Age old debate: on campus or online micro?????

donk · Mar 4, 2013

I've never taken micro online but I have taken several other courses. It's got it's benefits and its challenges. I find when I have an online class in my regular semester I tend to have a hard time remembering it when I spend so many in class hours on other things. If its the only course I'm taking then its mug easier to focus on.

My opinion (for what it's worth haha) would be that if your in class immediately after then why not take it in class. I find it helps me to listen to te instructor and take notes while a visual is up (PowerPoint). It solidifies the material and I have the opportunity to tape the lecture to re listen to so that I can reinforce concepts that I have difficulty with.

Good luck with micro!

jvanwoman · Mar 4, 2013

Personally I think it's a no brainer. Micro in person for sure. Especially if you only will be at school a couple hours before. My micro class is one day a week and its from 9-1:30 and I think it would be more frustrating to do it online.

runsalot · Mar 4, 2013

The difference between online and in person is you have to be disciplined enough to put in the time instead of the teacher just teaching you. The Benefit of micro on campus (at least at my school) was lab and lecture never lined up like micro or chem. ex bone chapter you look at bones in lab. But in micro you spend the entire lab experience doing smears and other fun germy stuff.

i♥words · Mar 4, 2013

I would take it in person. I've taken a few online classes (none of them sciences, though) and not all are in work-at-your-own-pace format. In fact, most of the ones I have taken are the opposite. They are very structured and require more involvement than an in-person course requires, like writing assignments and the evil (in my opinion) discussion boards. Writing a discussion board post for an online class is different than writing on AllNurses, let me tell you. Also, for an online class you have to read the book. I didn't really read the book for my micro in-person class because the professor said specifically that what was covered in lecture would be on the test, not necessarily what was covered in the book. I used the book to help me understand the information presented in lecture, but I mainly studied off of my notes.

AmberHopefulRN · Mar 4, 2013

They are very structured and require more involvement than an in-person course requires, like writing assignments and the evil (in my opinion) discussion boards. Writing a discussion board post for an online class is different than writing on AllNurses, let me tell you.

I have found this to be true in some of my online classes as well. I also think discussion boards are EVIL!!! Especially the ones where you have to reply to so many classmate's posts by a certain date. Most of the time people just post stuff like "Good post!" whereas I try to follow the directions and post meaningful things about the person's post.

hodgieRN · Mar 4, 2013

Like said before, depends on the type of person you are. I like online classes. I much rather study on my own time in the comfort of my home. I hate driving on campus, parking, walking to class, hearing a lecture, and then going home. But I've done online classes before and I know my limits. I knew what classes needed to be in person or online.

If you are already there, that is a benefit. If you don't like online, then in-person is the way to go. You will know if or when you are comfortable with online. Some people love it, others hate it.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 5, 2013

I couldn't imagine taking Micro as an online class. You get so much more from the lecture when you're present and can ask questions. Yes, I know you can post questions to the prof on the course discussion board online, but to me, it's just not the same. I like the live, interactive feedback of being present in the classroom. Call me old-school, but that's what works for me.

If you prefer online courses, then go for it. But if you're not sure, I'd suggest taking the lecture in-person. Have you researched your potential profs? That makes all the difference! I like using RateMyProfessors.com for reading reviews on potential instructors. I haven't had a review steer me wrong yet.

Good luck to you!

Georgia peach RN · Mar 6, 2013

I took a micro class online with inperson labs. I also did this for A&P I & II. I found the biggest difference was my professors; A&P professor was great - he posted online lectures I could listen to and assignments, My Micro professor only posted the powerpoints that he used to lecture from and we got NO lecture. I ended up going to the lectures anyway because there wasnt enough info on the power points to direct my study. If your professor is computer savvy and spends the time to develop an Online experience that you can use to actually pass his exams then you will be fine but if he/she isnt then the lecture is the way to go.

rubato, ASN, RN · Mar 6, 2013

I've decided to take the on campus option, unless I don't get in. The competition for the few spots is crazy. I have a specific professor I want, and that means all of 24 spots. If I don't get in, I'll just take the online class. The professor that teaches the online class is also the Honors professor, so I'll be working with her anyway. I'm pretty sure I could handle it, but think I'll do better in person.