Just had a look at the Ubuntu IRC class stuff, for example
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MeetingLogs/openweekgutsy/LP_ManageBugs here .

I still think the classes are a great idea, but after looking at Ubuntu's
IRC logs, I wonder whether there is a better medium for information to be
delivered apart from IRC first, and then use the IRC stuff as a follow-up.

Some of my concerns about using IRC as a starting point are;
* The information can be much better structured than IRC and helped with
graphics. The format is very hard on the eyes and hard to find where you are
if you lose your place.
* The volume of info able to be delivered well over IRC in one hour is very
limited and affected by variables like typing speed of the teacher,
interruptions, etc. It is also to a degree off the cuff, and so the quality
of the information is affected. Even if the material is pre-prepared to
enhance the quality, with IRC the teacher is left copying and pasting or
whatever.
* It's hard to communicate an idea, give the student time to work with it,
and then get feedback or field questions, given the time frame. Better to
deliver the major ideas beforehand in some other format, and be able to
refer back to diagram 3, or point 2 under the heading "How to ..."
* I guess a lot of this comes down to quality of communication, which for
foundational stuff is pretty important. IMHO, IRC or similar is better for
follow up of some pre-prepared stuff that can be an assumed pre-requisite.

Some other possible ways to communicate this information well;
* The wiki is capable of delivering well structured notes that can be a
spring board for later stuff
* Alternately we could have some other tutorial stuff in SVG or PDF format
available online, and then follow with IRC
* I love heathenx's videos - they have worked very well for some Inkscape
virgins I am trying to help. Video is a bit harder to make, and can be much
less useful for certain topics like coding, but can be very valuable in
other areas. If content delivery is a hassle, then at the least there is
YouTube.

Cheers,

Rygle
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