Learning Objectives • Bonus • Course Design • Challenges • Safe space • Workload • Contributions • Venue • Satisfaction • Extra events • Teachers • Expectations • Value • Changes • Future • Final comments
Course Design
The planning of the course (lessons, extra lectures, workshops, your own time) was relevant to the stated contents of the course.
1: I do not agree at all / 10: I agree completely
Comments
Very good structure. The trainers always stuck to the plan and the participants were always on time. This was really good. On Friday Morning in deviation to the plan was not time to work on our own routine, but some additional topics. This makes preparing our presentation for Saturday difficult. I wished to have more time for that.
Course was really intensive which is mostly a good thing. One thing that I kind of missed was a little bit of more free time to hang out with people to get to know them and exchange ideas. There was one “free evening” for us male magicians and perhaps there could be one more free evening? Or it could be some kind of organiced, not too serious event where the main goal is just to talk and have fun.
But I think that could be enough, too much of free time is bad for people far away from home 😉
All of the lessons were on time and though I had expectations from my fellow magicians on the island which were not fulfilled (the extent of the prop making), the course still fulfilled what it stated to do the learning material was still learnt.
I had some difficulties to get up in the morning, so I had preferred if the lessons had started a little bit later. Otherwise, the planning was excellent.
It was almost too much. The impressions after the first few days were overwhelming. Having the practical part with prop-making on the third day was absolutely perfect for me.
Lessons, exercises, FIKA, moments of relaxation and exchange of ideas: all perfectly balanced to enjoy a fantastic week of magic.
The schedule is so relevant. The workshop is so packed with activities. Even free time is intended to chat and interchange ideas and knowledge. It is great there is time for documentation. All the lessons, extra lectures, shows, to watch our peers final work, everything adds to the course in general. I would want even more time. I feel one week is so few for so many thinks. Is an intense week and asking for more maybe is insane, but could be considered.
The course planning was exceptionally well-structured and highly relevant to the stated content. It’s worth noting that this was the first week in years where I didn’t watch a single minute of TV or streaming services – a testament to how engaging and immersive the program was.
The schedule was undeniably tight and full, but it was also incredibly fulfilling. The course structure followed a rhythm of lecture/fika/lecture/lunch/lecture/fika, which proved to be an excellent format. These short breaks between intense learning sessions provided just the right amount of time to process information, refresh, and prepare for the next segment. It was a perfect balance of “beef” (substantial content) and breathers.
What truly stood out was the sense of camaraderie that developed among participants. The atmosphere was so engaging that I found myself reluctant to spend any time alone in my room. Instead, I was eager to fully immerse myself in the Sigtuna group experience, savoring every minute of interaction and shared learning.
This comprehensive approach not only covered the stated course content but also fostered an environment of continuous learning and networking. The planning went beyond just delivering information – it created an experience that was both educational and socially enriching, making the most of every moment we had together.
Yes. I liked the intense schedule. A little hard to get proper sleep, but that was more due to the participants’ willingness to stay up late and talk magic, than the planning itself. But since it’s only a week, you can handle it. Maybe if the course had been one or a few days longer, a “morning of sleep” in the middle of the week could perhaps be good for “recharging the batteries”. But that’s just me as an evening person.
I didn’t always have the feeling that everything that was discussed built on each other in a meaningful way. I would have found it more useful to talk about what an effect is at the beginning, what the initial and final situation is, what the magic gesture is, what a phenomenon is and what the presentation, the inner and outer reality is (Ascanio). I missed clearly defining the terms here, because later it sometimes got mixed up. Sometimes I would have found it useful to see and analyze good examples in a video recording, for example.
On the other hand, I really enjoyed the acting elements, as I had the feeling that a more open approach made sense here.
I also really liked the time planned for taking notes.
It was a perfect balance of social, educational, extra curricular, and alone time. I didn’t feel like I was rushing to complete anything. I didn’t feel like things had to be cut short. My only with is that this course was at least two weeks.
The very first day of the course I had hard time getting to know people and creating friends because I was worried of asking and forgetting names….. maybe having a name badge would be a nice step in breaking the barrier… and even the badges could be colorful i.e. red badge A course, blue badge B course so that we would be able to recognize who is in which group…. but it also worked out without the badges, it is just an idea with its pros and cons. – I have to say that I was kind of disappointed with prop making workshop, … 1) i did not find making things from glue gun any useful, creating a coin of questionable look and quality when you can buy them online on aliexpress… though I know some friends were happy with the workshop….. 2) I thought we were supposed to bring our own material to the workshop (as stated in the instructions for the course) like invisible thread, magnets, card gimmicks etc. and work with that in the workshop. 3) I made just the “glue gun” amulet, I did not made the devil’s card nor old looking envelope, I just refused, I gave up as I was tired and bored from the dirty glue gun stuff…. I am not saying it was not creative or worth at all, I just felt like a kid at school art class…. so instead I spent last hour or two working on my own things, cutting cards, paper, building a trick there in the class BUT I wanted to say that it would be nice to have this prop making class OPTIONAL in terms of EITHER working on the glue gun, envelope etc., OR building things from home of some sort.
This course was well designed and executed. The time frames were reasonable, the breaks were effective and allowed mental and physical relaxation after the intense class session. The schedule was designed with a measure of precision and yet still had the flexibility to adjust as needed. The instructional staff did an excellent job of executing the schedule and maintaining its boundaries.
I was a heavy schedule and as a guy I hade one free evening. That was needed, since I was exhausted 🙂
I love the extra “courses”. I loved the pyrotechnics, Jim Steinmeyer and showcase nights the best!
I’m sorry, but I think that the prop making class was waste of time. My daughter has done similar things in daycare. If the budget doesn’t allow for better tools to practice making props, a theory lecture would have been more beneficial. Another idea I discussed with others during the course: having a tailor/seamstress as a teacher. They could teach how to sew secret pockets or at least explain different fabrics and their properties. Additionally, we could all learn to use a sewing machine. This would be extremely beneficial for everyone, as I believe that 90 percent of magicians have taped things to their performance outfits because even the simplest sewing tasks seem impossible, even though they are actually quite easy. This would be especially helpful considering female magicians, who face much greater challenges with clothing in the daily life of a magician, given that our field is quite male-dominated.
Personally I would have needed a bit more time for the own performance
The course delivered everything it promised. The additional evening lectures were relevant and interesting, and have given me a lot to think about.
Yes. Although, I must say I would enjoy having more time dedicated to working with one’s own material. Perhaps as a part of Documentation. At least I did not use that time for what it was allocated to, and I think that goes for many attendees. If the teachers would stay with the group of the last lesson, as you’re reflecting on it after the lesson, then we could ask the teacher to deepen understanding and to consult them to implement it to one’s own work. Having the teacher leading that time called Documentation would be of interest to me.
It was indeed relevant.
Yes, all the topics were relevant. I think it was a very good mix between Tom and Leif lectures. Regarding the setup: you can last about 90 min with focus, then a break is needed. It is excellent with the time at the end of the day to recap, work on your notes or just continue with the discussions that sparked during the previous sessions. I do appreciate the extra activities after dinner as well. All in all, I think it is a very balanced combination. The breaks also serves a very important purpose of debriefing, chatting, sharing, and learning from each other. It is not just a “break”.
Yes, there was enough time for everything.
On the first day, I felt a bit like we were left on our own. But the other days were well organized and full with great material.
Everything was cleat from the beginning. Timetable was perfect. Enough time for studying, fika, eating and chatting with others. I dont have any idea what to make better. It all feels already so good.
One point deducted for the “Evening with Jim Steinmeyer”. That was a waste of time.