Online Learning Myths

Myth 1: An online class is easier than a face to face class.

This class may take more time than a face to face class. Instead of sitting and talking in a class, you will be reading modules and writing discussions. In a typical class you would attend three hours a week, spend another 3-6 hours or more reading the text and doing homework. In this online class you should be prepared to spend at least that much time each week online.  If it is a short-term or summer/winter class, you should spend significantly more time each week than a typical full-term class.

The good news is that an online class may take more time, but it is more convenient. You may take the class anywhere you can find an Internet connection any time of day or night. This means you can study at the coffee shop, the library, outdoors, at a friends, or in a far away place from home.  You can run a load of laundry, you can wear your p.j.'s, you can eat, you can drink.  All those things you cannot do in the classroom.

Myth 2: I can do my school work at entirely my own pace.

You do have a lot of freedom when and where you do your class work. You can work in the morning or late at night, but there will be deadlines for discussions and assignments so you will have to follow a schedule. You need self discipline, but you still have some flexibility when you go online to do your work.

I hope this class will be so interesting that you will eagerly join us online and participate in the activities.

Logging in once a week will likely result in a much lower grade.  What if, instead you login daily even if on some days you only login for 10 minutes to see what's happening?  With this method, you will likely feel more connected, less stressed, and more on top of your work in the class.