Have you ever considered taking your college courses online or know someone who is considering it? There are a few things that need to be taken into consideration before diving in to taking college courses online.
Are you a self disciplined person?
Online courses are moderated by instructors. They are there to answer your emails, get involved in discussions, review your work, and grade them. Many instructors will also include a syllabus and course calendar that tells you when discussions and assignments are open as well as when they close.
The one thing they won’t do is personally remind you when something is due.
Do you have the time to set aside for the online course(s)?
Online courses are meant for those who are unable to attend on campus classes for various reasons, however it is important to make sure before signing up for online courses that you know what your daily schedule is like. Instructors have the ability to check to see when you are logging in, how long you have been logged in and what activities you have been doing. Some instructors will go as far as telling you how much time you should put aside weekly for the course. For example, I had one social work related course that the instructor specifically stated you have to set aside a minimum of 20 hours a week . At that time I had two online courses plus three on campus courses so you can imagine what my schedule was like.
Consider where the mid-term, final and other tests are taken.
Depending on the course, your tests may not be taken at home. Most of my mid-terms, finals and other tests had to be proctored at the nearby community college testing center. That meant I had to call or look online for the schedule of the testing center to ensure I took my test in the allotted time. Typically the testing center has a password for that class/instructor that they have to enter after I have logged in to my course on a testing center computer. If I were traveling within the state (TN) I could go to any of the Tennessee Board of Regents colleges or Universities and take my test. Also, make sure the testing center doesn’t require making an appointment so be sure to call ahead!
Not all online instructors are alike
Chances are in the beginning of an online course the instructor will lay down some ground rules about the course, expectations and how things are graded. It is important to note what the expectations are. Also, make sure you have the instructors contact info too. You never know what issues can arise. One semester I was taking Biology I online. I had a text book as well as computer software for the lab work. When I received my lab software it would not work. I even called technical support and let my instructor know the situation. Interestingly enough I found out the instructor I had for the course was the person who developed the software! He quickly shipped out a replacement copy of the software at no charge to me.
The following semester when I was taking Biology II I fell severely ill at the very end of the course. Just before being admitted to the hospital for pneumonia I contacted my instructors to let them know what was going on and when the doctors thought I would be released after treatment. Once I was released I was able to finish up most of my course finals within the allotted time. With my Biology II course though, I was not able to find a testing center opened at the times I was able to so the instructor decided that I would just get the same grade I got for the mid term (which was ok with me).
Communication is Important in online courses
It should be apparent by now from reading the previous paragraphs that communication played a vital role in how I did in online courses where something came up. Instructors will tell you one of the most important things in an online course is communication. If anything comes up email or call the instructor right away. Most are understanding as long as you are not doing every time something in life happens. Don’t let what the syllabus says scare you. That information is there for general purposes. Most instructors have their own set of “rules” or guidelines to go by. I have found that when something has happened majority of the time the instructor is very understanding and willing to work with me.
Online courses require a lot more discipline than on campus courses. It is up to you to do the reading, complete assignments, study for tests, print out notes, assignments, study guides, note on your calendar when things are due. Online courses are made for people who can get things done on their own even with a busy schedule. If you are not sure if an online course is for you, most colleges and universities now offer a test course so you can see what it is like and it tests you to see if you are able to handle an online course. I personally tell people considering it if you are disciplined but not sure you are very well self disciplined to try one course.
Since 2006 I have taken well close to 40 online courses from lower level college courses to graduate studies. When I first learned about online courses I wasn’t sure how I would do. My first semester in college (after a 10 year absence) I tried three on campus courses and three online courses. I was able to keep up with all six of my courses (18 hours) and make the honor roll!
The biggest reasons for why I chose to take online courses was that at the time I did not have reliable babysitting. This proved to be the case when I returned to college and was left one day without a babysitter (my mom took a half day off from work so I could go to my classes). It actually happened a second time but I was able to set up a neighbor watching my kids while I went to my classes. After those times I decided it was best I took my classes online. I didn’t have to worry about missing classes and important information or my grades suffering because I was not there. It was a tough decision to make but I had to for the sake of my education.
Taking online courses is not something to take lightly. They are still college courses, but they take more self discipline and time than an on campus course does. Chances are they also cost more because they are online. Three important things to ask yourself before considering taking online classes: What are the reasons I need to consider online courses over on campus courses? Am I self disciplined? Do I have the time to set aside?