The Chronicle of Higher Education reports a 17% rise in students enrolling in online education between 2007 and 2008, with one in four college students enrolled in an online class (Parry 2011). If you are a college student considering whether e-learning, also known as online education or online coursework, is right for you, here are some factors to consider before you enroll.
Online Education Requires Self-Motivation and Discipline
In a traditional classroom, students show up to class. In a virtual classroom, attendance requires not only regular log-ins at the student's convenience, but also meeting consistent deadlines for many online learners.
If you are self-motivated and can set your own deadlines, online learning may be right for you. Sometimes it's difficult to get motivated without having to go anywhere for class, yet that motivation is essential to succeed in e-learning.
Procrastination, which plagues many students, can be especially difficult online, because there is no one, except an email or announcement from the professor if you are lucky, to remind you to submit work or complete an assignment on time.
Another challenge is making the time to do the work for an online class. Many non-traditional students embrace online learning to earn a degree between the work and the family. If you do not have the family or social support to manage your home and family while you're online or studying three to ten hours a week per class, you may not have time for college online or otherwise.
Reliable Internet Access Essential for College E-Learning
As an online college instructor, I groan every time a student sends me an email, "I didn't get my assignment done because I don't have access to the Internet." It's like saying to a professor, "I couldn't walk into the lecture hall so I didn't take the test."
Reliable Internet access is a basic requirement to take an online class because the course itself is online. Many colleges require that students correspond with the instructor and each other through school email accounts, accessed online. The instructor sends out emails to remind the class of deadlines, indicate changes in classroom policy, and offer updates on grading and major assignments. If Internet access is a problem, online learning may not be for you.
Basic Computer Literacy Essential for Online Learning Success
Online students download lectures and video clips, upload papers, post in discussion boards, and engage the instructor via chat. Online instructors email, upload video lectures, and even blog to teach and engage students.
Online students must not only know how to use the Internet, but also be comfortable with accessing and sharing various types of information electronically. Many schools require students to pass a computer literacy test before beginning online learning. If computer knowledge may be a block for you, contact your school for further support.
Affordability May be a Factor for Some Online College Students
Fees for community college and undergraduate online education are usually the school's tuition plus online learning and education fees. In addition, the student is responsible for acquiring the technology and software necessary to succeed in the course.
In some courses, the textbook may be included for free as a download, but in others a hard copy text may be required for an additional fee. Though the online student will undoubtedly save on room, board, and the commute, exploring the cost of online education before enrolling is always wise.
A People Person May Struggle in Online Courses
While online courses work for many students, those who learn best through personal connection may struggle to learn online. Posting to a discussion board without human faces may seem cold and distant, and wanting to ask a question with a time delay for an answer may impede the learning process.
There are ways to bridge the connection gap in online learning, such as befriending students with similar interests in the class, making an impression on the instructor, and taking an online class with a friend from the real world. If you learn best through human interaction, however, online learning may take extra work and effort.
Assertiveness Essential to Succeed as an Online College Student
In an online classroom, the instructor is not physically present all of the time. Some instructors offer online office hours via chat, Facebook, or another media. Others do not. If a student does not reach out with concerns or questions, she may find herself quickly lagging behind.
Assertiveness is an essential skill for online learning. Not only will a student have to battle technology to download files, upgrade existing software to access course materials and more, but he must assert his learning needs when they arise.
Many schools require instructors and tech support staff to be available weekends to meet students' needs. If the student does not assert himself, however, no amount of support in the world will help.
Online learning is a growing trend that works well for many students, given its convenience and increased availability at the community colleage and university level. Before enrolling in an online course, however, consider whether this mode of learning suits your schedule, technology savvy, and personality before you enroll.
For more on e-learning for college students, How To Succeed in an Online Class: Tips for E-learners may be of interest.
Sources
- Parry, James. "The Wired Campus Blog for January 10, 2010." Chronicle of HIgher Education's website. Accessed September 2011.
Melissa Roberts - A trained hospital chaplain, Melissa is a freelance writer, teacher, retreat leader, and spiritual director.
