Are Online Classes for You?

Online classes are often very different than traditional face-to-face classes in terms of how the material is presented, the nature of the interaction among class members, and the overall learning experience. Many students report that they actually learn more in online classes than in face-to-face classes and find the experience more rewarding. But online classes aren't right for everyone. Even if you are an excellent student, you may find that online classes are not compatible with your learning style.

A successful online student is one that is self motivated, is able to problem solve his or her own, and is able to manage time effectively. In an online course, the burden is on you to complete your assignments and participate in the course. Setting a schedule for yourself and being able to meet deadlines without the continual prompting of your instructor is a must skill to have. You will need to be able to problem solve on your own as well. You do have access to your instructor and students in your course; however, the turn-around time is not immediate like it typically is in a face-to-face course. Additionally, the online learning environment can be very textually based. You will be required to read and write in significant amounts for most courses. You should take this into consideration.

Suppose you feel you are lacking in some of these area, the best thing to do is to take a class on How to Succeed in an Online Class. For more information, click here.

So, before enrolling in your first online class, give some thought to whether online learning is right for you. Answering the following questions may help you with this process:

 

Do you have self-discipline and motivation?

Unlike traditional courses in which the students and instructor meet face-to-face once or several times a week, most of the learning activities and communication in an online course are asynchronous, meaning that class members participate and complete their assignments at different times throughout the day and week. This arrangement can make it possible for you to do your class work when it's most convenient for you. However, with this increased freedom and flexibility comes responsibility. Without the structure of regular class meetings, it will be up to you to pace yourself and keep up with assignments.

 

Are you able to commit time each day or week to your online course(s)?

Online courses often require at least as much, if not more time and commitment than traditional courses. Completing course assignments and other learning activities can take from five to fifteen hours or more per week. And you may find that you need to be online almost every day. So before enrolling, be sure you can set aside enough time to keep up with your daily or weekly assignments.

 

Do you have good communication skills and enjoy expressing your ideas in writing?

In online courses, nearly all communication is written, so it is critical that you feel comfortable expressing yourself in writing. If you feel that you are weak in this area, try to brush up on your writing skills and find out how much writing is required for the course before enrolling.

 

Do you feel comfortable discussing problems with your instructors?

If you are having problems with the technology or the course content, you need to let your instructor know as soon as possible. Without this feedback, your instructor will never know what is wrong. Remember that many of the nonverbal cues that you use in the classroom to show frustration, boredom, or confusion (such as a yawn or a look of bewilderment) are not possible in an online class.

 

Will you miss the experience of sitting in a classroom?

While the level of interaction can be very high in online courses, it is not the same face-to-face interaction. Some online students miss having the opportunity to see and listen to their instructor and classmates. If you feel that a traditional classroom is essential for learning or you want to experience campus and dorm life, online classes may not be right for you.

 

Are you comfortable using computers?

The personal computer is the primary learning and communication tool in most online courses. You don't need to be a computer guru or a geek to succeed, but you do need to have some basic technology skills, such as word processing and using a Web browser. Needless to say, you will also need regular access to a computer with an Internet connection. If you find computers scary or intimidating, you may want to get some computer training at a local community college before taking an online course

 

While there are many points to consider when making a decision about online learning, ultimately you are in the best position to know whether it fits your personal learning style and life style. If you have the right qualities to be a successful online student, you will probably find it to be a very convenient and rewarding alternative to traditional classroom learning. For more help with deciding whether or not to become an online student, investigate the links below:

 

 

Is Online Learning for Me?
UCLA Extension's online quiz.

 

Are Distance Learning Courses for me?
College of DuPage's online quiz.

 

Distance Learning Calculator
SUNY's tool for determining how much money is saved by taking a course from home.

 

What Every Student Should Know about Online Learning
An article by John E. Reid Jr., available on the Illinois Online Network Web site.

 

Tips for Online Success
Tips from the Illinois Online Network.

How to succeed at Distance Learning
Several tips from Terra Community College.