I've been teaching BaZi since 2006 and have since taught BaZi in all manner and form.

The big ass introduction to BaZi classes. 25 people would struggle to squeeze everything from the 10 Stems, 12 Branches, How to Plot a BaZi chart and Interactions into 6 hours. Intermediate classes with 15 people where I attempt to teach the and 10 Gods in 3 days. Been there done that. Don't like it and it does nothing for students.

I shifted to running my own smaller classes with caps on student numbers at 12. I spaced the classes out as much as I could although this was always challenging especially for overseas students (despite the fact that spaced out classes actually benefit students since they can actually process what they have learnt instead of frantically trying to write notes on something they don't understand). Finding a weekend or two weekends (in the case of a longer class on say the 10 Gods) was a challenge.

Then I hit on recording my classes and then editing them to produce a video class experience for the students who couldn't attend in person classes. Many students loved these classes, especially since they could re-watch the content over and over again. BUT, they also came with downsides - the inability to ask questions, the lack of interaction, and the absence of dynamic interaction, all which in my view, are critical for anyone to successfully learn a highly complex but intellectually stimulating subject like BaZi.

(and of course, if you lose the thumb drive that you are sent the videos on, that's it!)

Enter 2020 and the Pandemic. I switched to zoom classes and found that there was a sweet spot with a modest commitment of time from students of 2-3 hours, and weekly classes to explore a topic over a period of time. However, even with no more than 20 students, this is challenging because the size of the class makes it very difficult to truly personalize the experience. Students who are eager to push themselves might be reluctant to over exert themselves to avoid seeming like they are hogging all the time. Less certain students feel reluctant to ask questions (or their questions get drowned out in the deluge of the discussion).

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As a BaZi instructor, nothing to my mind, is more rewarding than having your students literally, go forth and fly like eagles. Where they start with trepidation at reading a chart and graduate on to what I imagine are consultations over dim sum. Where a chart that once intimidated them, suddenly becomes crystallized in their mind. They get it.

This is the kind of result I want to achieve with my students. And so I've decided to experiment in 2022 with the idea of a cohort based class.

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What is cohort based learning?

Wharton Online describes Cohort-Based Learning as "Cohort-based learning is a collaborative learning style in which a group of individuals advance through an educational program together. " This article explains the advantages of cohort-based learning vs self-paced learning.

Forbes also has an excellent article on cohort-based learning, by way of the perspective of the teacher, on why it is the 4th wave of the democratization of education via the internet.

Finally, Future.com offers good insights into what are the advantages of cohort based learning including: "Since MOOC content is pre-recorded, it’s one-directional, meaning there’s no opportunity to ask questions in real time. This hinders the format from teaching anything that requires more feedback, discussion, or hands-on practice. Thus, MOOCs are great for subjects that are primarily “knowledge transfer,” such as how to sort data in Excel or other such skills. But they’re not great for higher-order skills—those that require analysis, evaluation, synthesis, judgment, and creativity."

Essentially, it is what we as Asians will call - a tuition class.

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What happens in the BaZiQueen Cohort Class?

The class will only proceed if quorum is met. In this case, the quorum is 8 people. If the quorum number is not met within 3 weeks, you will be refunded in FULL.

For 6 weeks, the same individuals get together on a weekend, based on a pre-agreed schedule for a group based discussion of 3 hours.

Class size is limited to 8 people.

Each week, the cohort and myself as the instructor go through various BaZi charts and any specially requested topic. This is a pure Socratic method learning method and you are encouraged to ask any and all questions, but also participate in discussions about the charts that are provided for discussion.

During the week between sessions, there is a chat board on the Discord Server that you can use to post questions, or follow up on anything that was discussed, which will be answered by the instructor.

At the end of 6 weeks, the formal teaching ends but you would have a set of classmates whom you can continue on your BaZi journey with, anchored in the common expansion of knowledge and skill that you have achieved through your cohort.

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So there's no fixed syllabus?

That's the whole point of Cohort-based learning. After the cohort is formed, there will be brief 1 hour long onboarding session in which the topics to be covered will be discussed and students will indicate what are the areas or topics in which they feel they want to gain knowledge and practical experience on. These are pre-agreed and the instructor will then either prepare lecture material or a discussion-based session to help the students better understand the topic (ie: Useful God, favorable elements, specific nature of certain Day Masters - the sky is the limit).

What kind of student will benefit from a cohort-based class?

Extroverted students will benefit more from this class than an introverted student since it is intensely discussion based, and is designed to allow students to use questions to gain knowledge.
INTERMEDIATE level students who know the 10 Gods, know the 10 Stems and Branches, and Interactions WITHOUT NEEDING TO REFER TO A BOOK stand to benefit more from this class than a pure beginner.
Students who really want to learn how to read charts with efficacy and accuracy, and are prepared to invest the time into an intensive study path will find this class offers the best chance of exponentially improving their skillsets because it will have a high degree of customization to their interests.
Students who have aspirations to practice professionally (or at least collect some money) will also be the ideal candidates for this.

Questions? support@baziqueen.com

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