Mission
CommuniTeach is a game-changer. We honor the desire for individuals to share in their passion for learning and teaching, and provide a fun and straight-forward platform for them to connect. We believe in free learning and in its power to positively transform the way that people interact. We challenge the idea that money must be exchanged for knowledge and that learning must be a formal experience. We promote open education, community and neighborhood building, and the idea that everyone has something valuable to share. We honor the learning experience and realize that it can be a dynamic social activity. By connecting people this way, individuals become more integrated into their community, and in turn the world becomes a better place to live.
Spread Free Learning! Are you passionate about the mission of CommuniTeach? Do you want to bring CommuniTeach to your city and revitalize your neighborhood? You can
register, email
this link, and apply
here to become a CommuniTeach Ambassador.
Or maybe you have a question? Here are some common questions we get. If you have a question that's not on the list, feel free to email us at ct[at]communiteach[dot]com.
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General
What is CommuniTeach?
For every skill you want to learn, CommuniTeach.com finds neighbors who will teach it to you for free. You can teach and learn new skills in group classes called "LearnIts" or in private 1-on-1 sessions.
Why should I use CommuniTeach?
a. Your neighbors, even the ones you don't know, are filled with interesting skills and insights that they've been keeping secret for far too long.
b. How else would you really learn how to master Photoshop? (You've been putting off that class for a year.)
c. You may lose your best friend because they can't take hearing about Vonnegut for another minute. You have finally found your venue.
d. You have nothing better to do on over the weekend, next Tuesday, or even really right now. Why not learn?
e. It's the only failsafe way to know what your friends want to teach. Otherwise, you might demand that your friend teaches you the tin flute after hearing she was a tin flute master, only to learn that in fact she quit the tin flute years ago after becoming increasing jaded with how commercial the scene had become. Awkward!
What kind of things can people learn through CommuniTeach?
Anything people want to learn is fair game, so long as it's legal. People have taught workshops on web design, canning, how to make lovely duct tape laptop bags, social entrepreneurship, how to appreciate small things, salsa making, salsa dancing, and more! We even helped organize the day-long
Learnapalooza Chicago festival, which offered 70 free workshops on everything under the sun. We don’t discriminate – if you want to learn it, it’s worth knowing.
Because we have found that it's an amazing way to teach and learn. And you're neighbors! A special quality of connection is established when it's free, perhaps this type of system was around pre-Babylon, perhaps not. Either way, we like it! Every community is filled with people with amazing skills.
How do I get started?
All you have to do is sign up
here. You'll fill out a few bits of information, and wabam! You're part of the CommuniTeach network. From there you can fill your profile with the skills you want to teach and learn, and it’s time to start learning.
LearnIts are gatherings where the communiteacher(s) and communiteachee(s) get together in a coffee shop, library room, or other public space to learn a particular skill from each other. They are often interactive and always interesting. You can see how it works
here.
It’s super easy. Just log in, click CREATE A SOCIAL LEARNIT, and fill out the class topic, description, and location and date if those are already set. From there we’ll start spreading the word to our CommuniPeople. You don’t need to have a date or exact location in mind and you don’t even need to know how to teach the skill – all those details can be figured out once people start getting excited about your event!
What is a Match?
A Match is someone who can teach you something you want to learn or wants to learn something you can teach. CommuniTeachers can request to teach, learn, or both, with their Matches, in a 1-on-1 setting.
How do I arrange to meet 1-on-1 with a Match?
To meet 1-on-1 with a Match, log in, and then search for the skill you want to teach/learn or check out your Matches. Then click the skill button on the person's profile, and a form will come up to send your request.
Do I need to be the teacher to create a LearnIt?
Nope! Both teachers and learners can create LearnIts – we will help find teachers once you set the event up.
Can I charge for my LearnIts? I'm a really good teacher...
Sorry Charlie. There are lots of great sites – we’re partial to TeachStreet and BetterFly ourselves – that connect paid teachers with learners. We’re trying to do something a little different here, so all the LearnIts should be free. But you can learn zillions of skills for free in return!
Concerns
I want to learn, but I can't teach anything. What do I do?
Yes you can! You’d be surprised how many things people need to know but don’t. Take one of our founders. She’s pretty cool, reasonably attractive, does well on standardized tests, started the grecteach website of our time. But she can’t hook up a wireless router. She does not know how to change a tire. And she once screwed up the preparation of Kraft Easy Mac. I’m sure you could teach her alone approximately 304 things. Just take a minute, think about every single thing in your life that you are capable of doing and add them to your profile. And feel free to try out our quiz for more ideas!
Is all this safe?
We want to make your CommuniTeach experience as safe as possible, and to that end we recommend a variety of features and precautions. Always go to a public place for your meetings: a library, a coffee shop, a community center, etc. We are happy to recommend some spots - just email sarah@communiteach.com. Before you even get to that stage, make sure to read the reviews of the people you are going to meet with and message back and forth with them. If you don’t feel totally comfortable with the idea of meeting with someone, don’t do it. If you want to be extra cautious, you can start out by meeting with your friends and acquaintances in your networks. Lastly, always use the official LearnIt request so there is a record of whom you are meeting with and where you’ll be.
Why do you need my zip code? It’s very suspicious.
Your zip code helps us match you with skill sharers close to you. Not suspicious at all, we promise.
Arguments
Why can’t I just ask my friends to teach me things?
You can, and should. And in the meantime encourage them to join the site as a great way for them to share the things you want to know with others.
We also think our way is a little simpler, thanks to our lovely, informational, and aesthetically pleasing profiles, you know exactly what people would be happy to teach.
Additionally, we go beyond your friends. With CommuniTeach, you have an excuse to get to know your co-workers and neighbors better. Instead of asking for a cup of sugar, they see that your interested in learning about one of their favorite subjects... mMm knowledge and an experience.
Sign me up!
Most things are much easier to learn if taught in person. And meeting in person is more fun and more human: you get to connect with someone new in your community and get away from your computer for a change. You should get out more anyway. Share that beautiful face with the world.
Why not just pay to go to a class?
You can. But why would you? With CommuniTeach, you can save money and make friends while learning any skill your heart desires. And besides, check out some of the LearnIts happening right now – we dare you to find teachers of how to appreciate small things, sustainable living, salsa making, margarita mixing, vegetarian Indian cooking...the list of random skills goes on. As of Feb 2011, our CommuniTeach members can teach over 818 skills! (819, to be exact) And we’re just getting started!
And, again, it’s FREE. That leaves you with more money to buy presents and gerbils for your family and friends...or for the communiteach founders. We like presents, too.
Why do you have a whole FAQ section dedicated to arguments? Isn't that unusual?
*Shrugs* Sorry about that. One of the CommuniFounders was a debater in high school.
