Online classes. Remote learning. Working from home.

These are all familiar terms these days as we all work to navigate the “new normal” for 2020.

More people than ever are spending substantially more time within the confines of their house or apartment. Whether they are parents at home with children, retired folks staying inside or at-home office employees… the dynamic has shifted.

Our lives have become more internet focused, computer centric and adapted to the online world:

• Children spend the day at home, learning on their computers.
• Numerous employees work from their home offices.
• Friends and family have learned the ins and outs of Zoom calls and Facetime.
• Online shopping is at an all time high

Unfortunately this year has also seen a number of men and women lose their source of income. With a spike in April of 14.7%, unemployment is the reality for millions of people in the United States. This means families are going hungry or struggling to pay rent, much less even consider the upcoming holidays.

The economic impact from Covid-19 is widespread, beyond the more obvious effects on personal income, the healthcare system and small businesses. Data by state shows that hardship is widespread.

To name only a few:

• Consumer spending fell 17% from February to April 2020.
• Industrial production dropped sharply in March, and has only partially recovered since.
• Small business revenue is down 20% since January.
• Chapter 11 bankruptcies have increased relative to last year.
• From 2018 to mid-2020, the rate of food insecurity doubled for households with children.
• More than one in five households was behind on rent in July.

Even with a potential vaccine on the horizon, many people are still struggling and looking for ways to get back on their feet. With stay-at-home advisories, increased restrictions and the winter approaching, more people are looking for a way to make a living or earn extra income from home.

There are numerous ways to legitimately make money from home:

• Blogging or vlogging
• Freelance writing
• Tutoring
• Selling items online
• Customer service call services and more

Now is also a perfect time to start teaching online – to take advantage of that increased online presence of, well, everyone from the comfort of your home. And it’s easier than you might have ever thought possible.

Do you have a talent or skill you could teach others? Perhaps you enjoy crafting or working on cars. Perhaps dancing or art is your passion. Are you an amazing public speaker and you want to teach others?

All of these AND MORE, can be easily taught online.

BWISE, a knowledge sharing app, is ready and waiting for you.

Men and women, across the country, are looking for opportunities to continue their training, improve their education, or they are searching for a safe and convenient way to learn a new skill or craft.

Online courses, such as those offered through BWISE, are a great way for people to take classes that are taught by instructors who are passionate and skilled in their chosen field. It is a great way for people to learn almost anything, from the convenience and safety of their own home. It is also a great way to earn a little extra during the holidays or to use to transition into a new, full-time career working from your own home.

From mechanics, to painting or yoga, to traditional education courses and more, BWISE is a sharing app to connect learners and teachers.

BWISE is the education platform of the future on which teachers and students will build profiles that showcase their talents and interests. It provides everyday users with the real-world experience and knowledge needed to solve everyday problems. Our teachers are able to transfer their knowledge to their students and capitalize on it at the same time. Teachers will be able to offer classes and set their rates and fees schedule and enter into contracts with individual students. Students will be able to browse, apply for, and attend offered courses which they will pay for and rate. Teachers and students act as independent contractors on this platform — the platform only acts as a hub to make these connections.

BWISE provides a structure for a free-market education system in which certified and non-certified instructors and teachers can offer their skills, knowledge, and abilities through a firsthand education experience.

BWISE gives those of us needing and wanting particular skills and experiences access to lessons and experiences with local experts. Teachers create, offer, and conduct classes with students willing to participate in the class and pay any class fee.

How does it work you ask? 

• Teachers, you create your class at BWISE.app
• Approve (or deny) applicants
• Message your students
• Your class is marketed on BWISE to your community
• Class begins, and you start sharing your knowledge!

Teachers offer classes based on competencies and passions, and learners choose classes or lessons that have interest to them. While video and other pre-class reference material may be part of a teachers program, the real intent of BWISE is to have one-on-one face time with the teachers in a face-to-face/workshop atmosphere.

Instructors create their own profile within BWISE, to help prospective students review their credentials and expertise. Teachers also have the ability to upload certificates, letters of recommendations, and portfolio pieces via the App. This not only helps fellow BWISE users learn about each other, it is also an integral part of the BWISE rating system. As students and teachers complete courses together there is a rating requirement for the classes, so students will effectively vet the teachers and teachers will vet the students.

The BWISE app is set up to facilitate all the communications between students and teachers. You can share documents, discussions, online information, videos and more.

Class duration and related costs are completely up to the individual instructors. Instructors set all parameters of their classes. An instructor who is passionate about a subject can choose to share it with the world, and the class could be free. A course could also require a fee in exchange for required materials and finished products.  Course length is also left up the instructors expertise – they know best how long it takes to master a subject. It could be a 5 minute class or a year-long course. There is no limit to what can be offered on BWISE.

Once the class is “full” with the number of students pre-determined by the instructor, the learning fun begins!