Nervous - Internet classes

[ahartvigson]

I just enrolled in my first two classes this summer, Algebra and Comp 1. Both online. I have to admit, I am a little nervous about them being on the internet. I don't a problem with the computer or the internet, I would call myself a little computer geeky, I am just nervous about the lack of face to face learning.

I think most of my classes are going to be interent. I am a stay at home mom, about to stat at home daycare. I considered getting an evening job, but with husbands schedule it wouldn't work out. And a day job would be useless, I have little job experience, so I am sure all the money I could potenitally bring in would only pay for the daycare the kids would have to have, the second car we would have to get and the gas to put in that car.

Has anyone taken an actual nursing program over the net? The school here has 75 spots - 50 traditional and 25 internet. I guess I am waiting to see how these classes go this summer to get a feel for the internet thing. Labs and tests are in the evenings and weekends, which would work out great for me.

I guess I am just terrified of not doing well with the internet courses, seeing how the majority of my schooling will (most likely) be done this way. Can anyone who has done the science courses over the net give me a feel for what its like? I am not anticipating it will be easy - and I am worried I will be missing out on something that in-class students get.

Sorry this turned into more of a vent than anything!! Thanks for listening

[jrwoodall79]

i just completed Body Structure/Function (a kind of pre-anatomy) online. If you are comfortable with the computer, you will find that the actual sites are easy enough to use. the only thing is, you must keep yourself motivated and on track. it is very easy to fall behind, i saw many of my classmates do so. but as long as you stay on task, i think you will be fine. good luck!

[WDWpixieRN, RN]

I've taken several internet courses, including an 8-week summer chemistry class (so I could register for NS without waiting through the fall semester), and found them very do-able. They do require commitment and self-discipline to get the reading and any assignments done on time when you're not going to class regularly. For instance, in my Human Growth & Development class, we had open-book tests we completed at home and we had to have them in the mail to the instructor four times during the semester by a certain date (or taken to her office). If she didn't have them, you didn't do them -- period. Then we were required to show up for a mid-term and a final. Pretty impersonal, but I got the class out of the way. Chemistry involved these cute little computer "labs" that we did at home, then filled out assignments that pertained to them. We turned those in on Saturday in-class lab/test days.

I always struggled a bit with math, mostly because I don't think I paid much attention in high school. That's one of those concepts I need to "see" before I get it.....so I don't know that I would've done well with an online version of math. My 27 y/o daughter took it last fall and did pretty well with it, and I don't think she half applied herself until the end of the semester. I think only you know whether you've got what it takes to do it online, whether that's by your learning style or having resources you can turn to for assistance.

I had a bachelor's I completed in '99 prior to starting back for my nursing degree and there were virtually no online classes available locally back then. But I think if I had the choice to do a number of classes online vs. driving to school and attending class 2 or 3 times a week, it'd be a no-brainer for those subjects that I felt I could learn via a textbook vs. having someone outline the text and read the outline in class to me.

Good luck!!

[kangaroo621]

I've taken a couple of classes online (Nutrition, CalculusII, BiochemIII & Abnormal Psych). They work well if they are organized well and if you keep up with the work consistently & completely. Some of these classes can be really frustrating if the instructor doesn't have experience with online classes. They need to be accessible by email, be able to explain concepts very clearly in their lectures & written notes - if this isn't the case, it can be difficult. Best to go with instructors who have successfully taught online courses before, and hopefully aren't thrown in over their head with an online class as their first.

I felt like it worked best to set up a schedule for listening/watching lectures, readings, papers, etc. If I just put it off until I thought I'd have time, it never would get done and suddenly it was a nightmare. If I stuck to strict deadlines, I did just fine. One important thing also is that when possible, I would try to meet up with other students who were taking the online class. I was fortunate to be in the same city as the university giving the course and knew other students. This really helped, as we could review our notes weekly and help each other with topics we didn't understand. If I hadn't had that opportunity, I'm sure it would have been a bit tougher.

Hope everything works out!!

[ahartvigson]

Thanks for the input!

I guess I am just stressed about it - I know its going to take self discipline - I am preparing myself for that. I am trying to get accepted into the program next fall, so I am really cramming to get things done by then. I consider myself computer savvy, like I said I am just nervous that losing the personal-ness that would come with classroom settings and a traditional nursing program.

I needed to vent about more than anything, I think, as my husband, wonderful as he is, just doesnt seem to undestand my fear about it. He thinks I am smat as a whip and will be fine, but taking an internet class, in my mind right now, seems to be at my own loss. But, I don't have a choice, if I going to do it then this is going to be how I have to get it done. All the realization of what I am going to be doing is coming on so fast - it's a bit scary!

But thanks so much for the insight and for saying science online isn't like visiting hell! And thanks for the pointers, as well, because most of the people I know who took an online science class just said it was horrible - and I can't say that I think any of them were very concentrated on it. Just sort of, "When I have time.." thing. But more than anything, thanks for listening - greatly appreciated!