I'm taking five online classes this year at Triton College. This is my first time taking online classes and my first semester in college. I didn't know what to expect when I signed up for them. Some of the counselors questioned me when I said I wanted to take online classess. Most of them said "It's really hard". I figured as much, since you have no one actually forcing you to do work or read something. But I had no choice whether to take online or in the classroom classes because I live out-of-state.
Online classes are much, much, more different then in the classroom classes. For online classes it takes, hard work, self motivation, and lots of dedicated time. In the classroom classes just take showing up, listening to lectures, and doing the work/homework they assign to you. Much easier right? Well not necessarliy, I find that online classes are much easier than in the classroom classes, because for a few reasons. One, you don't have to work up early to go to school and do work. You can wake up whenever you want and go to sleep whenever you want, as long as you get the work done. Second, you don't have to go anywhere! (except to take exams for some classes) You can sit in your pajamas, be naked, whatever you want! You can take bathroom breaks whenever, eat whenever, much more freedom then a regular class. Third, there seems to be less work online than there is in a regular classroom. I can get about a weeks worth of work done for two classes in about a day. But that takes ALL day for me to do so. But it's nice cause I don't have to worry about as much later in the week. Fourth, more time with your professors! A regular traditional class last about 45 mins or so and has 30 students. Include in working time and most students don't have a chance to talk to their professor on a personal level. On online classes, you can basically talk to your professor at anytime, anywhere. You usually have an answer very within asking it. One downfall to online classes is that if your computer breaks you are in deep trouble unless you find a new one. If you fall behind in work, it is going to take a lot of hard work to catch back up. And I mean a lot.
Overall I enjoy online classes more as of now, but personally I rather be with other students and the teacher face to face.
If anyone has taken both online and traditional classes, which do you prefer the most and why?
I have taken traditional classes and I had mixed feelings about them. Sometimes it was the teacher, other times it was the size of the class, but regardless of what the reason I felt like something was missing. When I decided to take online classes all that changed. Right away I knew that it was something for me. I was able to take my time and make myself understand everything when I was ready. Because like you said with online classes you do your work when you want to, so things such as feeling sick or being tired could be worked around. Also like you stated, the teacher is there for you all the time if necessary, many professors let you get in contact with them trough email or even phone. One fallback is that I believe that online classes are much much harder then traditional classes. There is usually lots of reading followed by even more writing, where you have to teach yourself and on top of that stay motivated. Even though online classes carry all that hard work I would still pick them over traditional classes. But I must say that I do miss the interaction with other students.
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