Online classes: Who? What? Where? Why?

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 30, 2014

Hmmm, curious...
If you are living on campus would you still take online classes?

Depends on what class it is. If it didn't really require me being there in person for labs, clinicals, etc...probably.

Krzysztof · Jan 30, 2014

I've had great experiences with online courses through my local community college. Some of the more "hands-off" subjects translate especially well to an online platform. Potential students should know that even with the best instructor, the nature of an online course is truly that of self-directed learning. Good organizational and time management skills are a huge plus. As in many areas of life, the amount of effort one puts into a task is a pretty decent indication of the level of success to expect. I treat my online courses with the same respect and dedication as classroom courses. After all, I'm the only one who determines what is really gained from a learning experience after the gradebook is closed.

Awesomocity0 · Jan 30, 2014

I took a couple of pre-reqs online, and... I didn't find them to be that different than campus classes. I couldn't imagine nursing classes to be a good idea online though initially. Not until you already have your license. I felt like a bit part of understanding for me, even during lecture (and of course during labs, clinicals, etc.) was peer discussion. Sometimes, the person sitting next to me would explain something that my prof explained in a way that didn't make sense. And I did the same for the person sitting next to me. The pre-reqs that I did, to be honest, I did the work to get it done, not for retention. I'm not proud of that, but I'm being honest here. It's easier to slack when you don't have the threat of being called on.

About the on-campus thing- I live 5 minutes away from campus and still took online ones. It meant I could sleep in, which was something very important for twenty year old me. Twenty-three year old present day me still thinks it was worth it. LOL.

Starreacher26 · Jan 30, 2014

I have taken a couple pre-reqs online. The difficulty of the class depends on the subject and teacher...with that said, across the board I can say that the real challenge comes from being self motivated and self teaching with online classes. I took a fundamentals of nutrition class online. This was a difficult class which required so much reading, self teaching and essay writing, that it become more difficult than my campus classes. I devoted 12 hours a week to this one class (I did end up with an A!) go me.

If you are a self disciplined person, with motivation and undistracted time, than you may be successful.

As much as I enjoy class in my pajamas, If I had to choose....I would pick going to class on campus.

Cheers!

ceebeejay · Jan 31, 2014

I have taken a lot of online classes and I am doing my RN-BSN online. They are more work than in person classes. You have to be very self directed. As someone said, you are basically teaching yourself. Time management and attention to deadlines is VERY important. One thing is due by midnight of the day, but something else might be due 8pm. Important to note. The quality of online classes is as good or better than in person classes. It's no short cut.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 31, 2014

I have taken both and it depends also on how organized the instructor is as well. I took my A&P online and developmental psych online while I was taking nursing classes. Both online instructors were VERY good at setting the courses up. They were hard, but doable. I really enjoyed it. Now I am doing my RN-BSN online and so far it has been a nightmare. Enough so that I have changed schools. Very unorganized, poor feedback, unclear instructions, changing deadlines. Very difficult to keep up with. One out of three was great b/c she had taught a lot of online courses, the others useless. Waste of my time. I am hoping it is different at the next school. I am very organized with my time and tried to keep up with it, but there is a lot of group work done online so you have to find a way to communicate well.

42pines · Jan 31, 2014

I took a few, this was 2002, perhaps things have changed. Both were a disappointment. There were strange things that occur in the "ether" of the internet. We, as students could converse, but I remember using the word "Autist." Talk about being raked over the coals--though today I feel that referring to a person who is Autistic as an Autist is acceptable and appropriate, though it might rankle a person which is ok, but that got way out of hand.

In both classes the professor was distant, unconnected, and pretty much unavailable. Thumbs down on both.

I'd like to do a Master's at U of Alabama at Birmingham and would like to do distance courses so I could work. I suspect that at the Master's level--they will work fine.

I also did a Coursera.com course (totally free) which had maybe 50,000 other students -- really. It was neat, well done, well presented and useful--though naturally forget about any personal contact, but there discussion threads were easy to follow, easy to participate and easy to ignore which was not the case in 2003. So I suspect that things have gotten better.

Msmedic68w, MSN, RN · Jan 31, 2014

I am always resentful of people who turn their noses up at online classes, especially nursing ones. You get out of online classes what you put into them. A lot of people say, "I can't learn unless a teacher is in front of me" Well, in my opinion that tells me that people who take online courses are more self directed. I have done about 90% of my school online, to include labs. Certainly, sitting in a class would be nice, but the times do not work with my schedule or the class that would work is not offered in my area. Another myth of online classes is that they don't "look as good" well, unless the school specifically says no online courses, they really have no way of knowing, the transcript does not indicate whether or not it was taken online or in a classroom. I'm sure there are many people, like me, who wish they could go to school all day and take these extensive courses and no have to worry about working, but that is just not reality for most people. If the class time doesn't work, does that mean you just give up on wanting to be a nurse because your honor won't allow you to stomach the stigma of an online course? How ridiculous (mind you I'm not pointing out anyone specifically in this thread, but that stuffy attitude of online courses is a common theme on this forum). Whether or not online classes are harder really just depends on the teacher and the school, much like a traditional school.

Personally I would accept a nursing school candidate who go an A in his/her pre-reqs over someone who got C's in her/his pre-reqs and sat in a traditional class. But like I said, the transcript does not indicate the mode it was taken so it really doesn't matter.

nurse grace RN, BSN · Feb 1, 2014

I am in my last class for my RN-BSN on line and it has been great. I have had to stay very motivated to do it but it has been worth it. I am considering an on line Masters but wonder how much more difficult the classes are.

Mandychelle79, ASN, RN · Feb 1, 2014

The RN-BSN program I am in is strictly online. As long as I can keep my laptop charged I am good to go.

ComeTogether, LPN · Feb 1, 2014

Science classes can be tough, and I have to go once a month for a full day of lab. They're always harder because you're essentially teaching yourself.

English classes aren't bad, I always take them online as well as math. With the math, you either know it or you don't and they have programs that walk you through the steps.

All in all its worth it for me not to have to travel to campus every day and I can work at my own pace.