Certainly, Thicket is not the first online platform aiming to increase access to education. Over the past decade, online education platforms have published millions of hours of pre-recorded lessons, sometimes called “MOOCs” (Massive Open Online Courses), offerings users easy access to new skills and credentials.
 
But what about those of us who want to learn for fun? Book club regulars, museum goers, and history enthusiasts more interested in stimulation than skills? This sort of learning requires more than easily digestible content. It requires deep conversations, surprising discoveries, differing perspectives.

It requires live interaction with real experts and fellow learners.  

We built Thicket so that recreational learners can study with passionate experts in an approachable setting. Learners can explore whatever topics they find interesting, without worrying about grades or the commitment of semester-long university courses. Experts can design their dream courses, tailored towards curious learners, without the restraints of university curriculums. 
 

Thicket hosts expert-led live online classes in history, literature, art, philosophy, and other humanities subjects on an integrated learning platform. Teachers design courses according to their own interests and expertise, determine their own course fees, lesson schedule, and session length. Students can browse our course marketplace, review lesson plans, and enroll in whatever classes pique their interests.

Classes meet once per week, with a maximum of 15 students, via videoconference. Some sessions may consist of lectures followed by Q&A. Others may take the form of discussion-based reading groups. Regardless, participants will have plenty of opportunity to ask questions and share ideas, without any pressure to do so if they’d rather just sit back and listen. In between sessions, teachers and students can keep the discussion going on the class message board. 

Thicket is for any adult who enjoys learning. Maybe you’re a classic film buff, looking to discuss your interests with others. Or an avid reader who wants to read your favorite book with an expert in the genre. Perhaps you’re even considering graduate studies yourself and want to explore a field of study before you take the leap. Learners are not expected to have any prior knowledge and can explore whatever topics spark their curiosity. 

Admittedly, from marketing perspective, “Thicket” was not an obvious choice. For many, the word “thicket” invokes a sense of obscurity and confusion, a place difficult to navigate. But for education, especially in the humanities, we think it’s a useful metaphor. The humanities—history, literature, philosophy, art—require developing comfort with messiness, unexpected turns, getting lost in the weeds. Very rarely do we end up where we set out to go. But that's what makes it fun.

We’re just getting started, building our course offerings and putting the finishing touches on our learning platform. We plan to launch our first cohort of classes in the coming months.

In the meantime, we’d love to hear from you with feedback or suggestions for course topics or new features!