Taking Online classes for the first time this fall?

Question

I have never taken any online classes before. I'm going to college at I.U.P.U.I in Indiana and I switched majors last semester to Labor Studies. All of the classes for this major is online.

Have you ever taken an online class?

If so, please give me your opinion on the subject.

Is there anything I need to know, going into an online classroom?

Which do you like better, Online or Regular classes?

Any other information would be quite useful as well. Please and Thank you in advance =]

- Eureka!

Answer 1

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its important to be very motivated and self-directed.  

you need to be comfortable with the software used for your distance learning courses

you need to be comfortable emailing, chatting, posting to discussion boards

Answer 2

* Have you ever taken an online class?

Yes, many.

* If so, please give me your opinion on the subject.

Just like classroom courses, some are great and some stink.  Some subjects are much better suited to online study then others.  Courses that require a lot of reading and writing on your own time are great online.  Courses that require hands-on learning are a bit of a challenge.  I've found that, generally, an online section is more difficult than the same course in classroom section.  I've also found that I learn more because I'm forced to truly read the texts.

*  Is there anything I need to know, going into an online classroom?

Make sure you know how to use the course portal application.  Make sure you are tech literate and that you have a computer with the power to handle whatever applications are needed and a very reliable internet connection.  Do everything that you can to avoid getting behind, an online class is not the place to procrastinate.  Nobody will remind you of assignment deadlines, stay organized.  Honestly participate in discussions and exercises and you'll get the most from class.

Do not go into the class thinking that online=easy.  That's a sure way to not do well.  Also make sure you read the assignments, it's hard to fake your way through these when there aren't any lectures.

*  Which do you like better, Online or Regular classes?

For courses that are appropriate content, I much prefer online classes.  I don't need a graduate assistant to read a book to me and I can study text material on my own just fine.  Some courses (maths and sciences for example) are better done in the classroom - availability of labs is important and some instructor intervention is inevitable in these types.