What's it like to take online college classes?
You or someone you know may currently be considering taking online college classes. There are many different programs and each one has a multitude of details. Nonetheless, online college classes share a number of unifying characteristics. Although content may be similar to regular college classes, online college classes are different in many ways. Online colleges allow you to work more independently and on your own schedule, but require a great deal of self-motivation and technical considerations.
The most common answer when online college graduates are asked 'What's it like to take online college classes?' is that it is easy, but dangerous to fall behind. Unlike a regular class where you have a scheduled time to attend class, hold discussions, or meet with a teaching assistant online college classes are largely self-directed. Deadlines are imposed on practically all requirements, but when you spend time reading the material or posting on discussion boards is up to you. While this structure allows many persons the independence and flexibility they need to pursue a college degree, it can hurt those without a strong work ethic. Taking online classes allows you to learn at your own schedule, but it is essential to set a schedule and stick to it. When taking an online courses students say it is easier to be passive or procrastinate, but the results are often much worse than in a regular college class.
Because you learn online and not in a classroom with online courses the method in which you gather and share information is very different. Reading is a huge component of most all online college courses. You will most likely learn the expectations of a class by reading a posted syllabus – and assignment due dates will be posted in that same file or with the assignment itself. Replacing a teacher's lecture will often be links to documents or websites that will contain the information you need to know for the class. Oftentimes, students will be asked to purchase a textbook for the course and readings will come from here. Because there can be no in-person class discussions, teachers often require students to post regularly on discussion boards. In discussions, students are often required to both post their own thoughts and respond to the topics of classmates. Many students in online classes often report the level of engagement and discussion was much higher than in a regular college classroom setting as everyone is expected to participate!
The manner in which students turn in assignments, communicate with a professor and take final examinations are further determinants of how it feels to take online college classes. Students are often given deadlines in which to email a document to a professor, or place it in an online drop-box. Because the internet can record every time something is submitted students need to be on top of their work! Communication with professors is often done through email – and as a result, students enrolled in online courses must have patience when waiting for the answer to one or more of their questions. Finally, online college classes have differing policies as to whether on-campus attendance is ever required. Some courses will only administer a final exam in person, others have online programs to administer online timed tests, and still others assign final projects which can be emailed in as a final assessment. The on-campus attendance policy can greatly affect the structure of an online class and who can enroll in one.
