Four Things You May Not Know About Online Classes

Online classes are being offered by more colleges and universities each year. In today’s world, some college students actually take all of their classes online, while many others choose to take at least one or two online classes. I’m sure you’ve heard that online classes are not for everyone. I have taken all but two of my college classes online so far, and I completely agree with that statement. Being an online learner takes a lot of time and dedication, as well as an ability to work independently and keep up with a schedule. Choosing to take online classes is not a decision to be taken lightly. You’ve probably read some articles that list the characteristics of an ideal online learner and have a general idea of what to expect. Even so, there are bound to be a few things about online classes that you won’t find out until you’ve actually taken the plunge and signed up for your first online class. Here are a few things that surprised me about online learning.

Your professors will make a big difference in how much you enjoy your online class. I didn’t really think the teachers would make much of a difference when I signed up for my first online classes, but I quickly found out how wrong I was. Yes, some online classes are totally independent with no teacher at all, but those are rare exceptions in the world of online learning. Most online classes are led by a professor who also teaches in-person classes at the college. A good professor can help his or her online students enjoy the subject matter and learn a lot, while a poor one can make his or her class a lesson in misery. Some professors are very involved with their online students. Good teachers may post typed lectures or even videos to supplement their textbook work, post links to interesting websites, update their class site often (whether it is to post new grades/reminders or just to say hello), and be readily available should any student have a question or need help. Not-so-great professors tend to treat their online classes as an afterthought. These teachers are not be available if students ask for help, may be rude to students, may not post any supplemental information at all, and are often chronically late posting both assignments and grades, which can make it almost impossible for online students to stay on top of things. A wonderful in-person professor may be a horrible online professor (and vice versa), so how do you choose a good online teacher? The easiest way is to talk to your friends who have had the teacher for an online class before. If that’s not possible, you can also read reviews on the ratemyprofessors website (which I use and have found to be extremely accurate) or other similar websites.

Your fellow students matter too. I have been in a few online classes where the students don’t type two words to each other all semester, but the majority of online classes involve some degree of student interaction. Many classes require students to post their thoughts or comments to a discussion board on a weekly basis, and some even require students to reply to another person’s post. Professors may also respond to their students’ posts from time to time. Posting on a discussion board can help online students feel more involved and can make classes a bit more fun. However, posting opinions can also be very intimidating, especially in classes that involve controversial topics. If your online class requires student interaction, make sure you take your time and think about what you really want to say before you begin typing–be truthful about your opinions, of course, but don’t be rude or insult those who may not agree with you. You should also double check all of your posts for spelling and grammar problems before submitting them. The individual students in your class can make a big difference in how useful and enjoyable a discussion board is. I have been in classes with a lot of great students who talk at length about the topics and really get involved with the subject matter. I have also been in classes where most of the students wait until the last possible second to post their opinions and only say the bare minimum. Don’t be afraid to post first in an effort to get the conversation going! Trust me; being in an online class with a lot of involved students is much more interesting than being in an online class full of apathetic students. Most students actually interact more with their classmates in online classes than they do in in-person classes. This is why I recommend online classes for shy students–sure you can go to school, sit in an uncomfortable chair and not say single a word to anyone else all semester, or you can take online classes instead and actually get to know other students and your professors through email and discussion board postings. In some cases, college class discussion boards can actually lead to new friendships.

You may have to go to school to take exams and give presentations. Most colleges require their online students to take at least one proctored exam per course, but some professors choose to make all of their exams proctored. Some colleges ask students to find their own proctor, but most make students come to campus to take proctored exams. This usually involves going to a testing lab or center at your college during a certain time frame (usually a period of days). You might take your exams on a computer or on paper; it depends on your teacher. Make sure you find out if you need to bring anything with you before you go to school to take an exam! I was nervous the first few times I had to do this, but I have found the people working in my school’s testing center to be very kind and helpful, so I no longer worry about it. You may also have to go to campus to give presentations, which can be a bit more intimidating since you will have to speak in front of a professor and classmates that you have never actually met. Looking for some good news? Most online classes that require presentations offer online options, such as uploading a video presentation to the class website or an online hosting site. Of course this means that you must own (or borrow) a digital camera or video recorder and be willing to post videos of yourself online (if only for a few days/weeks until your teacher has given you your grade and you can take it down). You should keep this in mind before deciding to take online classes.

You will use a lot of paper. Surprisingly, online classes are generally not any more environmentally friendly than in-person classes. In most cases, you will have to buy at least one book per class. You will also need a notebook to take notes in, unless you prefer to type your notes and print them out to study. You will probably also want to print out important information, such as the syllabus and list of assignments and due dates for all of your online classes. Having a binder or folder for each of your online classes can help you keep all of your things together and stay organized. It can also be very helpful to invest in a paper calendar or planner to keep up with due dates. You may also need to print out some of your professor’s notes and assignments from time to time. I know I printed out a TON of how-to sheets when I took an online Algebra class. Furthermore, some of your online teachers may require you to turn in certain assignments in paper form, especially special projects. One of my online literature classes required all students to turn in a giant three-ring binder stuffed to the brim with paper as part of a special project near the end of the term. In other words, be prepared with a healthy supply of printer paper, ink, notebooks, pencils, and pens before signing up for an online class. Just be sure to recycle everything after you’re finished with it.

I hope this article has been helpful to you. The things I mentioned above are just a few things to know about online classes, and there is a lot more information available online. I wish you luck in any online classes that you decide to take!


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