What are online classes like?

Question

Is it better to take a subject you're familiar with, or does it not matter? My mom took an online algebra class and struggled with it since she had to teach herself everything. I'm thinking about taking Astronomy or English...any suggestions would help!

I'm taking the classes at a community college in my town, I'm not sure if that helps...

Answer 1

Assuming it's a reputable school, online courses can be a good way to fit classes into a busy schedule. As your mother's experience suggests, it's important to keep to a schedule and commit plenty of time to studying.

Typically what happens is that your school will have some sort of networking website. I'll assume it's BlackBoard [1], since they're the largest such service. The professor posts assignments, writes lectures, and/or hosts chat sessions and teleconferences on BlackBoard. You download the syllabus at the beginning of the course, then read the appropriate chapter(s) of your textbook(s) each week. You check BlackBoard periodically for assignments, and submit the assignments either by e-mail or on BlackBoard. A good professor will provide avenues for asking questions, or encourage students to form study groups. I had a class once where the teacher literally bailed midway through the course and left his student assistant in charge. We couldn't ask questions, so everybody got hosed when finals came around. But most professors teach online because they canuse and appreciate the technology, so it doesn't happen that often.

Some classes have videos, teleconferences, or PowerPoint lectures, and some are all books. The important thing is that you have to be proactive and keep up on the assignments. I've taken Intro to Philosophy, History of the Western World, Art Appreciation, and Calculus I, among others, through distance education, and I've done well in all of them because I'm a super-organized anal sort of person. You might want to start with a topic that you're comfortable with, just to see how online classes work for you.

So, to sum it all up in sixty words:
(1) Everybody works differently. If you need somebody to remind you about assignments and deadlines, distance ed might not be for you.
(2) A flexible schedule is not an excuse to slack. In fact, online courses probably take more time than "live" courses.
(3) The more resources you have to work with, like videos, CD-ROMs, and study groups, the better off you'll be.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Well I am taking some classes (Medical Technician) and I think part of it depends on the school and how familiar they are with Online classes. Also alot depends on your own ability and your own discipline. My wife is working on her Bachelors in Psychology online right now and her School has a VERY well developed curriculum that includes Videos and a very interactive forum. My program is not as good and so it is much harder. For your first course it might be good to see if your school has a "how to take online courses" course to take first (kind of a intro to online course many schools have them as a onecredit or no credit course that may take 4 to 8 weeks)

Answer 3

I just finished up an online english class and it was a breeze. You should probably stick to subjects that are easy to you though for online classes, since you dont have many opportunities to ask questions and get help. I've taken a couple of other online classes too and they were good as well. What I like is that you can do your school stuff anytime you have time. Good luck.

Answer 4

I'm actually enrolled in a Forensic Sci class that is a Distant Learning course. I actually LOVE the idea of this, living in Arkansas I can't really get a degree in that, however with distant learning courses I can. Plus it gives me more flexibility. Instead of having to finish work in class I can go home and do it with more resources, also I don't run the risk of losing my paper. The only con that comes to mind is that their are some technichal problems. But with time that can be fixed. All in all I enjoy it.

Answer 5

It really helps to know what you are doing. I have completed an Associate's and Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and am working toward a Master's, all online, but I do this on the heels of 15 years in the workforce. It is difficult to learn new concepts in this manner, but it is not impossible. As much as I've learned through experience, I continue to learn in an online environment. It can be done, you just have to be dedicated.

Good luck.

Answer 6

online classes are really simple since you know what you have to do and you can submit assignments at any time. Just make sure you put time into the class and e-mail your instructor if you have questions. I took 3 online classes for the first time this summer and I did very well.

Answer 7

English might not be so bad. But you know your strong & weak points when it comes to learning. Take something you somewhat feel like you are good at. If you struggle, just about any community college or university has free "tutoring".