Online or cable tv college classes?

[ElizK]

I'm enrolling for some college classes tomorrow(), and I'm trying to find out if doing web-based classes or the cable tv classes might work for me. The stupid college web site is most unhelpful.

Questions:
1. If you have taken one of these, did you like it? do think this type of class is harder than the classroom version?

2. are the online classes pretty much all reading (as opposed to a video lecture)?

3. what kinds (subjects) of classes require blogging?


I appreciate any information you can offer. I am taking some courses at the college, but I'm trying to make the least amount of impact on my family, and thought one of these options might work for me. The department I need to talk to is closed, and registration starts tomorrow at midnight. I figured I could find everything on the website, but no luck.

If the class is all reading I probably won't learn very much. That's what concerns me most.

[Sparx]

in my experience, online classes are more difficult than in-classroom. specifically in math type fields (science, chem, math, etc)

i've never had "blogging" required as you put it, but all of my online classes required "discussion posting" its like a message board (except you get graded on grammar)

my classes had very little "instruction." more of a "do this assignment and email it. the math class i took required us to self teach, and well, that doesn't work too great with precal for a social work major like me.

[Cindy B]

Online courses are difficult, more difficult than you would ever imagine. Picture timed essays, discussion boards, blogging, chat times, questions/animated TIMED tests and lots of written work.

Cable TV classes were a lot of writing (picture 4 16 page papers) but no discussion boards, blogging and questions. Remember to set your TIVO or you will not get the times right-- ask me how I know this

I took about 2 cable courses and 14 online courses. I learned so much about courses and it did fit in my schedule. I preferred the online courses so much more.

[ElizK]

Ok, that helps. Thank you.

One class I found is a Business Communication Applications course on cable (and I do have a DVR!)

What would you think of this type of class?

[RitaZ.]

I took a few online classes and really didn't care for them. I prefer the face-to-face interaction and discussion that a lecture class offers. I disagree that online classes are harder. The material being taught is the same as a lecture, but professors tend to give you a lot of writing assignments to make up for the fact that there is no face-to-face discussion. I had to go to campus to take exams. Quizzes were completed and submitted at home. The quizzes were timed, but that's how it is in an actual lecture. We had class discussions online and had to post responses in order to receive credit. To me, it was a lot of busy work, but not what I would call difficult.

DH completed most of his Master's degree in EE through a distance learning program called FEEDS. Years ago, the classes were videotaped and delivered to his place of employment. He was given a certain amount of time to view the lessons. He had to have a proctor during exams, which were timed. He had the same amount of work as students in the actual class. Now this program is offered online where you log in and download the lecture. No more videotapes!

It really comes down to convenience and what you prefer.

[LilyWDW]

I never had issues with online classes over the years and will be taking some to get my MBA starting in January. Personally, I find them just as easy as having a class on campus. You DO have to be able to schedule your time well and keep up with the work. For some people this can be hard.

[shellybaxter]

I prefer online course to face to face. As an online student I am in charge of my education. I get to decide which things I pay more or less attention to. I've never had timed tests though - I've usually had to write papers, which I prefer as well.

[ElizK]

I really appreciate ya'll's help! It think I've put together a schedule I can live with. I'm going to take 3 classes and a lab at the campus, and do 1 class on-line (a Business Communications class). That's 13 hours. I register tomorrow for classes that start in January. I am pretty excited!

[RitaZ.]

Originally Posted by ElizK

I really appreciate ya'll's help! It think I've put together a schedule I can live with. I'm going to take 3 classes and a lab at the campus, and do 1 class on-line (a Business Communications class). That's 13 hours. I register tomorrow for classes that start in January. I am pretty excited!

Good for you! Good luck!

[LoraJ]

I have been taking several classes online and it's definitely more work than classes I took in person. But since my work schedule makes it impossible for me to attend classes, this is the only way I can finish my degree.

[quentina]

I am currently taking 2 online classes after a 18 year absense.....I like them. I love the go to class when you choose etc. I signed up for 2 more next semester.

I am taking HR classes so most of mine are along the employment law, recruiting etc.

[charming23]

Questions:
1. If you have taken one of these, did you like it? do think this type of class is harder than the classroom version?

I have taken online classes and have found them to be more work than a normal classroom but if you are good at working on your own and have the discipline it is really the way to go. I would stick to non mathmatical classes though.

2. are the online classes pretty much all reading (as opposed to a video lecture)?

My online classes also included podcasts by the teachers but most was reading

3. what kinds (subjects) of classes require blogging?

I had to blog for a Art History class on one painting in each chapter each week and then respond to two other classmates each week. It was easy than I thought it would be the more I got into it.

[LoraJ]

I want to add that I actually did really well in an online algebra class. The text we had explained everything step by step and the professor was also very helpful with any questions we had. The text had an online site with instructional videos and I supplemented with an account at yourteacher.com which was really helpful.

I had to drop out of a computer programming class. I was just not getting it. That was something that I really needed face to face instruction.

I may have to take Spanish next semester, that will be interesting.