Online Classes...

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Specializes in Rehab, CICU, ICU Pulmonary, ER, OB.

I have never taken a 'fully' online class. I have taken classes where the prof's had a lot of online assignments, but never a www class.

This next quarter I am taking 1 tradition class (organic chem) so I decided that I would take 2 online classes. Sociology and Western Civ (BSN requirements) I am just worried about the work load.

Do online classes tend to be harder easier or about the same as a normal/traditional class. For me, having 3 children, online classes seem to be the way to go, but I worry that I might have hurt myself. I am very driven and don't need someone hovering over me to get my work done, so that part wont be a problem.

I am looking for experiences good/bad/ugly of online classes.

TIA!

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hi this semester was my first time to take online classes and i took 3.. it really depends on the teacher and the class load but so far i have had good experiences i know some people who took sociology online and loved it. the best thing to do sometimes is to talk to the teachers ..

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I agree with the above poster, the difficulty (or ease) of an online class is totally up to the professor. I have taken several online courses and found them to be challenging, but very doable. For the most part, you still need to do the reading, and keep up with the workload. For most of my online classes, the exams and quizzes were also online (so of course they were open book--still difficult). However, 2 classes required that the final exams be proctored. One of those exams (pharmacology) was the hardest test I have ever taken in my life. And the class was good, but it was A LOT of work during the week.

For me, the benefit to an online class is that you can log in and complete the work on your time schedule (assuming, of course, that you meet the set deadlines).

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From my experiences with online classes I would say they are more difficult than an on campus class. Yes, they can be infinitely more convenient but you really have to be self disciplined. When you take a class on campus, you go when the class is scheduled to meet and when you're done, you're done. With most online classes you have to remember to log in a certain number of times per week, post to different discussions (both original threads and responses to others posts) plus remember to post the required assignments. Just because a class is offered online does not mean that it is easier. It may be just the opposite. But you won't know until you at least gete the syllabus for the class and you can always make up your mind then. Good luck!!

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Specializes in Rehab, CICU, ICU Pulmonary, ER, OB.

Thanks for the replies!

I am hoping this works out if not, I'll just drop and take them regularly.

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I took nutrition online, and it was easy, but everything seemed more time consuming than a regular class. The benefit was that I could do things at 2:00 am or 6:00 pm. I personally learn much better when I can attend a lecture along with reading assignments- for this class there were power point "lectures" but they were just outlines and didn't really replace hearing the professor talk about things.

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I took a couple of them last year and this last summer. I had a hard time with the summer class because they are so short, but I also had a hard time with my class on campus too. I think the biggest thing is not to get lazy. I had to set aside days that I was going to do my homework just like if I was going to class or work. I learn a lot from the lectures so I had a hard time with the class that didn't include a lecture.

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I am taking 3 online courses this semester, 2 of which are accelerated 8 week courses. I feel they are much harder than face to face. They often require more involvement since you don't have that classroom environment. I have had much more work to do (plus discussion boards). The benefit for me, as other posters have said, is that I can come hom and work on homework at 9pm.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

All of these responses sound weird to me. I've taken 8 online classes, and 7 of them have been VERY easy and not time consuming at all compared to a face to face class. I spend about 30 min per week on nutrition, 20 min per week on english this semester.. I'd say my online classes average less than 2 hours a week total of work. Except one, which was accelerated (summer) accounting, which I spent about 4-5 hours per week total on. Plus, all of my tests have always been open book (obviously, because it's at home) which makes it soooo much easier.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing; Geriatrics.

I was very apprehensive before taking my first online computer class this semester. I absolutely LOVE it though! As others have said, you can do the work whenever you want to. You work independently but you can still interact with classmates if you have questions or concerns on the discussion boards. I also really liked having my entire schedule for the semester up front so I could do assignments ahead of time. Because of this class I decided to take two more online classes next semester. I'm very excited! :)

:roll

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Plus, all of my tests have always been open book (obviously, because it's at home) which makes it soooo much easier.

Well-crafted open book tests can be very hard. My take home A&P tests (not online) took 3+ hours each, IF you'd studied ahead of time.

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Well-crafted open book tests can be very hard. My take home A&P tests (not online) took 3+ hours each, IF you'd studied ahead of time.

I agree. A lot of my tests have been proctored though. I have to go to campus for all of my online classes for any tests (at least so far).

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