One obvious difference between grad school at a university and grad school for genealogists had escaped me till this morning. So far most of the genealogy education opportunities I’ve encountered don’t involve homework.

Sometimes a class will include practical exercises completed and evaluated during class time, but most classes, seminars, and webinars I’ve attended so far are lectures. While they’re usually packed with great information and illuminating case studies, it’s easy (for me, anyway) to say to myself, “Wow, I need to practice that,” but never quite get around to it.

I must admit it: I learn best when I have to apply the lessons I’ve been taught to an out-of-class assignment that has a deadline and that I know I will receive feedback on. In other words, I need homework!

Good to know as I put together my education plan.

So I either need to find opportunities that involve homework or (sigh) I need to discipline myself to create my own homework assignments. The only problem with the second plan is how to get feedback. Still working on that one….