Online learning differs in many ways from the classroom experience.
Answer the following questions and read the descriptions of the online course experience before you decide to take a course online.
Below are 7 questions from the English Department's online description dealing with online classes. If you answer YES to 4 or more of the questions, you are probably ready to take an online course.
- Do you have a working computer and Internet access? If you do not, are you willing to obtain them?
- Are you willing to commit at least the same amount of time (if not more time) to an online class as you would to a regular classroom class?
- Are you a self-motivated person who can manage your time effectively and efficiently?
- Are you able to read quickly, accurately, and critically? Are you able to sort out the writer’s points?
- Are you able to learn on your own, using written instructions?
- Do you feel comfortable communicating in writing?
- Are you comfortable seeking help when you need assistance in understanding something?
Do you think taking an online course is right for you?
- Online courses differ considerably from courses taken in the traditional classroom. While you the student are responsible for learning in both instances, in the classroom situation the teacher has a much more active role. That role is reversed in the online class, where you become almost totally responsible for the learning which takes place.
- The teacher in the online situation becomes more of a “facilitator,” that is, the teacher selects the materials to present in the course (reading material, virtual lessons, virtual handouts, PowerPoint presentations, even audio or visual files), and from that point on it is completely up to you to maintain the schedule of activities, read all of the course postings, and do all of the assignments.
- Online does not mean self-paced. There are specific deadlines by which homework assignments, quizzes and tests must be completed. The homework, quizzes and tests are viewed, completed, and handed in online through a course management tool. At UW-Stout, we use Desire to Learn, which is also known as D2L or Learn@UW-Stout.
- Since online courses have no required “in class” time, it is up to you to designate time to review the material assigned each week. You should designate a number of hours equal to that which you would have spent “in class”, which is usually equal to the credit value of the class. In addition, you must set aside time to do the homework. The rule most often cited for the minimum amount of time needed to complete homework is 2 hours outside of class for every hour of “in class” time. For example, if you are taking an online course worth 3 credits, you should designate at least 3 hours each week for your “in class” time to review the weekly material, and another 6 hours per week to complete the homework. The actual time you need will depend on your skill in the subject and your learning style. You may need more or less time.
So, now what do you think about taking an online course?
Description of Online English Courses