Why Transparency Matters Right Now to Your School or Course

Education is, and should be, changing constantly. New technology isn’t the arbiter of this–it’s just made it painfully apparent.

There’s a huge variety of education models available these days (private vs. charter schools, flipped classrooms, MOOCs, free skill sites, etc.), all with different objectives, philosophies, and delivery methods. With such a variety, students have become customers. They’ll be able to shop around for what works for them.

This means that transparency is the key to promoting a successful educational model. It doesn’t matter if it’s kindergarten or remedial English for convicts. Education models  must reveal themselves for what they really are  so that students can find what will work for them.

Even if you’re education model has perfect pedagogy, you as an educator must market that pedagogy. Brian Clark, co-founder of the hugely successful Copyblogger.com, has long been preaching the need to build an audience before you can sell your product. Don’t forget that your teaching is a product, and your students are customers. Educators are not  exempt from the way good ideas–and good business–expands.

You need to build an audience that will be receptive to your educational model. You need to be transparent.

What is your delivery method? How do you assess? What will students do with the education they gain from your model?

There’s an audience for every model. If there isn’t, it’s time to change the model. Be transparent with good copy for your product, and you’ll know soon enough whether you need better marketing, or a better product.

You’ll know because your audience will tell you.