not much content in the first week of the 2014 Geoff Lawton PDC - does it increase? YES!

Hi,

I've started the PDC and I am a little disappointed with the lack of content in the first week, it was an introduction. I'd already seen all the free videos because I'm on the mailing list. I'm a little nervous about the money I spent on this.

13 weeks of content many hours of video already released, a directly promised Q&A based on questions asked by (you) and other students each week, not one but 2 extra courses (earthworks and reading the landscape) offered free, a complete set of DVDs which include the teaching videos of the course and 6 other DVDs from Geoff and his incredible production team...

Perhaps if you were more specific about which part of that you found lacking in value I could help explain better? I'm sure any disappointment you feel can be addressed by the community and any nervousness about your investment dispelled.

I think that around 50 hours you'll be banging your head, wondering how you're going to keep up with all the content and if you'll be able to finish all the videos in time for the deadline. Plus there's all the Q/A that I found hard to get through because there was so much of it. You think it's all review, nothing to bother with, and then you're watching and he says something that sheds new light on a concept you thought you understood completely.

At least that's how I felt last year. And I also felt it was a little slow in the beginning, but I soon found it difficult to keep up with each week's content.

William

I felt the same way last year. Don't worry, it picks up speed quickly.

Remember, there was no preliminary "required reading" and the course must assume that there are students who need these introductory discussions either because they have picked up the wrong idea about an ethic or concept elsewhere or because they really are starting from square one.

I agree with the other replies. The first few weeks last year I found myself chomping at the bit waiting for the next week of content to be released. About 2/3 of the way through I was struggling to keep up as I was going back and viewing the Q&A from a few chapters back as they were released. Some of the Q&A forced me to re-watch the content it was covering as I had forgotten what they were referring to.

Rick LaJambe wrote:I agree with the other replies. The first few weeks last year I found myself chomping at the bit waiting for the next week of content to be released. About 2/3 of the way through I was struggling to keep up as I was going back and viewing the Q&A from a few chapters back as they were released. Some of the Q&A forced me to re-watch the content it was covering as I had forgotten what they were referring to.

Thanks, this and what RScott said is what I needed to hear. I appreciate all the other responses too, it has put my mind as ease.

Betty - I know you've already been reassured but I'll nod in vigorous agreement with what the above veterans have said. It'll pick up - use this time to get acquainted with other students on the Community tab. I found this to add a lot of additional value to the course on top of the tremendous value it already is!

Let us know your thoughts as you progress through. I know one of my biggest "ah ha" moments came during the 'Climate' session. As a drylander, I often run up against people using and advocating for inappropriate elements or methods (like raised beds - they're terrible for hot deserts!) The Climate section really brought home the differences in climate as well as different land profiles that can affect climate.

I agree that it gets intense (in a good way) for keeping up and making sure that you are taking in all of the information you want. Then when the answers to the questions start, there is a whole new level of things to take in. And since, there are often multiple question videos, adding often 2-3+ additional hours of content each week on top of the regular videos, you will not be lacking for things to learn. It is an exhilerating learning experience once it kicks into full gear.