EXCO – A Free Community of Continuing Education
July, 22, 2010
EXCO, the Experimental College of the Twin Cities, now in its 3rd year, continues to offer classes for the members of the Twin Cities in a variety of subjects during this summer. Offering classes since 2008, EXCO, as its motto indicates, is an organization that sees itself as a community “where everyone can teach or take a class and all classes are FREE!” If you feel inspired to share your knowledge with the community and would like to teach a class, or attend a class to learn something new and different, EXCO (http://www.excotc.org) is worth visiting.
While some of the subjects may be somewhat different from the traditional college curriculum and there is no certification or accreditation involved, courses on subjects such as bicycle maintenance and health and wellness are actually one of EXCO’s strongest appeals. EXCO allows individuals to study more traditional subject such as French, through its French Friday Revival course, but also offers members the opportunity to study, free of change, a non-traditional subject and stimulate their mind in different ways.
EXCO can be a fantastic place for an advanced student to obtain some teaching experience. With some organization, a group of individuals could get together and co-facilitate a seminar. While classes must be approved, individuals can teach through a variety of teaching methods and are only limited by their imagination. The classes take place in various locations around St. Paul and Minneapolis. Instructions teach on a volunteer basis. EXCO awards instruction supply funds and some instructors are awarded need-based honorariums.
EXCO classes start primarily during September, February and June, but some classes accept students on a rolling basis. The website appears to be growing and hopefully it will continue to expand in the upcoming years.
The Minneapolis community would benefit from the growth of communities such as EXCO. While the city offers other possibilities for continuing education, EXCO is one of the few options available to individuals who do not have the financial means to attend a course at a community college.
With the current difficulties in the job market, maybe more individuals will find the time to visit EXCO and contribute by either learning or teaching to fellow community members. If you have the time in your hands, visit the website and perhaps you be swayed into attending a free yoga or zumba class for the rest of the summer. To find out more about EXCO, call 651-988-9268 or email rosenblum34@gmail.com
