Online courses vs. traditional courses, What is your preference? Options

[Chrissy K]

In this fast paced world, I know that a lot of students (myself included) are concerned about graduating in time, while balancing the rest of our lives. So the recently new idea of taking online courses often seems like an easy way out!

As much as I like the sound of taking an online course, I have not been able to take one through Buff State yet but given the opportunity to, I definitely would... mostly just to save time. I have heard negative things from other students, but I would like to see for myself anyway!

So if anyone has taken online courses, either at Buff State or through another college, what was your experience with them like? What are some pros and cons of taking online courses?

I think the reason online courses may not be offered so much yet is because it takes so much effort for professors to put the program together, but if you ask me, it is worth it because once it is developed, it can be used over and over... much better than teaching a class for 3 hours a week every semester!

What other arguements have you heard for or against online classes?

[Catherine]

I have taken online courses at another college and my experience was a bad one. I am hoping this time around my experience will be a good one. Both me and my husband will be taking 2 courses online and 2 courses on campus in the fall.

I think it is a great help to those who have to work around a schedule like me and my husband. With work and a 1 yr old it is difficult for us to go to school, although we are doing it, I wish more classes were offered online to help our schedule be easier.

I think certain classes are a good candidate for online:

General education and more lecture courses, but obviously there are just some courses that need and should be taught on campus. I believe Math is certainly one of them

Honestly there are so many pro's and cons, that it really does come down to the course and the teacher and how well it is planned out and taught. It is more difficult to have class discussions online.

[Chrissy K]

I have taken online courses at another college and my experience was a bad one. I am hoping this time around my experience will be a good one. Both me and my husband will be taking 2 courses online and 2 courses on campus in the fall.

I think it is a great help to those who have to work around a schedule like me and my husband. With work and a 1 yr old it is difficult for us to go to school, although we are doing it, I wish more classes were offered online to help our schedule be easier.

I think certain classes are a good candidate for online:

General education and more lecture courses, but obviously there are just some courses that need and should be taught on campus. I believe Math is certainly one of them

Honestly there are so many pro's and cons, that it really does come down to the course and the teacher and how well it is planned out and taught. It is more difficult to have class discussions online.

Very interesting! I think it is good that you are giving online classes a second chance... what made the online courses difficult the first time that you had a bad experience? Was it a math class hahaha because I definitely agree math needs to be in person.

It is also interesting that you say that it is more difficult to have class discussions online because some people I have talked to said it is actually a way for people who wouldn't normally speak up in class to actually get their voice heard for once... also does participating in the discussions or not affect your grade?

Do you think the loss of a personal connection between students and teachers as well as other students really has an effect on your grade and your overall experience with the class? Just something to think about...

Thanks for sharing!

[Nikman]

I have taken online courses at other college and BSC. I enjoyed them. While you miss the interaction, you can get a lot done if you put your mind to it. Summer courses are compressed but I find them easier. I have met people afterward and its been positive

I tend to get a lot done during the summer.

Very interesting! I think it is good that you are giving online classes a second chance... what made the online courses difficult the first time that you had a bad experience? Was it a math class hahaha because I definitely agree math needs to be in person.

It is also interesting that you say that it is more difficult to have class discussions online because some people I have talked to said it is actually a way for people who wouldn't normally speak up in class to actually get their voice heard for once... also does participating in the discussions or not affect your grade?

Do you think the loss of a personal connection between students and teachers as well as other students really has an effect on your grade and your overall experience with the class? Just something to think about...

Thanks for sharing!

[Catherine]

I think the courses are great for level 100 classes, maybe even level 200 but once you start getting upper division courses, you want to ensure you are in the classroom to get a good handle on the information in case you need any help.

My bad experience was with a college completely online (currently in class lawsuit) the education was no more than here read this book, post a discussion and you get an A. I walked out of each of the courses not really knowing more than when I walked in.

There is a place and a huge market for online courses, but it needs to be done correctly. certain classes should never be done online, lol.

[Chrissy K]

I think the courses are great for level 100 classes, maybe even level 200 but once you start getting upper division courses, you want to ensure you are in the classroom to get a good handle on the information in case you need any help.

My bad experience was with a college completely online (currently in class lawsuit) the education was no more than here read this book, post a discussion and you get an A. I walked out of each of the courses not really knowing more than when I walked in.

There is a place and a huge market for online courses, but it needs to be done correctly. certain classes should never be done online, lol.

I can definitely see where you are coming from... that would be really frustrating!

[Jenniferr]

To understand better students' preferences for enrollment in online courses over face-to-face courses, the individual difference variables of sex, age category, class level, work status, number of distance education courses taken, and frequency of computing technology usage, comfort with course management software, and comfort with computing technology were examined. Analysis indicated that older students, women, and those who work full time were more likely to enroll in online courses. Those who had taken the most distance education courses in the past and women were more likely to express a stated preference for distance education over face-to-face classes.

[ABBEYA]

I've taken a handfull of online courses here at Buff State. They have been 200 level and above. Let me warn you, they are not cake walks! They are rather time consuming. Every online class I have taken in my college career has involved more work (reading, videos, projects, activities, quizzes, exams, discussions) than any on-campus class. On the other hand, the grading way more lenient with the online classes; there was so much more work that your grade wasn't just based on a couple exams. The online classes are definitely beneficial because you can work from home, but you must prepare yourself because they are a lot of work. I'm taking an online class this semester, a gen-ed, in which it takes me between 5-7 solid hours a week to complete that week's assignments.

[Chrissy K]

I finally took an online course this semester and thought I'd share my thoughts with everyone...

I have to agree with what people have been saying - it is not as easy as you'd like to think! I think I spent more time doing work for the online class than any other class. I think I would rather just go to class and get it over with and have a reasonable amount of homework than try to teach everything to myself. I thought it would give me more time for other classes since I'd be able to do the online class on my own time, but the trick is you have to be able to make time for it!

[m327]

I have taken many online classes b/c personal health issue (plus I work a lot although my employer allows me to work remote) There's way more to do for online classes! I had no problem with 1 or 2 online along with on-campus classes but I could not keep up with all of the "paper submits" for 3 online classes in one semester. A typical online class includes: weekly discussion board comment w/2 responses, weekly 1-2 page video(s) review, weekly 1-2 page chapter assnmt IN ADDITION TO the usual 3-4 exams and possible projects.