Online course...Yay or Nay?

PurrRN · Mar 19, 2007

The one thing I learned about taking online classess is that you must be extremely organized and faithful about getting online, posting your responses, and getting your work done. It can be easy to forget about until the last minute, and that will make your efforts unsuccessful. I also have felt that I put in more work in online classess than in traditional face to face classess. It seems like they think they need to pile up more busy work because you don't actually attend class. These are just my experiences though.

Having said that, I have traversed several online classess successfully and if I needed to get a class that was otherwise unavailable to me, I would take one again. Just be prepared, organized and proactive in your postings and assignments. Plus, sociology wasn't too extremely hard for me when I took it. Definitely easier than micro, and for me easier than any level of math.

Good luck.

DaughterofRuth · Mar 19, 2007

Why does your advisor not want you to take an online class? I've taken Eng 101, College Algebra, Psych 101, and am now taking Soc 101 online. As I have a heavy work schedule which makes it difficult to take in-person classes, online classes have worked very well for me. You do have to be very organized and keep up with the syllabus and quiz/test schedule, but as I see it you have to do that in an in-person class anyway so what's the difference?

Sippy · Mar 19, 2007

I love online classes. Since I live in a rural area and work full-time w/3 kids, it gave me the oppourtunity to knock some of those pre-req's out of the way at my own pace. I have taken Eng Comp, Nutrition, Human Growth and Development and Agebra and gotten a 4.0 in each of these.

There is a rhythm to every class. You have a calendar and usually it's the same thing every week. You have one or two chapters to read. There will be a discussion topic or questions to be answered in the discussion area that have to be posted by, say Thursday and you have to respond to other peoples posts there for a participation grade. There will usually be a short quiz that will be due by maybe Friday. The exams may be over each chapter or 2-3 chapters put together.

Online classes don't get so much in the way of life. You can put your kids to bed at night and then sit down to do your work. You can get up early in the morning and get it done. And lets not forget, everything is pretty much open book. Just stay on top of that calander.

I just completed my first quarter of Nursing School and I took the Human Growth and development online, in addition to my Nursing classes at the college. Worked out really nice. The online classes were even cheaper for me, than the classes I attended. Figure that one out. I really encourage you to do it.

Sippy

zena231 · Mar 19, 2007

I've really liked all my online courses. Like most of the others said, you just have to be organized. And you do have to put a lot of time into it, but the difference is you get to chose when to do it so it's much more convenient. My helpful hint-find a calendar that you look at every day and at the beginning of the quarer put every due date on it(tests,homework, discussion boards) that way you will always be able to see when things are due and adequately allocate your time.

LMRN10 · Mar 19, 2007

For me, online courses worked out well because I work full-time and I have an 18 month old daughter at home, so it allowed me more time at home.

You definitely need to make sure your self-disciplined! And like the other posters said, make sure you participate in the discussion boards and post often...that'll be a big part.

Just an FYI, obviously the tests are open book and in my experience, they aren't very easy...not as easy as you would think anyway, being open book! Just make sure you read the chapters.

Don't overload yourself with classes over the summer either - 3 in a summer semester seems like an awful lot...for me anyway! But I am also a part-timer...full-time job and mom. Maybe that is not the case with your schedule.

sunnyjohn · Mar 19, 2007

I LOVE online classes. As someone who enjoys school and learning about new things (my parents call me a lifetime student) I am thrilled that colleges are making it easier for people to study this way. I am a "reader" so I learn best on my own with a textbook and peaceful environment.

Sometimes online classes can be very easy. Sometimes the instructors will pile on the work to make up for the lack of face time.

The trick is to stay ahead of the work. Online learning requires you to be self-motivated and stay organised.

Good luck!

HikingNinja, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Mar 19, 2007

I agree. I also love online/distance learning courses. You just have to be organized and disciplined to do the work. Have you looked at taking this class online at another college if your advisor is concerned about the one offered at your school? Here's a good one

http://www.qcc.mass.edu/psychology/new_page_2.htm

It's a mastery course which means you keep studying and taking the tests over and over again until you get the grade you want. Not many colleges have courses like that and you'll be guaranteed to get an A.

Dee

krenee · Mar 19, 2007

I have taken online classes for awhile now (out of necessity) and I didn't realize how much I loved them until I took an in-person class! I love the flexibility of the online class - that is, being able to do my work when I have time.

But it can't be stressed enough, that you have to be really, really self disciplined. If you get behind, it's a problem! So really, know yourself, and whether you can be self disciplined enough to stay with the schedule.

Kelly

SweetGurl · Mar 20, 2007

I took an online course for the first time during this winter session to get Psychology Life Span out of the way. Honestly, I was scared and wasn't sure because I have been a in class person all my life. The online class wasn't bad. You need to be faitfully and have time management. I was doing alot readings and taking test twice a week. I also had a chance to email the professor if I didn't understand a section before she gave a test. For the part it was a good experience and I was able to organize myself bewteen work, class, and other responsibilities.

UNCNurseWannaB · Mar 21, 2007

I think a sociology class online would be fine. I took my first online classes this semester, and it was(is) quite an adjustment for me. It is very easy to put things off until the last minute, and then find yourself rushing through the work, not fully understanding.

The only class I would say DO NOT take online is math. I'm taking statistics online, and doing fine - but it is a lot of work. I basically have to teach myself everything... I wouldn't recommend it.

But, sociology should be fine - GOOD LUCK

MrsBradyMom · Mar 21, 2007

Ok, you all have talked me into it. However, if I screw up my GPA I am hunting ALL of you down!:rotfl:

I am very good at time mangement, have to be, we have 6 kids. I am confident I can put forth the effort to study and do whats required. What bothers me is that I seem to learn best in a traditional classroom.

Thanks for all your advice!