A & P 1 online a good idea?

mommyonamission · Jun 22, 2009

Hi everyone,
My school offers A & P 1 in person and online. The in-person classes are full and I was just wondering, for anyone who has already taken it, if you would recommend taking it online? I know sometimes online classes can be even harder so I was just wondering if anyone had difficulties with that or if taking it online made little difference.
Thanks!

Good question and I'm not sure. I would think that the fact that your school offers an online class in A&P I is some proof that they are prepared to make it as close to comparable as the in-class option. However, I will say that while in grad school I definitely ended my biostats class thinking that "you know, some courses are probably just not best to take on online!". I'm curious about how they plan on administering your lab, if nothing else. I mean, A&P I lab for me was a great hands-on exposure to all the different parts of the body. Plus, having the instructor there to maneuver the structures and giving us tips was also helpful.

I have heard though that in this age of the internet with YouTube and Skype that some nursing instructors really do incorporate those mediums into how they teach students too so maybe you'll be just fine. I went to school a longggggg time ago so we had none of that.

Good luck!

jswitch · Jun 22, 2009

Good points. On that note, can anyone who's taken A & P online share how the labs were done?

Mezabeth · Jun 22, 2009

I am taking it online right now. The Lab portion is done by studying the pictures in the book, powerpoint slideshows and an online website with pictures. Its a difficult class but I enjoy it a lot. It is a very interesting class.

denise0815 · Jun 23, 2009

I am also taking it online now during the summer I semester. I dont mind the online course as much as all the info crammed into 8 weeks....lol...

If I could do it again I would utilize a full semester, I feel as if I am rushing through it.

But to answer your question, the lab is primarily done through visual tools, just like Mezabeth stated. You use your text, lab book and additional software to complete lab exercises. I find all the materials very useful,the pictures and powerpoint are really great and you still get all the info you need, you just dont have the "hands on" experience.

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Jun 23, 2009

I did AP 1 last semester online through ccconline. We had to buy a lab kit and went through the labs like (I think) a regular class would. It took a lot of time, but well worth it. I got an A in that class. I am taking AP 2 this summer and its a huge amount of work!! It is way faster since its summer but its very interesting and we get to dissect a fetal pig, its awesome!

jswitch · Jun 23, 2009

Thanks everyone, I appreciate your input!

onefrndlyghst · Jun 23, 2009

I also took A&P online. For our labs, we used an online program that simulated labs. It was a lot of fun. I hate lecture classes so this worked for me. I also suggest a coloring book. Sounds dumb, but there is an A & P coloring book that helps a lot with memorization.

prettyindecent · Jun 23, 2009

was this easy for you guys? I'm nervous about taking A&P and I don't necessarily want to take bio. From what my online classes have been like, I tend to prefer them (my advisors hate me for it). I just figure it might be easier especially with such a rusty bio background.

onefrndlyghst · Jun 23, 2009

It was easy for me as it fit my learning style. I do bad in lecture classes. I am a hands on learner and I also do not like to be read to (as a few of my teachers do/have done). I had only taken bio in high school, and I did not go to college right out of high school. There are tests online to help figure out your learning style. I would see what works for you.

sunray12 · Jun 23, 2009

IMO it is harder. When you go to class in person most teachers give out little tips and freebies (points) that you will not be getting online. Also there is a lot more collaboration with other students in person. When you do online classes you are on your own for the most part, but if you like independent learning then it is doable. Don't ever sign up for an online course if you're looking for easy. I took A&P I&II online because my work schedule did not allow me to be on campus for the amount of time required to take the classes in person. It wasn't easy but it was better for me than having to miss classes whenever things got crazy at work (which can be quite frequent) and ending up with bad grades because of it.