on line classes for generals, are they reallly deep?

bullcityrn · May 4, 2006

It's not that online classes are harder, the material itself is usually the same that you would have if you took the class on campus. You are given a syllabus and due date schedule at the beginning of the term so that you know when everything needs to be submitted. The key is that you have to be more disciplined. If you maintain good study habits, follow the schedule and get the work done -- just as if you were going to the classroom -- then you will be successful. Most instructors teaching online courses will tell you that students fail because they think they don't have to put in the time and effort just because they aren't in a classroom setting. Other than that, if you are a self-directed type of person and don't need a lot of feedback/hand holding from the instructor, online courses can be great, especially if you work and/or have a family. Hope this helps, good luck!

Mommy2Lillyan · May 4, 2006

i just posted a thread about online courses, with basically the same question as you. i'm just curious, how do you do clinicals? do they set you up through the school? hmmmmm...

LanaBanana · May 4, 2006

I've actually heard it said that online classes take more study time than regular classes. Which if you think about it would be true - in a regular class you spend 3-4 hours a week in lecture, plus the hours you spend at home study time. I've found it best to schedule my own "lecture time" at home. I'm a little anal (okay, a LOT anal!) but I make myself a weekly hour-by-hour schedule and write in the times I'm going to study for each class. When I'm feeling especially OCD I even write in what kind of studing I'll do - homework, reading, notes, labs, etc! No need for anybody else to be this anal though! :)

This is for gen eds, as for the clinicals Mommy2Lillian asked about, I would check out some of the threads on Excelsior (sp?) college because I think they're the main online nursing school.

MIKelly · May 4, 2006

I have taken three online courses, all prereqs; english comp, nutrition, and psychology. They were all "accelerated" classes and took 8 wks. I found it pretty easy to do the work and follow along. My nutrition professor was actually "teaching" the class and would give us lectures each week to read on top of the textbook reading assignments. My current psychology professor doesn't bother to give us any lectures, which stinks because I find psychology quite confusing and I'd love some better explanations of theories and such than what the text gives us. I feel like I'm pretty much teaching myself the class.

MJJFan1, BSN, RN · May 4, 2006

You are basically teaching yourself the material. It really depends on the subject! I've found english and humanities/fine arts to be very easy online, but I'd rather take sciences in class.

RNAngel2b · May 5, 2006

I'm taking Psychology and Human Growth & Development this summer (8wks) online. I know these are easy courses. Has anyone come across any web-sites that would be helpful?

Pixiesmom, BSN, RN · May 5, 2006

I'm taking Psychology and Human Growth & Development this summer (8wks) online. I know these are easy courses. Has anyone come across any web-sites that would be helpful?

You might see if there is an online site for the textbook. I took psychology in the classroom, but the online site for the textbook had study tools that were great.

RNAngel2b · May 5, 2006

Thank you Pixiesmom for the info. Good Luck to you!!! :)

MIKelly · May 5, 2006

I'm taking Psychology and Human Growth & Development this summer (8wks) online. I know these are easy courses. Has anyone come across any web-sites that would be helpful?

I personally find psychology to be very confusing, not so easy (some of the theories are wishy washy or very similar to other theories). If all the tests and exams weren't open book I wouldn't be getting an A in the class. Does your school have you come to campus for tests and exams or is it all done online like mine?

FLAtoNYC · May 7, 2006

I have taken a ton of gen eds online... chemistry (lab was in school), human development, religion, sociology, eng. comp II... I swear by them because I have two jobs and really need to study whenever I find the time, like 2 AM... Some random advice for online classes (and others too), buy the For Dummies and Complete idiots guides for your classes because it is often hard to figure out details of complicated topics if you don't really understand the main idea and textbooks are often very wordy and confusing. They put the main ideas into english you can actually understand and help the details make more sense. I have them for almost every class I have taken and they have helped me tremendously in teaching myself. Good luck!

RNAngel2b · May 7, 2006

So book stores have guides for each course? I would need to invest in those. I'm working full-time and taking care of 3 chidren, plus 2 online courses. Thanks for the info!:)