Students unfamiliar with distance education may be asking themselves “How do online classes work?” The reality is that classes are laid out online much the same way they would be in a classroom; it’s just that students don’t have to travel to that classroom to take part. Here is a general overview of what students can expect when taking an online class, from getting started to the basics of completing assignments online.
Logging On
- To get started with an online class, students will need a newer computer, a reliable internet connection and the software required. Once these requirements have been met, students can start completing coursework.
Listening to and Reading Lecture Material
- Just as if you were in a regular classroom, your course will begin by listening to or reading lectures from your professor, which is usually recorded and uploaded onto the main site or presented as a text or slideshow document. Depending on the course, students may need to listen to or read lectures every day or just once or twice a week. Just like in any other class, students should be taking notes as they go.
Completing Assignments
- Some assignments for class may need to be completed online. Students will usually be able to find a section on their course management software where these assignments can be found. Some will need to be completed online and some off. All will come with deadlines and students will need to make sure to upload or complete the work before the deadline if they want to get credit. Most courses will combine shorter assignments with a larger long-term assignment that will be due at the end of the semester, sometimes taking the place of a final exam. Students can also expect to be assigned reading material which they will find online or will need to purchase.
Engaging in Discussion
- Nearly all online colleges will require students to engage in weekly discussions with the rest of the class, the professor or both. This may mean posting to a discussion board or participating in group chats held at a specific date and time. There may be a prompt for students to respond to or students may be asked to come up with their own discussion topics. It will vary by class and the preference of the professor.
- Listening to and reading lectures, doing homework, handing in papers and talking with your peers – it doesn’t sound so different than any traditional class. In reality, the experience most students have with online education is very similar to attending courses on campus. If you have any questions about how your online school holds courses, ask administrators or check out their website to get a preview and familiarize yourself before you start taking classes.
“Online learning is a challenging but extremely rewarding way to achieve an array of qualifications – there are online options for everything from certificates to PhDs. Once surrounded by stigma, online education is now a respected way to achieve a recognized qualification. With courses available in almost every subject, and flexible timetables to suit almost every schedule, students are increasingly turning to online learning as a viable alternative to campus study. It could allow you to study abroad remotely, at a university not in your home country.
Advances in technology now allow students to study entirely online while still socializing with classmates, watching lectures and participating in subject-specific discussions. While some consider online learning to require a greater degree of self-motivation, institutions nowadays recognize that pastoral support is just as important as tutor feedback, and take great care to ensure that their students receive the same levels of support that they would receive on campus.”
