I’m looking for some feedback going to launch a new site soon offering online interactive martial arts training via web cam.

I am looking for a customer response would you or someone you know pay $20 a lesson (standard fee) to get online martial arts training from certified instructors.
Where you can earn real belts through online classes and 1 on 1 cam tests.

This is not download a video it is online conferencing with classes no more then 30 students to a instructor.

Let me know what you think I’m coding this site right now but always love feedback.

Of course their will be equipment and other me trials available for purchase.

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That is an interesting idea, GBG. Initially I thought no, but on further thought...

Many people might be embarassed about going to 'in the flesh' classes. I know lots of people are about going to the gym. In fact, that might be an idea also.

There will be logistics to work out, of course, like people having to set up a computer in a room for physical activity, ans also timing for interaction, etc.

I am not sure, I might be interested, but would go in for local classes over this if they are available. That's me, though.

I am not overly optimistic, but there are possibilities. I think having a strong ratio of instructors to students would be important, just so they could pay good attention to each individual.

Well standard dojo ratios are 30 to 1 anything less is a premium or a business in trouble.
Logistics of this I found appealing fo some in the city taking their children to classes can be a costly venture turning a 1 hour lesson into a 2 to 3 hour investment of time .

Also with a larger base the site can pay to have world experts speak and do instructions many people will fly around the world for a few hours of a masters time.

I was looking at it from a convince point a save time save money aspect and to bring opportunity to people who have no dojo anywhere near them there are many towns and small cities that have no opportunity to train.

Times are simple they are booked at signup mon at 6 wed at 8 classes are usually weekly IRL

Their will be a 2 way video conference so the instructor can see all of his students.

And for thoas who want 1 on 1 lessons they can get them at a premium.

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This is very interesting... But don't ask me because I thought Blockbuster Video Rentals was a dumb idea... HA HA HA. Then a few years later, misterscreenjeans went to work for them in the IT Dept... Double HA HA.


Oh well,

We are into Tae-Bo around here right now but I never thought of doing it online live with Billy... Hmmm, that could be very interesting. It has to be tried, no doubt, cuz you never know unless, unless someone beats you to it!

I would probably try it.

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Physical Sparring is a huge part of any martial arts discipline and progression therein, including testing for each successive level or belt. How do you propose bypassing that?

Ken

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I agree with Greeneagle about physical testing/sparring being a critical point of learning. Also, I'm trying to visualize equipment needed to make it work -- substantially bigger screens would be necessary in order to see clearly -- there is a big difference between an instructor a few feet away than the reduced size image available on a screen. Also, one expects an instructor to be perceptive to one's less-than-perfect moves, and to move in close to demonstrate a move.

It's true that a video is on a screen; however, one can replay a segment over and over in order to attempt duplication; whereas, a "live" webcam feed wouldn't have this ability.

Frankly, I don't think this will "sell;" but, I'm not in the market either. I don't have the physical capability and no longer have children whom I might haul around town.

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You're not going to try to claim you haven't kicked a monitor or two in your time, are you, Ken?

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Hmmm this is an interesting thread. I can see how beneficial it would be from a more urban family standpoint - save on travel to/from, plus you could monitor your child's progress (pun intended).

I share Ken's concern over how to test for which belt, though...

I could see this as a benefit in other arenas (more puns). Seniors who use WebTV - provide them with some kind of exercise program via the web they can do at home. They pick the time that's convenient for them.

In my little cottage with the uneven floorboards, even walking around my office makes things wobble (I'm referring to monitors, etc.). I would personally be afraid of breaking something if I got into kicking and punching.

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Physical Sparring is not as important as neglected aspects of martial arts that are ignored.

Well testing online already exists and is approved by the martial arts association currently you can buy instruction videos at around 20 to 40 a lesson buy your 20 lessons for a belt then pay a premium for a online test.

You do not actually need to hit something to learn.

Now one thing people over look is martial arts is 99% mental and 1% physical most dojo’s ignore the mental aspects and only cover the technical aspect with little philosophy this is why there are so many young black belts in the world today because they only had to memorize moves.

The instructor will have 2 way the student will only see a full screen of the instructor and a good instructor can easily spot any improper moves and voice correction and re-demonstrate and the class all learns just like in a dojo.

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the video quality will not be very good thru the webcam
and if you want online conferencing to be smooth, both you and your client need to have excellent internet connection
There can be big technical problem due to network congestion

Video compression has come a long way recently and continues to advance we are not talking about broadcast quality links but a decant quality that will suit it’s application.

I have conference with dial up users and still had fine connections.
Their will be always exceptions to the rules their always are in every business endeavor.

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