Online College Courses

[BeastRodeo]

I don't know if this is in the right place or not but what's everyone's opinion about online college courses? Like instead of going to classes you do everything right from your computer?

And also what are some careers that ya have and enjoy? I'm looking into going to college but I don't know what for. :???:

[BeastRodeo]

Anyone?

[rickgiblin]

My wife takes all of her classes online... she will only have to take a couple classes on campus. She is working on her BA in Secondary English. Using it as an alternative route for teaching Literature for grades 7-12. Her name on here is Princess12... PM her if you have any questions.

[VWGirl]

I am taking ALL of my classes online... my school is actually in Iowa... I have never been to Iowa. I must say that it is a LOT of writing at my school and it's hella $$$$. you have to be dedicated to do the work... I have an 8 page research paper due on monday and i have yet to start it...

[BeastRodeo]

^ Would you say it's easier, harder, or about the same?

[VWGirl]

It's been a long time since I was in college the first time around... so my situation is different these days. I mean overall it is probably easier cause you do it all on your time, no classes to go to or anything and everything is open book... but there is a LOT of writing... which I don't like so much. I know there was back then too... maybe it just seems like a lot more now since I have so much more going on in my life?

I do it for the convenience and I know I wouldn't attend school otherwise... but I am hating this paper that i still haven't really started!

[BeastRodeo]

I LOVE writing! So that would be a good thing for me! Lol. I might look into that. The school I wanna go to is Full Sail University which is in Florida and there is no way I'm gonna move out of my parents house and pay my own apartment lol. And they offer online courses which is why this question came about.

[LeGeNdaRyLeGeNd]

I took a few online courses for my grad school and it really just depends on teachers and the course really. I don't believe you will find what you like by doing online course cause your not in the environment to get the full potential of the teacher. Also you are basically forced to learn it on your own and often that is not fun. Online courses can be easy and tough. They are easier because of the great flexibility of no classes and to do work whenever you want. Its harder at times because since you do not meet teachers are forced to assign more work to make sure you understand the topic. I had courses over WebCT and we actually met online a couple times a week at noon on certain days to discuss questions etc.. Teachers are almost always at your disposal but with emailing their can be delays which can be hard. I did write a lot but I was in my seminar class for my masters program. I wouldn't say that you write more in online courses because it really depends on the teachers, but their is a lot of factors that you don't get to experience as opposed to a classroom. I would say take the courses in the classroom just because of the ample amounts of questions and various situations that you will never experience outside of the classroom. It's just not the same experience at all. If you are doing online courses because of work, then look into taking classes on weekends only. My masters program was strictly weekends only every other weekend for 5 weeks. I had to be on top of things but it was still a great way of learning. I had class from 5:30pm-10:30pm on friday and 9am-5pm on sat. Which is a long time in the classroom but you accomplish more because you don't just go for an hour then take days off. Everything stays fresh in your mind and you learn what you need to learn those two days then carry on to the next topic the week after.

I got my undergrad in political science and my masters in public administration.
I worked as a supervisor of intramural sports for my university for a couple of years.

I plan on attending law school in the fall so I am not really doing much right now besides preparing for law school.

What kind of things do you enjoy doing it will help to figure out what you want to major in? In my experience college degrees are used but it seems like half of the people I know do not use their degree in the area they majored in. The economy right now just forces you to take a job right now so you wont always need the right degree for a job. Most of the time as long as your in the appropriate area you will be fine.

[BeastRodeo]

I took a few online courses for my grad school and it really just depends on teachers and the course really. I don't believe you will find what you like by doing online course cause your not in the environment to get the full potential of the teacher. Also you are basically forced to learn it on your own and often that is not fun. Online courses can be easy and tough. They are easier because of the great flexibility of no classes and to do work whenever you want. Its harder at times because since you do not meet teachers are forced to assign more work to make sure you understand the topic. I had courses over WebCT and we actually met online a couple times a week at noon on certain days to discuss questions etc.. Teachers are almost always at your disposal but with emailing their can be delays which can be hard. I did write a lot but I was in my seminar class for my masters program. I wouldn't say that you write more in online courses because it really depends on the teachers, but their is a lot of factors that you don't get to experience as opposed to a classroom. I would say take the courses in the classroom just because of the ample amounts of questions and various situations that you will never experience outside of the classroom. It's just not the same experience at all. If you are doing online courses because of work, then look into taking classes on weekends only. My masters program was strictly weekends only every other weekend for 5 weeks. I had to be on top of things but it was still a great way of learning. I had class from 5:30pm-10:30pm on friday and 9am-5pm on sat. Which is a long time in the classroom but you accomplish more because you don't just go for an hour then take days off. Everything stays fresh in your mind and you learn what you need to learn those two days then carry on to the next topic the week after.

I got my undergrad in political science and my masters in public administration.
I worked as a supervisor of intramural sports for my university for a couple of years.

I plan on attending law school in the fall so I am not really doing much right now besides preparing for law school.

What kind of things do you enjoy doing it will help to figure out what you want to major in? In my experience college degrees are used but it seems like half of the people I know do not use their degree in the area they majored in. The economy right now just forces you to take a job right now so you wont always need the right degree for a job. Most of the time as long as your in the appropriate area you will be fine.

Great help! :goodjob:
I honestly don't know what I want to do. That's why I'm trying to see what other people do for a career so I can get some ideas. There's not one thing that I can think of and say "wow I really like this I'm gonna go to college for it."

[LeGeNdaRyLeGeNd]

Its totally fine not to know what you want to go to school for. The first two years of college are basic core classes that every student must take with some flexibility. It allows you to taste and see bits and pieces of every major. You will choose classes in every area and this will help you to see what you want and don't want. Im not sure how the online courses will do the class setup but I still believe they will have some sort of system like this. I know they won't just jump you into major courses because that would be tough.

[Thighs]

how old are you kid?

[Princess12]

Online courses work wonderfully for me! I have a 3 month old little girl, so I am able to stay home with her and complete my classwork at the same time. I am an English major, so my courses require a great deal of reading and writing. Reading is an essential part of online learning. Most of the instructors are not available to give online lectures; therefore, you are responsible for the material. There are usually discussion sessions set up so you and your online classmates can collaborate your thoughts.

You HAVE to be self-motivated to be an online student. It requires a great deal of self-discipline and is not for everyone. Take into consideration communication delays, time management, and your course load.

Not sure how much of a factor finances are; however, enrolling in an out of state school usually means an increase in tuition and student fees. There are several schools in Georgia that offer E-Core. E-core is the 1st 2 years of college completely online. By doing this, you can still use HOPE, if eligible.

Check out: www.georgiaonmyline.org for all online courses/degress offered in Georgia.

[VWGirl]

Speaking of degrees and not using them... I have an Automotive Technology degree I earned back in 01 and I have been in the cell phone biz since 04 (I sell phones for TMO!)... I'm now going back to school to be a teacher... which is what I wanted to do originally but decided I wanted to be an engineer instead... That would be degree #2 (only got the AA part done tho) in 02...

That being said... the "core classes" for 2 year degrees are pretty different between both schools and degrees... yes if you get an AA degree a lot of classes will transfer over as gen ed, but A lot of classes that I took as required courses back in 97-99 at the first school I went to transferred over as gen ed to the second school I went to in 00-02 and a lot of those transferred as gen ed to this school I started at in 08... so all of my "electives" have actually been requirements from other schools... I have not taken any classes that I wanted to take. There were even classes like college algebra that I had to take twice because one school wouldn't recognize the other schools course number as equivalent... and honestly... half of the stuff I took at actual schools I would not have had to take at my online school.

So I know you want to get an education... but I would really think pretty hard about what you want to do FIRST... maybe take one of those tests that matches up your skills and interests with potential jobs? And think about where you want to live... do you want to move for a job? If not then don't go get a degree in something that you'd have to move for.

I really think that I learn a lot more with these online classes than I would going to a class. I tend to space out and doodle and not pay attention to the teacher while I am day dreaming. I have horrible study habits... I have yet to read any of the texts for my online school... I use the index quite a bit to find the subjects that I need and focus on those... but yet I have learned more than I could have imagined I would with this set up

So... someone want to write this paper for me?

[kar906]

byu.edu

[BeastRodeo]

Thanks to everyone that helped (reps). This is definitely something I will have to think about and will consider all the options I have. Thanks again!!!

[gtrmonkey]

Well man I am taking online courses from AU, from Home. The difference is that the information is alot more hunting then telling you what you need to know. And also you don't get the benfit of knowing your professor which helps a ton. Most of the infomation on my online course are given through a School Forum like Blackbloard or Webct. Another big pain is getting a proctor to montior your exams. But other than that it great and gives me a lot more flexibitly then I would normally have.

[ahabion]

I'm taking online courses right now thru Devry.

I find online courses to be much harder for this very simple fact: Self Discipline

If you do not have that, online courses is NOT for you. With online courses, you need to discipline yourself to read the chapters, do the homework, participate in discussions on the forum, etc. In a classroom, you just listen to the instructor lecture, follow along in the book, take notes, and participate by speaking. Online courses are simply more manageable for those who find it hard to balance their already busy schedules. Especially if they work full time, wife/husband and kids... online courses are definitely a saving grace for those of us who already have too much on our plate but yet still want learn or get a better education/degree.

Not to say that you can't do online courses, just remember that you NEED self-discipline in order to fully benefit from the course. You can do the minimum and probably still pass, but if thats the case, why bother paying the money to go to school if you're only wanting to do the minimum? Hope that helps.

[integraboi88]

I'm taking online courses right now thru Devry.

I find online courses to be much harder for this very simple fact: Self Discipline

If you do not have that, online courses is NOT for you. With online courses, you need to discipline yourself to read the chapters, do the homework, participate in discussions on the forum, etc. In a classroom, you just listen to the instructor lecture, follow along in the book, take notes, and participate by speaking. Online courses are simply more manageable for those who find it hard to balance their already busy schedules. Especially if they work full time, wife/husband and kids... online courses are definitely a saving grace for those of us who already have too much on our plate but yet still want learn or get a better education/degree.

Not to say that you can't do online courses, just remember that you NEED self-discipline in order to fully benefit from the course. You can do the minimum and probably still pass, but if thats the case, why bother paying the money to go to school if you're only wanting to do the minimum? Hope that helps.

I really agree. I took online courses a while back due to my work schedule. I passed the courses but I didn't learn a thing. If you have good work ethics and self descipline it shouldn't be a problem.

[AirMax95]

Online classes work for certain majors and certain classes. Honestly, I would advise taking a flex undergrad in a classroom as a part time student if you need more time for work. If you just want to sit home and study from your computer becuase you are lazy, you will fail. If you don't fail, you will only memorize answers and write crap papers due to your lack of preparation. The degree you earn will not help you when you interview for a job. If you can't talk the talk you will get the blank stare.

If you are in Atlanta, take about 5 days and visit Georgia State. Go to each department and schedule a meeting with a department head to discuss the offerings and see if anything catches your attention. Reading descriptions online is about 50% BS.