Thursday, April 07, 2016
ETC Launches Online Training Portal
Stage Directions: ETC launched LearningStage, an online structured training course, offering low-cost, guided courses to help users master ETC gear. Current offerings include introductory courses for the Eos and Cobalt families and a level two course for Eos. The new platform is intended to supplement—not replace—ETC’s existing in-person education options.
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I think this is an interesting solution regarding training on light boards, especially coming from ETC, since they are so keen so sending in person trainers to train technicians on the tech, or asking new users to attend training sessions in one of their locations. It says in the article that they intend for these courses to supplement, not replace the existing training, and I would vouch for this even without having seen the coursework. Since you don't necessarily need a physical console in front of you to do the courses, these are probably simple video tutorials and flash exercises. Light boards are significantly more complicated than a few videos can describe, and there is simply so much vocab and info to take in that I'm not sure I see these videos being incredibly significant. It's funny that the only other language the courses are available in is German, as European countries are typically big on Strand consoles as opposed to ETC, but I suppose you want to be as open to as many people as you can. I do think it is a venerable goal to have training for all situations that could rise up, but so many of the issues you have in lighting are just so random and stupid that it's hard to imagine a course being comprehensive enough to touch on all of the stupid little things that can go wrong.
I’m curious as to what $15 gets you that you can’t already find on ETC’s YouTube channel. They even have two series of videos, Level 1 and Level 2. Also, they have videos for not just the Eos, but the Ion and Element as well. I’m sure the content is different, though. The YouTube videos weren’t filmed with Software v2.3, so that changes things. Even if a lot of this information is available on YouTube or any of the very well-written console manuals, ETC has given the community another tool by which to learn their products. ETC has always excelled in terms of their customer service. There’s certainly not this much support from MA Lighting or High End Systems. However, that’s probably because ETC consoles appeal to a wider and sometimes less-proficient audience. Many schools, churches and other smaller organizations use ETC consoles for their ease of use and low price point. Things like a $15 training course might be very helpful for those types of customers.
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