How does "online class" work?

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If I'm accepted into the nursing program for Fall 2014, I'll possibly be taking an online Nutrition class and a hybrid Preparation for Nursing class this summer. How do online classes work? Are the lectures prerecorded (can you watch them anytime?) or is there a set time for class when you are suppose to watch the lectures? Can you interact with the professor and other students during the lecture? I'm assuming that hybrid classes have lectures online and then the tests are at the college.

Thanks for the help! :)

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Specializes in Hospice.

When I took online courses there were no lectures, recorded or otherwise. There were reading assignments, quizzes, and proctored tests.

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Each school does their online classes differently and each teacher at an individual school will further tweak the class to their personal preference. The majority of my online classes through my local community college have been done all online without any recorded lectures but instead assigned textbook reading and note outlines. I usually had assignments due each week, online tests and quizzes that were timed, and required active participation in weekly discussion boards. Professors can also keep track of how often you log in and usually require a minimum of 2 logins per week. As far as hybrid classes - in my experience this means a seated class with a mandatory online lab or assignment component. Hope this helps. Good luck! :)

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day:

Online classes vary based on school AND class. For instance, I've taken online classes at the college I'm attending that have audio/video, those that just have audio, and others that are pure book reading. It really varies. What I do is check ratemyprofessor.com for professor ratings, and email the professor in advance of the class asking questions along with asking for a syllabus in advance. While not all of the professors I contact this way -- in advance of the class -- answer questions or provide a syllabus, they usually answer the email, and how they answer provides clues as to how it might be to take them as a professor.

In terms of hybrid / blended classes, typically one portion is online, and the other onsite. For example, I'm taking a blended microbiology class this semester (in addition to other fully online as well as a regular on campus class). The lecture portion is online (tests proctored on campus), and the lab portion is on campus. We have some videos, a lot of reading for the online portion.

Thank you.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

By the way, for online classes that have no audio/video, you can often find related material on iTunes University or youtube.com to supplement any pure reading classes.

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Thanks everyone! :up:

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