Introduction To Online Learning

You've decided to try out online learning as an alternative to a traditional classroom, but you're not quite sure what to expect. You've heard about how it is different but you've never experienced it for yourself and you're not sure what it means for you as a student.

Welcome to the wonderful world of online learning. Let me show you how it works, clear up some common misconceptions, and explore some differences that you will encounter when taking classes online compared to a traditional classroom.

How Does It Work?

In an online class, your instruction is delivered over the Internet rather than in person. Your teacher will use a virtual classroom to post course materials, have online discussions, and post assignments. You will also have access to an interactive online classroom through Zoom where you will be able to meet your teacher and other classmates face-to-face.

Common Myths

Online learning is not new, but it has become more and more popular over the last few years. However, there are many misconceptions that currently exist and have gotten in the way of some students who then found it difficult to complete their online class successfully. No one wants that to happen, so let's make sure we have a clear idea of what you can expect from online learning.

Online School Is Easier

Many people have the misconception that taking an online class is way easier than taking the same class in a traditional classroom. They think that you don't have to go to class and all you have to do is hand in assignments, then you're done.

The truth is, the workload for any particular class is the same regardless of the way it's delivered. When you think about it, in an online environment, you need to be more self-disciplined and motivated because you won't be face-to-face with your instructor all the time.

Online classes do give you some flexibility to learn when you're ready and able to learn and this can be a really positive aspect of online learning. Whether you decide to take your classes in a traditional setting or an online setting, one option is not really going to be easier than the other. It's all about finding the best fit for your life, your time, and your habits.

Online Participation

The misconception here is that in an online class, students can fly under the radar and won't need to participate. In reality this is far from true. In PACeS online classes, you are required to spend time in an online classroom with your teacher and other students. You will be asked to participate in discussions and activities. Online class sizes are small enough that a teacher will be able to see if you participate or not.

If you choose not to participate in your online classes, you can expect your teacher to reach out to you and your parents about it.

Technical Skills

Many individuals are under the impression that because they spend a lot of time on social media and/or messaging friends that they have the technical skills required for an online class.

Now, online learning doesn't require extensive technical knowledge, however you need to have a basic understanding of your computer, the Internet, and programs that your teacher will ask you to use for assignments (ex. G Suite/Google Classroom).

Communication

Email can be sent in seconds and everyone knows that teachers check their email all the time right? So if a student doesn't understand something or has a last-minute question about an assignment they can email and get an immediate response, right?

I think this is probably one of the most prevalent misconceptions out there. Online teachers generally have large numbers of students that they work with and because of that, they tackle a large amount of emails each day from students as well as parents. It is unreasonable to expect an immediate response. The average time you can expect for a teacher to respond is between 24 - 48 hours.

So, as a student, you need to make sure that you are planning ahead as much as possible and be sure to have an alternate solution if you don't hear back from your teacher before an assignment is due.