Chicago-After two years of only on-line teaching “Back to the Classroom with Adobe” has returned to our new Chicago location, says Adobe instructor Rob Shultz. The quintessence of teacher-student dialogue remains the same; for example, Adobe Certified Instructors have gone through extensive training and testing on the applications that they teach. In addition, instructors are trained and tested on working with students in learning technology. But some things have changed a little. To help you get the most of learning about Adobe, I am excited to interview a Certified Adobe Instructor Rob Shultz in the Windy City.
Do you have to have technology saavy to learn Adobe video editing and animation?
Rob Shultz:
A basic knowledge of the Windows or Mac operating system is all that you need.
Our classes assume that the students attending are starting out with the software and then adapt to the skill level of the student.
We also learn what kind of videos that the student wants to edit or animate and teach them the theoretical skills involved in story telling through video.
Can you teach prospective candidates that live outside the USA alongside your students in your Chicago classroom?
Rob Shultz:
Yes…I have taught online students from all over the world. The only challenge is with working with time-zones.
Technology is amazing. I’ve taught classes with students in Chicago, Bolivia, Florida and New Jersey all at the same time.
What has been some of your overall challenges on-line and in person in working as an Adobe Instructor?
Rob Shultz:
Online classes may be challenging because of internet connection or the student may not be set up with proper hardware for the software or multiple screens. With a little work these challenges can be overcome. It may well be worth overcoming the challenges in order for the student to work from their location. There are fewer challenges in person and it is easier to “read” the student to see if they’re grasping the material.
What is the benefit of in person training over online?
Rob Shultz.
Students retain 30% more of the material which is taught. There are better social and networking opportunities with being in the classroom.
The students get to enjoy the pleasure of my company. Many students come to Chicago for multiple days of training. Therefore they can experience Chicago while not in class. Many students insist on in person training because they feel more comfortable being in the room with an instructor.
What is the benefit of online training?
Rob Shultz:
Files can be transferred to the student through online services. Therefore the student doesn’t need to have material delivered to them.
Students can learn from their location. There is no need to pay for gas, parking or other expenses with online training.
Files can be transferred to the student through online services so the student doesn’t need to have material delivered to them through traditional mail.
What are the benefits of learning on-site?
Rob Shultz:
Students are less distracted and retain more knowledge when taught in the classroom.
Also, if I travel to a location to teach I can work with the hardware and files that the student needs specifically for their job.
What are some of the new changes with Adobe Training?
The world has changed since COVID as far as Adobe Training. There used to be many Adobe Certified Training Centers nationwide with classrooms. Some cities, like Chicago had several Adobe Certified Training Center classrooms. Many of pre COVID classrooms have closed.
During COVID companies tightened the belts and there was very little training available for employees. For obvious reasons, classroom training took a major hit.
Now that things are better on the COVID front training is slow but there are companies and students who recognize the value of in person training. I am fortunate to work with a company who has aggressively kept its classrooms open to accommodate both classroom and on-line students.
Over all, students who attend classes at an Adobe Certified Training Center and with an Adobe Certified Instructor are learning in an environment and material which meets Adobe’s high standards, an experience that cannot be duplicated with recorded videos available on the internet. There are many poor pre-recorded videos on the internet which do not explain the processes well. Also, when you have a specific question you can just ask the instructor instead of searching on the internet and hoping that who you contact will give you the correct answer.
Chicago skyline view from the 620 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois (photo: Rob Shultz)
Adobe Classroom (Photo: Rob Shultz)
