Is online education "right" for you?
Online learning is different than traditional, face-to-face learning.
To be successful in online learning, you must:
- Be proactive. Ask questions and "work ahead."
- Be a self-motivator. For this reason, many non-traditional and returning students succeed in online and hybrid courses because they understand the determination required to be successful. This is not to say that traditional, determined students do poorly--because they do well, too.
- Be good at time management. No one is perfect with managing her/his time as wisely as we should; however, without being able to adhere to deadlines (for reading, submissions, etc.), the student will not enjoy or do as well in an online course.
- Log-in regularly (at least 4-5 times per week). Logging-in to online classrooms is similar to attending class--it is required to access vital information.
Motivations for online, hybrid, and 8-week courses
Students choose these alternate format courses for many reasons, including:
- Familial and work obligations that prevent them from attending in-person classes
- Economic freedom from transportation concerns
- Familiarity with technology
Convenience versus Easiness
Many people confuse convenience with easiness in relation to online learning.
Yes, online courses are easily accessible; you can read the material and engage your peers online--with a common device (e.g., cell phone, laptop, etc.). However, just because the material is "at our fingertips," the same work (if not more!) is required in an online course as a traditional course.
Since you are not in a tangible classroom, your responsibility (as a student) must be even more proactive in discerning the material and asking questions for clarification. In other words, just because the course may be more convenient than a face-to-face class, it is not easier!
Do not arbitrarily enroll in an online course because you do not want to sit in a classroom; your motivation must be stronger in order to be successful and enjoy the experience.
Defining Hybrid, Online, and 8-Week Courses
Courses may be one or more of the following descriptors: hybrid, online, and 8-week.
A hybrid course contains both online and in-person instruction.
An online course meets primarily online, with one or two in-person exams.
An 8-week course lasts 8 weeks, instead of the typical semester-long 16-week courses.