Has Anyone Taken Any Online Courses?

[Jeff in BigD]

I'm thinking about taking some online courses next semester.

Has anyone done this & have some advice, cautions, tips, etc?

 

[Cindy B]

The college I work at has an entire course of study 18-24 months entirely on line.


That being said, online isn't for everyone. MY bosses, (they are professors) teach the online courses. I have proofread the curriculum that goes into it.

How are you at writing papers? Deadlines?

Our online courses require a set time to be at a forum not unlike this for students to be prepared to discuss a topic (part of participation grade)... I've seen the board open up, and well, my one boss ask others all about the Dynamics of Organizational Behavoiour. ...


Some students love it, and some don't. They are not prepared for all the writing/papers/correspondence involved. That being said, there aren't that many quizzes/or study sessions.. it is a solitary thing.

 

[Jeff in BigD]

I usually do fairly well on written projects. The reason I ask is because I'm thinking of taking a few next semester & if I'm still working at a restaurant, an online course might give me a lot more flexibility in my schedule. I don't have any problems with deadlines, provided that they're reasonable or that all the projects aren't due until the very end. They would only be for the duration of the semester & I'm not sure if they have set times the student will be required to be online.

 

[dmslush]

I am finishing up my BA with online classes (TN has a program where you can get your degree through one of several TN universities, using online only classes). This is my first semester, and it has been pretty rough.

I'm taking 4 classes, psychology of personality, into to public relations, social psychology, and cont. lit. There is a TON of writing and readings to do. Our weeks start on Tuesday and tests must be took by Sunday or Monday depending on the class. There are tests every week in every class except for personality.


There are discussions that you must post to every week. For instance in my lit class, we have to do 3 discussions per subject (each week more or less). All of this is VERY structured. We have to do one original discussion (be the OP) then two responses to other students topics. It isn't like here. All of them are basically essays. Your main topic would be a normal size essay, and you response would be at least several paragraphs. There is little to no chit chat.


The absolute worst part is the group projects. UGH.. you get a bunch of punks that don't want to do there part and you have to do it for them. That part sucks.

Now, all in all this semester has been rough. BUT, it is getting easier. If I had it to do over again, I would have started out with just a couple of classes and built my way up.

 

[browneyes]

I took 1 online course-Humanities. I highly suggest everyone to try an online course. I loved it. A friend of mine is getting her Bachelor's degree through Phoenix Online. She loves it too.

Good luck.