Would online classes be better than regular college?

Answer 1

I take both. Online classes take just as much time as college classes, approximately 3-4 hrs /wk / credit. It is hard to get the motivation to spend at least 15 hrs per week studying for an online class that you don't have to go to the campus for. If you have the time and discipline, go for it. I learn better in a classroom because I hear the material, see the material, and interact better with classmates. Good luck!

Answer 2

From my experience, I learn more when going to class, but get better grades from online classes. However, not all online classes are a cakewalk. The majority I think are easier than traditional courses, but I've had some that were tough. Anything in the humanities or social sciences are usually easy. A lot of them require a ton of irritating work though. Like small 10 question quizzes once a week, or a 3 page paper on the reasons once a week and this will be the bulk of your grade. Several times i've had other things to do and forgot about it, then had to do the whole assignment a half hour before it was due. If you take an online class, they usually give you a syllabus and all the assignments right away so you can work ahead. I suggest you print out a sheet showing all your assignment and due dates, then putting it right next to your computer and cross off each assignment as you do it so you wont forget. Good luck

Answer 3

As a professor who teaches both on-campus in the classroom as well as online, I can honestly say that it is possible to get value and a solid education from either format.

However, I personally lean more to any class where you're actually in a classroom with a professor. Why? Because you have the benefit of that personal interaction with your professor and classmates. And your professor can actually see that YOU are the one doing the work.

With online classes, I don't know for sure that the student is really doing it because for all I know, there could be someone there with you simply feeding you answers. But in an actual classroom, I can see firsthand that you're the one doing it and can attest to your mastery of the material.

It all boils down to this. Online learning works for many people because it's more convenient since you don't have to physically go anywhere. So long as you have computer and internet access, you can log in. And a class here and there is perfectly OK.

But pursuing an entire degree online is totally different. Here, you don't get the full benefits because nobody actually knows you're the one doing the work. So I would definitely suggest some combination of part online and part on-campus. That's if you don't want to go the fully on-campus way.

And don't forget that are some classes that are some combination of part online and part in the classroom. Some schools call these blended, while others call them hybrid. These classes offer some physical classroom instruction, with a bit of online testing or supplemental instruction.

Bottom-line, in-class is best, hybrid or blended is second, while fully online would be third.

Answer 4

Usually, taking classes in person is the better option, unless you absolutely cannot make it to classes on campus. One big problem with online classes is procrastination; I know someone who had to take about 3 tests and 10 quizzes during the last week of the class because they had been put off for so long. As long as you prioritize, it shouldn't be too much of a problem if you have no other choice.

Answer 5

Along with considering your study habits, and learning style, it is important to consider the source of the classes you are taking.

If you are taking on line courses from an accredited college or university, then you are fine.

If you are enrolling in one of those 'get your degree at home in half the time...just pay us "University of a Mythological Bird On line" your entire life's savings' type colleges, you're better off with the education you already have.

These on line schools are designed as money-makers for their founders, often a degree from them is worthless in the real world. Employers will not accept these degrees because they do not have the backing of a quality education.

Do some research into the school you are considering. Make sure they are accredited in the subject you want to study.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Online college classes are simlar to a regular class. The main differences are the material and time frame. Online you have usually a few extra days to finish a chapter/book/project, but at the same time, you usually have more work to do as a whole. So, it balances. If you have less time, go with online classes.

Answer 7

The answer depends on what you define as "better". If you mean are they 'easier', that depends on you as a student. If you mean would they fit your schedule better? Probably.

I work in college Admissions at one of the highest ranked universities in the USA. I disagree with the responder who said that online degrees will not be taken seriously by employers. That is a myth and only true if you take classes from a non accredited college. If the college is accredited, they have to abide by the same educational standards as a brick and mortar only college. I think that you will find with most universities out there, that the majority offer some type of online/distance learning.
As an example, Penn State University offers online classes. When you graduate, your diploma says you graduated from "Penn State University". It does not say in small lettering at the bottom (but they took some of their classes online). Do you think an employer is going to say, 'gee they went to Penn State, but they did course work online, so I'm not going to take them seriously'? No, that's crazy. So DO NOT let the myth that online course work isn't 'real' scare you from taking classes that way. Just be sure the university is accredited.

Online classes are better in the sense that they let you arrange your schedule around them. There are two types of classes Synchronous and Asynchronous. Asynchronous means you can log on whenever during the week and complete your coursework. Synchronous means you have to log in at set times for 'class'.

Course work is usually not any easier just because you took it on line. Math, Statistics, Calculus, Logic, etc classes are generally a little more trickier to do online because if you don't grasp the concept being taught, you don't have the benefit of face to face communications with professors. That is not to say you shouldn't take those courses on line, it simply means that those can be more challenging to take on line.

Sorry for my rambling.... I hope I helped to answer your question.

Answer 8

Not if you actually want to get a job when you are done with school.

I'm sure that there are some on-line courses that are quite good -- but there are many that are not. Employers won't take on-line degrees seriously.