The online college has been around for decades. Yet, many still don’t know how online courses work. Suppose you are looking into shifting to an online class but are unsure due to a lack of information. Then you are in the right place for A Student’s Guide To Online College: How Does It Work?
Online class, also known as distance learning, is an educational setup where students and their teachers meet in the virtual world. What is the virtual world? The world is within the internet, so many turn to distance learning—accessibility.
A Student’s Guide To Online College
Since classes in distance learning are online, students can join their classes anywhere in the world for as long as they have a computer and an internet connection. Today’s technology even makes it possible to attend online courses via smartphone or tablet.
Much like traditional classes, online classes consist of lectures and assessments. These lectures can be video recordings, or modules students can browse. Assessments are also an essential part of this educational system. It gauges a student’s knowledge of the subject, giving the teacher an idea of how to proceed for the best results. Students can complete these assessments on their own time.
What is the structure of an online class?
Most online courses are accessed via a learning management system or LMS. The LMS is a virtual portal that students can access through the school’s site to check their grades, view the syllabus, or contact professors or other students. Distance learning is the same as traditional classes, except that classes are online.
Are students required to have in-person components?
In-person activities vary from school to school. While some require students to join and complete team-building activities, others may require students to attend a campus residency during the program.
How long do online courses last?
Some online courses follow the traditional semester-based schedule that many traditional classes offer. Some, however, may divide the school year into more minor terms. For instance, online courses can be structured into seven-and-a-half-week sessions instead of the usual 14-week semesters.
Do students take proctored exams?
This is where it gets tricky. Exams can be harder to monitor mainly because it is happening online. But in some cases, students may need to take proctored exams in a local testing site where an on-site proctor can monitor the assessment. Alternatively, students can take exams virtually, where the professor monitors them through a webcam.
What should students know before actually enrolling in an online course?
Students looking to shift to distance learning can visit the school’s admissions page for further information about the online courses they offer. It is also essential to understand the program’s requirements they are interested in, considering there might be a higher threshold for some majors than general admissions.
Another article by ClubOnlineCollege: First Timers In An Online College: Tips For University Students
Don’t forget our sponsors; they need love too.