Anyone taken an online course before? What's it like?

Answer 1

I have taken an online course. Although I received an A, I found that I missed the live interaction of a classroom setting. So I went back to traditional classes.

Answer 2

First you need a computer or a lot of access to one, having one for a few minutes at work during your break will not work.

You will be given an online address, a student Id and choose a password.

You will log on to the site and to your classroom. The lessons are all online, so in essense you are teaching yourself. There is an instructor who grades your work and is available for questions. The response is usually not immediate (There is not a 24/7 instructor available) Homework deadlines are usually very firm. You are not going to be able to go into the course the last days of the class and submit your work.

In some online classes your are responsible for having online discussions with other students as part of your grade.

The program logs you in and if you do not "attend" the school has the option of dropping you or putting you on academic probation.

Answer 3

I'm taking an online class right now, in addition to my other three traditional, because I figured it would be easier on me, something I could work on in my spare time and be flexible.

I was kind of both right and wrong. While the deadlines are not flexible, my time to work on it is. In most cases, if something is due, including a quiz, you'll have until midnight to submit it.
I happen to have a really understanding instructor that keeps in touch with everyone, and when she noticed me falling a little bit behind, she let me submit a few things late. Just communicate with them... don't think that just because you're in front of a computer that A) you're teaching yourself, and B) there's no one on the other side that can help you. They get paid to answer your questions just like a regular professor.

The only thing I don't like is how much reading you have to do just to navigate around, install software, etc. On the other hand, the format of online classes is real handy. For example, my online class breaks down like this:

Homepage
Syllabus
Calendar
Course Content
Start Here
Orientation
Module I
Module II
Module III
Module IV
Module V
Module VI
Content Compiler
Assignment Tool
Quizzes
Review Sheets
Resource Materials
Communication Tools
Mail
Presentations
Discussion Area
Student Homepages
Chat Room
My Progress
My Grades
How To Get Help
WebCT Help
FAQ
Search

Having all your lessons, homework, syllabus in one place sure beats having to take notes and keep all your things physically organized like a regular class.

Also, all of my quizzes, including the midterm and final, are open book. They are still timed though.

Overall, I would give it a try. You might like it, you might not, but what's one class going to hurt?

Answer 4

I love online classes! Ive taking them in college and it was so flexible. I received an B or better in every online class Ive every taken. The coursework is usually planned for the whole semester or at least a few weeks so you can do work at your own pace. I like to complete as much as I can as soon as possible so I wont have to worry about it. I strongly suggest an on line. People who are that comfortable with computers usually prefer traditional classes. If you are focused, organized and comfortable with computers I would say go for it!

Answer 5

I am currently a distance learning studen at Kaplan. I love it!!! It is flexible and that I really need in my life. I work full time, go to school full time and I have a family. The work isn't easy, at least for my program. It does require you to work but its worth it.
We have class once a week, online. We then interact with each other and the instructor on the message boards.
It works well for me.

Answer 6

My boyfriend is taking online classes. Part of his grade is for them to go on the message boards and interact with their classmates and i was there while he was doing his assignments and i thought it was pretty cool.