training online in an asynrchronous (anywhere, anytime) mode of delivery. I chose an online platform called, OpenLearning.com, to host the course as the platform was designed around social learning. I wanted learners to discover NVC whenever it suited them. I wanted it to be accessible across time zones, cultures, countries etc.
I divided the course content into three mini courses:
Course 1 - INTRODUCTION was a taster in how to manage a difficult conversation;
Course 2 - THE INGREDIENTS introduces and practises the four components of the model: Observations, Feelings, Needs and Requests; and
Course 3 - BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER introduces and practises the three modes of self connection, honest self expression and empathic listening.
The courses initially attracted lots of students. I had 800 in the Introduction, however, most of the learners didn’t complete. Following some analysis, I discovered that I needed to better target my market. My market is typically middle aged and retired women from English speaking countries, mostly Australia. I began to charge a small fee to cover the cost of the use of the platform. For learners who complete, I have received lots of feedback, good reviews and some really interesting questions.
A screen shot of the combined learner survey on course structure.
Some testimonials from the INTRODUCTION survey of learners who completed.
I have presented the course to the Open Learning conference which showcases innovation and learning pedagogies. I presented on the principles of the teaching/learning cycle which underpins the courses, demonstrating how these were realised in course structure.
Adapting the Genre Approach to language teaching and learning online: a learner-centred pedagogy
I would like to see more people do the course but haven’t yet felt confident enough to market it overtly to the NVC community and beyond. I’m thinking of asking a couple of respected NVCers to review it before making it more broadly available. Nonetheless, I’m proud of my work and grateful for the help of key people who reviewed, edited, advised and supported me as I learned how to design and develop in the Opening Learning environment.
