What Exactly are Online Courses?

When your advisor suggested taking a hybrid or online course, you jumped at the opportunity! After all, it fit your schedule and meant you'd only have to come to class one day a week in the case of a hybrid or not at all if the course was remote. SCORE! Half the work or less, right? If that's why you signed up for this course, this unit will really burst your bubble.

Online Courses Defined:

• An online or distance education course is conducted entirely and exclusively via the course management system (CMS) accessible from the Internet. The online format is the primary method to deliver the course materials. Communication and interaction occur online between faculty and students. All assessment of student work is conducted online.

For those who prefer to read the slides and presentation transcript, click here for the original powerpoint and notes.

Myths and Preconceptions:

• There are a lot of myths and preconceptions about online learning that should be dispelled before commencing an online course. If you believe some of these myths or fallacies, you might be in trouble!

• View this helpful YouTube video on online learning produced by California Community Colleges' Online Learning Initiative. After viewing this video, complete the corresponding quiz to test your online learning knowledge.

Benefits of Hybrid and Online Classes: 

1. Lectures are on-demand- By presenting most of the lecture content via the online portions of the class, students can go back and rewatch or review the information they are having difficulty with.

2. Multiple learning styles can be successful- Every student learns differently. Online classes lend themselves to various styles, allowing students to learn audibly (through lectures and recorded material), visually (through slides and presentations usually included in the class), or in a hands-on way by collaborating with classmates in virtual groups.

3. More flexibility than traditional classes- Online classes require time spent in synchronous sessions. Still, the amount of time in the classroom is significantly less than in traditional classes, allowing students to balance work, a social life, childcare, extracurricular activities, or even attending office hours for other classes.

Things to consider:

1. Online courses require strong time management skills- Many of you will find it harder to schedule online work time into your busy lives than you would a face-to-face in-class at a set schedule time.

1. Online classes may be more work- The critical thing to remember is that the online component of the class does NOT COUNT AS HOMEWORK. They replace the class period that you don’t have to attend physically. You will still be expected to complete the same homework as in a traditional class. The general rule is 8-10 hours a week of work for each 3-credit class. An online class would require approximately the same amount of engagement time or more since students often take longer to develop written responses to discussion questions than they would in a verbal discussion during a face-to-face class.

2. Some aspects of online class schedules AREN’T flexible like set due dates, exams, and synchronous meetings or lessons.

3. Online courses require more responsibility and commitment-. If you have trouble setting a schedule that allows you to get everything done or are a master procrastinator, consider whether online classes suit you.