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ICYMI — Monday night’s ALAP Info session replay

michele ronsen

Did we miss you Monday?

Whew! Still feeling the rush from hosting Monday night’s Q&A with Ask Like A Pro alumni and some prospective students! Great questions were asked in the session (and a few more emailed later), so I thought I’d fill you in, too, if you didn’t get a chance to join us.

First I gave a quick overview, covering course basics along with some new enhancements for this cohort, like a special spotlight on data integrity, privacy and security and the new teaching assistant structure. Then the alums and I fielded questions about aaaalll the details — the $800 student stipend, payment plans, sponsored research projects, time commitments for different participation levels, how to leverage the experience in their case studies and resumes, how to schedule one-on-one time with me to see which participation level is the right fit, etc.

Catch the recorded session here.

For some finer course detail, check out the Fall cohort tools and learning portal overview video:

If you’re in participating as an Observer or going the On Demand route, you can save $150 with this discount code for observer bundle or on-demand bundle: ALAP-FA21-$150. This code is valid until September 18th!

And the answers to some follow-up questions I received offline:

Q: How does Ask Like A Pro approach the real-world research project?

The six workshops in the ALAP series build on each other and progress in the same way a research project unfolds in real life. (There is some overlap in the timeline; for example, logistics, ethics and note-taking are considered before interviews are conducted, but the step of creating the discussion guide is necessary to discover the issues to consider.)

Most importantly, we know of no other research learning opportunity that moves you through every single stage of the research project. (Others offer single, topic-specific classes, but not the full sequence.) We practice what we preach around here, and research with our students (and constant iteration!) led us to this comprehensive approach.

Q: What else makes Ask Like A Pro different from other online courses?

A: Our All-in and Observer experiences are next-generation online programs known as a Cohort-Based Course (CBC). Unlike earlier “go it alone” online courses, CBCs like ours create true communities for deeper, more meaningful learning experiences. You get an involved, accessible instructor (me!) and a cohort of students you know by name (and voice, and face, and personality) and can call on for support and to trade ideas. You become part of a team that counts on your contributions to complete a real-world, hands-on project. What sounds — and feels — a lot like a traditional grad school experience is what you’ll get as an All-in Student.

Q: What does the Cohort-Based Course approach mean for me?

  • A safe learning space: Our workshops are a safe space to learn, attempt solutions, make mistakes and recover — together. Participants are not competing with one another or for a “grade.” It’s a truly collaborative learning space, filled with engaged, invested fellow curious learners.

  • Mutual support: Whether it’s a course assignment, a real-world issue with a current job, a technical issue, or just a need for a little encouragement, Ask Like A Pro students can reach out to their cohort for support. We help each other and form tight bonds.

  • Better instruction: As an instructor, I LOOOOVE the live student questions and feedback during workshops, weekly check-ins, office hours, and via Slack. They allow me — and the cohort — chances to clarify and expand on important points that might go unanswered in a one-way format. Two-way conversation also allows us to respond in real-time. (And this saves us all more time in the end!)

  • Accountability: Live interactive workshops and set due dates mean you’re more likely to successfully complete the course. You’re showing up and doing the work for yourself, of course, but also for your cohort and the unique contributions they’ll come to expect from you. It truly helps everyone stay motivated and accountable.

  • Added perspective: Every Ask Like A Pro cohort brings together a unique mix of students, from varied places in the knowledge base for problem-solving, and additional points of view that enrich everyone’s learning. (I’m tickled pink that we will have students from Dubai, Warsaw, Bangkok, Amsterdam, New Delhi, Athens, and other geos in the Fall cohort!)

Alumni consistently tell us their cohort was (and still is!) part of the secret sauce that made Ask Like A Pro such a change agent in their professional lives. Working together through the course and their research projects helps alumni form real relationships and become some of the most useful members of one another’s networks.

Ready to grow your knowledge, your confidence, and your network? We’d love to have you join our community. Click here to learn more about Ask Like A Pro. And if you’re considering an Observer or On Demand bundle package, don’t forget to use our discount code before September 18: ALAP-FA21-$150

There’s still time to catch QRCA’s “Flex Your UX”

I was pumped to be a keynote speaker for QRCA's recent "Flex Your UX" qualitative research summit! The live summit was Friday, but there's still time to register for the recorded version. It's a full day of UX research learning, featuring speakers from across industries and roles — a great opportunity to get inspired and advance your UX skills. Register now for $25. It will be the best $25 you invest in your UXR career! Seriously, it was fantastic.

Speak up, get involved, share the love

And that’s a wrap!

We try to alternate between a theme and UX/UXR jobs, events, classes, articles, and other happenings every few weeks. What do you think? We're constantly iterating and would still love to hear your input.

Stay curious,
- Michele and the Curiosity Tank team

PS: Still have questions after watching the Q&A replay? Click here to set up a personal call or Zoom with me!