Chemistry online--good or bad idea?

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Apr 14, 2010

Hi Limeade,

I did it last spring. It was great! I liked the labs and it wasn't hard at all compared to AP1 that I was taking at the same time. You get to take a practice test as many times as you want to prep yourself for the exam, this was VERY helpful. It is a guaranteed transfer course, so you shouldn't have a problem transferring it.

I'm just registered for Chem 102 (OChem) this fall through ccconline and we're using the same text. I'm going to be reading it over the summer to start prepping myself and I'm actually looking forward to it.

It's been a while since I took it, but if you have any specific Q's feel free to PM me. :)

~SD

One1, BSN, RN · Apr 15, 2010

I am finishing CHE 101 through ccconline in a few weeks. You get 2 practice quizzes per chapter from the textbook's website and my exams are 20 questions each, no repeats, and they are timed. CHE 101 covers 9 chapters (so 9 exams), 7 labs (you get an in-home lab kit) and a few discussion board topics. In my class you don't get any extra credit assignments or papers, and exams are worth 80% of the grade. My teacher is good, he structured the class well and the instructions are straight forward. I am doing fine so far but I have to self-teach app. 1 or 2 subsections of each chapter that I don't sufficiently understand by just reading the textbook. Google and an occassional youtube video always manage to fill in the gaps. What I like with the in-home lab kit is that I can knock out two labs at once (more would take too much time) which is great because I have little kids and I have to keep the lab kit out of reach which means setting everything up new every time I do a lab. Oh, and Regis accepts the course as long as it is the one with the in-home lab kit.

orchid09 · Apr 15, 2010

One1 thank you so much for posting this information! I plan to take CHE101 next spring, and your post was very helpful.

One1, BSN, RN · Apr 15, 2010

orchid09, glad it helped!

DenRN71 · Apr 15, 2010

thank you both, One1 and SandDollar! I appreciate the feedback.

One1--do you recall how much the lab kit was to purchase? Trying to weigh costs since online classes are more expensive. But so much more flexible which is nice.

I am currently taking Statistics online through CCA online, and I'm so glad I'm not taking it in a classroom. I don't think I'd be doing well if I didn't have the text to refer to during exams. I still study, but I don't feel like I have to commit everything to memory like you do in a traditional classroom setting. This might be to my advantage w/ chemistry because it is one subject that just doesn't really "click" for me.

thanks again!

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Apr 15, 2010

I'm with you limeade. I'm taking stats online too and feel the same way - the text is very helpful during exams! Our exams are 4 hours long, are yours? Having the text available during an exam is always helpful, even if I know an answer I always use the book to double check it.

orchid09 · Apr 15, 2010

limeaide and Sand Dollar would you mind posting tips on taking Stats online? I'm a little nervous about learning math online :0(

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Apr 16, 2010

Hi Orchid09,

If you can find answers yourself on how to do something, you should be fine. I took algebra last semester and had a witch of a time, it was the worst class for me, ever. I hadn't had algebra in 20 years but somehow placed into it. I didn't remember the basics and I joined a site called yourteacher.com which had great videos, step by steps, notes and tests (my daughter used the site and got high enough to place into algebra). The site was great, but I exhausted it by the 4th unit, and I had about 4 more after that. I found things on youtube and purplemath and did just fine. If you are going to take it through ccconline, you get two attempts at a test and extra credit for every unit. I would do the test once, then work out every problem and take it again with the first test next to me. The second test is always a 'copy' of the first but just different numbers. If you know the method, you can figure it out. You may get discouraged when you take your first exam, I certainly was.... I got a 32%! I about cried. I was just sick with worry. However, I figured with the EC and a second attempt I may just be able to do it. And I did. I eventually got an A in that class. I was running around the house screaming for joy because it was so hard. But, I never gave up, and did every extra credit assignment given.

For stats it's the same way, even the same lame teacher! I take the tests once, work them out and then do them again. This time we get to replace our lowest score with our final. My lowest test score has been an 80 but I still have a 99 in the class because of extra credit.

As long as you are willing to work and look elsewhere to find the answers, you will be fine. My friend who is also taking it (but on the short semester) found out about the math lab at Front Range and went there when she was stuck. It's still finding answers outside of class and that's what's important to do, if you need it.

If you are nervous, check out yourteacher.com I loved their site, and they have every skill level from middle school up. You will ace your math class with the help of that site. My daughter used it to do Algebra 1 and half of Algebra 2 in a month. You do have to pay for it, but I can't recommend it enough. They even have a few vids on youtube to check out.

If there is anything else specific I can help you with, PM me or post here, I'm always checking in. :)

One1, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2010

thank you both, One1 and SandDollar! I appreciate the feedback.
One1--do you recall how much the lab kit was to purchase? Trying to weigh costs since online classes are more expensive. But so much more flexible which is nice.
I am currently taking Statistics online through CCA online, and I'm so glad I'm not taking it in a classroom. I don't think I'd be doing well if I didn't have the text to refer to during exams. I still study, but I don't feel like I have to commit everything to memory like you do in a traditional classroom setting. This might be to my advantage w/ chemistry because it is one subject that just doesn't really "click" for me.
thanks again!

It is definitely not cheap - $220 with shipping & taxes. If you decide to take it online I would suggest you purchase a few extra glass tubes. I found some on amazon for less than $10 (12 I think) and it was worth it - you only get 4 or 6 tubes with the lab but there are a couple of labs where it will save you a lot of time if you have more tubes instead of having to wash all the tubes between each round of chemicals (plus, some chemicals tend to stick to the bottom of the tube and are extremely hard to remove).

orchid09 · Apr 16, 2010

Hi Orchid09,
If you can find answers yourself on how to do something, you should be fine. I took algebra last semester and had a witch of a time, it was the worst class for me, ever. I hadn't had algebra in 20 years but somehow placed into it. I didn't remember the basics and I joined a site called yourteacher.com which had great videos, step by steps, notes and tests (my daughter used the site and got high enough to place into algebra). The site was great, but I exhausted it by the 4th unit, and I had about 4 more after that. I found things on youtube and purplemath and did just fine. If you are going to take it through ccconline, you get two attempts at a test and extra credit for every unit. I would do the test once, then work out every problem and take it again with the first test next to me. The second test is always a 'copy' of the first but just different numbers. If you know the method, you can figure it out. You may get discouraged when you take your first exam, I certainly was.... I got a 32%! I about cried. I was just sick with worry. However, I figured with the EC and a second attempt I may just be able to do it. And I did. I eventually got an A in that class. I was running around the house screaming for joy because it was so hard. But, I never gave up, and did every extra credit assignment given.
For stats it's the same way, even the same lame teacher! I take the tests once, work them out and then do them again. This time we get to replace our lowest score with our final. My lowest test score has been an 80 but I still have a 99 in the class because of extra credit.
As long as you are willing to work and look elsewhere to find the answers, you will be fine. My friend who is also taking it (but on the short semester) found out about the math lab at Front Range and went there when she was stuck. It's still finding answers outside of class and that's what's important to do, if you need it.
If you are nervous, check out yourteacher.com I loved their site, and they have every skill level from middle school up. You will ace your math class with the help of that site. My daughter used it to do Algebra 1 and half of Algebra 2 in a month. You do have to pay for it, but I can't recommend it enough. They even have a few vids on youtube to check out.
If there is anything else specific I can help you with, PM me or post here, I'm always checking in. :)

Thanks Sand Dollar these sites are AWESOME!!!

Satori77, ADN · May 6, 2010

I have wanted to take some of these pre-req's online, and love the idea of doing the science ones at home. But I have also worried about the money. I know if you do CCOnline, you have to register with a home college. So does that mean you can use financial aid to help pay for the course?