Updating an existing class keeps your content fresh and relevant for students — and it doesn’t always mean a full re-shoot. Here are our guidelines for when and how to make updates.
In this article:
When to Consider an Update
You can update a class anytime after publishing — and even small updates can make a big difference for your students. Consider updating your class if:
- The tool or software you teach has changed. Outdated UIs or missing features can feel confusing, while highlighting new updates helps students feel confident they’re learning the latest. Skillshare occasionally audits classes in selected topic areas to ensure the content is relevant and up-to-date.
- Your class is especially popular. This is a great chance to revisit it with fresh eyes. Maybe your teaching style has evolved, or you’ve discovered new ways to explain a concept. Sharing those improvements can make the class even more valuable for both new and returning students.
How to Update Your Class
You can approach updating your class by revising the content, the merchandising (student-facing details), or both.
Revise Class Content
First, take a few minutes to review the class from the perspective of a student. Ask yourself:
- Are the lessons, class description, and project still aligned with what you’re trying to teach?
- If you’re teaching a software class, do the demos and attached resources you’ve included still make sense and are relevant for a student using a current version of that software?
- Are there patterns in recent reviews that suggest something needs updating?
If everything holds up and the content is still relevant — great! Here’s what we recommend:
- At minimum, we recommend adding a short note about relevance to your class description. Example: “This class was filmed in DATE, but the features we use haven’t changed — it’s still fully relevant for learning the basics of TOPIC.” Add any other details you feel are important.
- If you want to go the extra mile, adding a short lesson that articulates the same would be helpful — right after the intro is a good place!
However, if the content is out of date and no longer serving or hindering the goals of the class, we recommend updating key lessons if any key tools, layouts, or steps have changed. You may not need a full re-shoot — small adjustments may be enough to keep your class current.
Revise Class Merchandising
Don’t forget the details students see before they even hit play. Sometimes a small refresh can make a big difference.
- Class Cover Image: Sometimes a fresh new look might be a better match for your current brand or style.
- Class Description: Adding a note about when the class was filmed, why it’s still relevant, and/or what you updated — all of these details are relevant to a potential student.
- Project: Refreshing your class project is a great way to spark engagement — even a few small tweaks can make it feel new again, or encourage more participation.
Not sure how to edit a class you’ve already published? We’ve got instructions here.
Promoting an Updated Class
Updating a class won’t automatically notify your followers like a new class will — you’ll need to spread the word yourself. You can:
- Post an update in your class’s Discussions tab so enrolled students are looped in about any changes.
- You might also consider sending an announcement to your followers to let them know about the update.
- Additionally, share on social media or your newsletter if you want to reach a wider audience.
Examples
Want to know how other teachers tackle a class update? See a few examples below. Each of these teachers also outlined (and promoted!) their updates in a detailed discussion post.
- Maggie Stara completely overhauled her class Social Media Content Creation in Canva: From Beginner to Advanced, updating nearly every video with new exercises, AI tools, and advanced design techniques — giving students a true beginner-to-advanced learning path. Link to her discussion post.
- Alvin Wan revamped Coding 101: Python for Beginners with sharper production quality and additional exercises for in-class practice. Link to his discussion post.
- Evgeniya Righini-Brand released a brand-new edition of Source & Mix Digital Collages from Vintage Illustrations in Adobe Photoshop, featuring new image sourcing resources, step-by-step demos, and a full process walkthrough to show students how she builds a collage from scratch. Link to her announcement.
Alternatively, it might be more effective to just keep your class up-to-date as you go. Vako Shvili updates the lessons in his class Complete Web Design from Figma to Webflow whenever software updates are released. He shares when the class was last updated at the top of the class description and encourages students to flag any discrepancies in the Discussions tab.