I haven't taken an official online class yet----I still haven't completed the free art classes I signed up for.
I cacn try to answer some of the questions though:
1. I haven't taken an online class mainly b/c I forget they are there....and since I forget I'm afraid I wouldn't get my monies worth (even though I know they are usually avaliable for life--but I have the forgetful thing again, lol).
2. I think this is the question I am interested in reading from others---b/c there are many techniques shown on youtube, etc (and I am meaning those who put a nice, clear, understandable video together--not the youtube videos that are out of focus, get interrupted multiple times) that I wonder what the difference is between online classes and those well put-together classes on youtube etc.
3. I do like that the idea of an online class being right there at your fingertips to watch and learn again and again---see in-action how to do a technique---but you can get this from youtube and other video services, thus not sure if this reason really counts in this discussion.
4. I have yet to see any classes locally for anything paper related.
5. N/A yet at least
6. This is another one I am interested in the information shared...I have wondered if internet troubles ever interfers with the class (though I know you can go back later) or if you can download the class to your computer to avoid streaming all together....
I am glad that those of you have shared free classes online so I can try this format out and I have watched one so far and enjoyed it, but I still need to see the differences b/w craftsy and youtube/vimeo.