Email Survey

I almost have one lesson completely planned out. I am just trying to decide what to include in each lesson or unit.

My thought was to include:

• video tutorial
• instructional ppt
• basic instructions document (for students)
• lesson plan with Standards run down
• grade sheet and needed files folder

I think that this would be a good place to start. I could always add more if needed. I want to keep things very simple. And I don't want to have to change it from the way that I use it to the way that it will be set up when I sell it.

I am a little stuck on what standards to use. There are National art standards, but are these the ones that people use?  I know that Kansas has their own set of standards. If people use their state's visual art standards instead...I could never align my lessons with every state! 

So I am thinking that I will email other art teachers and perhaps principals to see what they align to or what they would like lessons to be aligned to. And perhaps some other questions, too. I just need to figure out how to set up the email so that people will, first open the email and read it, then respond to it. Do I send them to a survey service, or would they be more likely to respond to my email if I ask the questions right in the body of the email?

Perhaps I could do both...do a couple test groups... That could be good, maybe 10 of each to start, and do the top 20 schools listed in the Kansas Schools Directory. I like it. 

Now, what questions to ask, and how to set up the email:

Subject Line: Digital Art Video Tutorials and Lesson Plans

As an educator that values art in schools, I am wondering if you would take a minute to answer a couple questions. I am an Art Teacher who is trying to find an easier and more effective way to teach my students digital arts (both Graphic Design and Photography).

This year I am testing the "Flipped Classroom" technique. Requiring my students to watch instructional videos that I prepared for them instead of the traditional teaching method; standing at the front of the room demonstrating. This allows them to work at their own pace and allows me to answer specific questions for those who are struggling and engage more with individual students.

I have found that I love this method of teaching. So, I am reaching out to see if other art teachers might benefit from a set of digital arts lesson plans with video tutorials which would allow any teacher to facilitate these classes (including Photoshop and Illustrator).

I have prepared a short survey and would appreciate it if you could take a minute to answer my questions. Your responses will help me understand what needs to be included in my lesson plans as I move forward.

1. Does your school currently teach any digital art classes? (Graphic Design or Photography)
2. If not, would you consider adding a Digital Art class to your schedule if you had a set of easy to follow lesson plans and video tutorials at your disposal?
3. What standards are your visual arts teachers supposed to follow? (Example: Kansas or National  Standards)
4. What would you expect to be included in a lesson plan packet containing digital art training?

Thank you for participating,

Chelsea Lewis

Art Instructor

I think that ought to be good. Now I just need to send it out and see what happens!

What to do...

I'm trying to figure out what to do for my business. I'm listening to the brilliant business moms podcast (episode 68) again and there is so much information packed into the half hour or hour of the podcast that it is a little difficult to make time to process. I feel like there is so much that I want to do with this new business idea, but I never have the time to really think about whether or not these ideas will be beneficial for my business.

Right now I'm really just trying to build content. I'm trying to make video tutorials as my students are going through them. This helps me to see how they need to be improved before I put them on the market for profit. For the most part my tutorials are doing very well. My feedback from the students is quite positive. They really like these tutorials and they really like that they can work at their own pace. Which is going to be part of my sales pitch. 

I am just not sure if it is beneficial for me to be working on a blog or Pinterest or Facebook or setting up the website until I actually have a product. But I do like to think about the different things that I want to do. I'm just afraid that I won't have the time to develop all the little nuances of owning an online business.

The nice thing about this new business idea that I have is that I am actually using my product right now with my high school students. I'm scared to try yet another online business venture since all my previous ones have ended poorly. But...if I don't try it then I'll never know. 

I need to set goals for this business but also for my life, at least this season of my life, to help me organize my time; to help me decide what's important enough to throw my energy into and what I can eliminate from my day. I have goals that I set for the year already and I'm not doing too bad with them. I've already read a book, I have been flossing almost every day, Brian and I met with a young couple last week (we want to do that every month), and I even met a goal for my business to record a video. 

I wonder if I ought to set more goals for my business. I guess for now I can't do much more than build content. Perhaps my first goal ought to be to have a class completely set up. And what content I plan to provide. Maybe it should just be the sample lesson plan that I plan to give away. 

Reevaluate

So, it has been for ever since I have blogged here. The day after my last post, I went into labor. The list to say, I have not worked on anything for business since then. It really wasn't in the Etsy business in the end. 

I remember this amazing sense of freedom when I decided not to pursue the digital card making venture anymore. I keep mulling over the idea of starting a tutorial days digital art website. I feel like it would be a good idea, but I thought that way about all my previous failed businesses as well.

Sigh, you know what they say about Thomas Edison. If I don't try it, I may always wonder if I could've been successful. 

I hear all these podcasts about women and moms who make enough to get by. And they're happy. And I guess that I would be okay with that as well, but truth be told I want to make enough to be comfortable. It makes me feel vain to say that. If I'm going to spend the time on it, I wanted to be lucrative.

Perhaps my perspective is skewed. Maybe I need to be okay with knowing that my business won't ever be a real moneymaker. Then again, I don't really know what I consider to be successful. 1000 a month? 2000 a month? Three?

I'm reading the book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Steven Covey right now and it's really making me think. About the person that I am and the person that I want to be. I want to be more proactive, to put myself out there more. Will this business in line with the person that I want to be?

I don't know, I just don't know. Well, maybe I have to define who I really want to be before I decide if starting this business is going to help or hurt my self image.  

Hopefully as I read I will blog mine. I do want to be "highly effective person". and I think that I want to start this business. I want to help Brian provide; I just don't want it take over my life. I may be asking too much: I want it to be successful, but I also don't want to spend that much time on the business.

I know that all these questions will take time to answer. I just hope that I am diligent enough to take the time to find answers.