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I loved them. I took 3 business courses online. I had to meet one professor for a coffee hour. Basically you have a classroom message board section and when you have an assignment turning it in usually requires posting it to the message board and critiquing a classmates work. I had to do a 62 page marketing plan for one of those classes so by no means are they simply slacker classes. Its just as much work but you post it online. Exams are online too. For me, they were usually timed and either multiple choice or short answer. Essay were submitted separately. It was nice to be able to use the class material and books on the exam but because the tests are timed you still have to know your stuff. I liked them because most assignments are due at 11pm so you have a lot of time to go to work or sleep in.
OK, I just went back after 18 years and have just a few classes to go. I am taking 2 challenging courses, however, I love it!
I am attending Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL where I went before. There are discussion and chat boards. There are assignment boards; you can e-mail; you can have a private chat. I also have access to video and lectures that I can listen to over and over.
I can honestly tell you if this had been there 18 years ago, I would have finished (driving was an issue for me) and life would have been a lot easier for me. I love what I am learning and there are students in my class from the Bahamas, Ohio, Connecticut, etc. - all ages and backgrounds and I am finding that liberating, fascinating and inspiring.
This is actually an area that relates to my work so I'm interested in people's views. Has anyone participated in "virtual classroom" sessions of the type where it's synchronous (real time) rather than asynchronous like message boards, so you can all hear each other and maybe see the tutor? You might also be able to type on whiteboard screens and use voting buttons.
Also interested in what people find better for this sort of thing - message boards or instant-messaging?
Not trying to hijack, Artsyguy, hope you don't mind - just also interested in people's experiences!
One CAN learn from online courses - many are not plain-n-simple gut courses to boost a GPA. Of course there are some that are fluffy easy -- but so are some courses one can take physically sitting in a class.
I've taken a number of online courses from both virtual universities as well as brick-n-mortar. I've never had a virtual classroom in which cams have been used, but I've taken classes that were all "lag time" type (message boards, emails) and others that were a combination of "lag time" and "real time" (chat sessions). The latter scenario is what I prefer. I like being able to do my assignments at whatever time of day suits me. I like the specifically-timed chat sessions with the teacher/professor and fellow students. Great discussions would ensue. I would never want a virtual classroom because I certainly do not want anyone seeing me with bed-head and in PJs (my typical appearance as I do my school work :-)
One CAN learn from online courses - many are not plain-n-simple gut courses to boost a GPA. Of course there are some that are fluffy easy -- but so are some courses one can take physically sitting in a class.
I've taken a number of online courses from both virtual universities as well as brick-n-mortar. I've never had a virtual classroom in which cams have been used, but I've taken classes that were all "lag time" type (message boards, emails) and others that were a combination of "lag time" and "real time" (chat sessions). The latter scenario is what I prefer. I like being able to do my assignments at whatever time of day suits me. I like the specifically-timed chat sessions with the teacher/professor and fellow students. Great discussions would ensue. I would never want a virtual classroom because I certainly do not want anyone seeing me with bed-head and in PJs (my typical appearance as I do my school work :-)
Interesting that you prefer the real-time stuff, I think I do too. Do you have any sort of policy to stop everyone writing at the same time?
Message boards have their place for things you might want to think about and write longer comments I should think.
We only broadcast the tutor by webcam, not the students, although that's probably a cost thing!
Interesting that you prefer the real-time stuff, I think I do too. Do you have any sort of policy to stop everyone writing at the same time?
Most of my real-time classes had 10-15 students. The largest was, I think, about 30 students. The real-time sessions were a typical chat room a la instant messaging. Replies would end up on the screen in the order they were sent, so sometimes a discussion would go off on a new tangent before my reply would be visible. That would usually lead to two discussions going on at the time, but it honestly wasn't confusing at all.
Message boards have their place for things you might want to think about and write longer comments I should think.
Yes, exactly.
We only broadcast the tutor by webcam, not the students, although that's probably a cost thing!
With the tutor by webcam, are there real-time responses he/she can see or is it strictly a lecture during which students, at their computers, take notes?
I earned my Masters in Computer Science from American Sentinel University (www.americansentinel.edu). I was very pleased with the progrm. It was very challenging and potential employers never gave the degree any less consideration.
Make sure that the progam is legitimate and accredited however.
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Online classes
Online classes are a viable alternative now
