Posted by Sharon Cece on May 4th, 2009
Students often begin the process of achieving an education and sometimes find, like myself, that even a single circumstance–whether it be a lack of funds or a personal roadblock or any number of other reasons–regrettably, can preempt their education. Ten years ago, I didn’t think I would return to get my degree (although, a small part of me kept that hope alive, obviously). Going to college is a lot of work, not just mentally but physically. So, I was thrilled to discover the online college option, since it offered another, completely different process which ran parallel with my original goal of graduating from college. Furthermore, it led straight to the Commencement Trail. I didn’t have to find my way back to my original path; I forged a new “online” path.
I’ve thought many times about going back to school to get my Masters degree, and I wouldn’t even consider such an undertaking without online options. My life is full right now, as a wife and mother, as household manager, as a writer and now I’m considering an additional work opportunity. Add to that, like so many other parents, the kids’ school commitments, church and community work, training our puppy ( which I threw in as metaphor for “other” obligations that take a lot more time and energy than I thought they would). Now, I could really push myself and attend school on campus, but why? When online options make it so much easier to go back to school and get a degree. Most people want to save time and energy; I, especially, want to save time and energy and quite frankly, I don’t want to push myself anymore. I want results, not an ulcer.
My online university experience was so fulfilling that I’m not certain that I would change anything in my pursuit of an advanced degree; rather, I would blueprint the process so that I could repeat the sequence, it was that effective. I would be tempted here to write, that in order to save time and money, I might consider a local program to get my Masters degree; however, in truth I would research Masters programs at FSU first and foremost. Out of sheer sentimentality, of course (see previous article “Seminole Pride”). Yet, along with being a sentimental gal, I’m also thorough and yes, entertain a pragmatic vein. So, I will look into other programs and weigh all the options, for research is our best tool for decision-making, and often the gateway to a new path that could lead to the next goal.
Posted by Jen Zeman on May 1st, 2009
Online degree programs are a major convenience for anyone who cannot access a traditional college classroom. However, online degree programs are not suited for everyone. One of the largest mistakes people make in judging online programs is the classes must be easier because you do not have to sit through a traditional lecture. This is not the case! Online courses are just as difficult, if not more so, than traditional classes. There is a tremendous amount of reading that is required each week and most courses require active participation on discussion boards each week as well (these discussion boards/groups usually take the place of traditional classroom discussions). If you are someone who needs the face-to-face interaction with an instructor during a pre-designated time slot each week in order to keep you on the ball, then you may have a difficult time being successful within online courses. With online courses, you are on your own to manage your workload and learn the material. If you are not a disciplined individual who can motivate themselves to get a job done, then online courses may not be for you for the same reason mentioned above. You will find yourself falling behind which is disastrous in an online course setting.
However, if you consider yourself an independent learner, capable of learning new material without being latched to an instructor, you will enjoy the independence of online classes. This is true too if you cannot tolerate sitting through a lecture and having to be held back by other students who may not understand the material as well as you (i.e. the ones who ask a ton of questions in class). If you are an organized and disciplined person, online classes will be perfect for you. If you keep the material for class organized and you can easily motivate yourself to put schoolwork first above all else, then you will be quite successful with an online degree program. You’ll never want to sit through another traditional in-class course again! Good luck!
Today my daughter told me she was taking three online classes so she can work almost full time this summer. She is doing this to graduate in December, four and ½ years after she started. While I am grateful financially that she is motivated to finish up; in the back of my mind I am wondering if she can handle the intensity of three online classes. She is quite organized so she has that in her favor, but I am not sure if she can handle the demands. She has taken an occasional online class with her on site classes, so she does have some idea of what she is getting into. Online classes require a lot of response, which is visible or invisible to the instructor. She tends to get overwhelmed and I am wondering if online classes condensed for a summer session might be too much for her. She did not inherit her mother’s need to stay busy.
If you work full time, online or on site classes, eat most of the free time you have after working an eight hour day. You need to have a lot of energy to do either types of college education. If you have children they still need a piece of your day too. The advantage of online classes is you can complete a lot of your assignments on the weekends before your assignment is due. If you are the first to post, you have the advantage of starting the discussion and understanding all the threads that follow.
Success in online classes belongs to those with a lot of energy and good organizational and time management skills. The ability to work ahead before the deadlines helps a lot in the online environment. If a student lacks these skills it will be difficult for them to achieve in the online environment.
Posted by Jeff Davis on April 20th, 2009
Not everyone is a good candidate for becoming an online student. In my opinion, online courses seem to be geared more towards students with a verbal learning style versus a visual one. Why? Well, namely because the study materials, classroom discussions, assignments, and interaction are all replaced by writing. So, if you are the type of student who prefers a more hands-on approach, the online school environment may not be for you. But whatever your learning style, you must be able to learn and work independently in order to succeed in an online degree program. This means that you must be organized and able to complete all assignments with little to no supervision. Effective time management is very important, so procrastinators beware. Among the many benefits to this type of learning environment are that online students usually don’t have to worry about waiting for the entire class to catch up to speed so that everyone is on the same level and I have personally found it to be beneficial by working at my own pace like this so that I can help to speed up my graduation date and getting my degree.
Among the other characteristics of a good online program candidate are that they must be able to effectively demonstrate comfort with using technology and especially such items as the Internet (for research and classroom activities), word processing software, and communication tools (like email and instant messengers). Lastly, I think it’s important for an online student to have the necessary reading and comprehensive skills in order to understand the text because in the online school environment you will be missing out on the more traditional instructor-led lectures.
