Is Taking an Online Class Right for You?

Taking a class online has both advantages and disadvantages. Online courses can help you reach your educational goals more quickly:

If your job hours vary and have kept you from attending class in the past or have caused you to drop out, you can work at hours which are convenient for you.

If you have missed class because you have trouble getting reliable transportation to and from campus.

If you have children and are unable to find child care so you can come to campus.

And, of course, online classes are fuel-efficient:

But, success in an online class requires some special preparation by you. Do not assume that an online class will be easier or take less time just because you don't have to come to the campus. You will still be expected to "attend" class and participate on a regular basis.

Technology Requirements

You must have access to a computer that can utilize GeorgiaVIEW.

If you experience difficulties logging into GeorgiaVIEW, please email or call The HUB at (678) 466-HELP.

An online student needs to be comfortable using a computer, locating information, taking quizzes, participating in discussions, and sending and receiving email. You don't need to be a computer expert, but it won't work if you're a novice either.

Personality Requirements

Since you will not have a scheduled set of class meetings to attend, you must be a self-motivated individual. It's easy to forget to check into the class site or email and ignore the whole thing. The instructor will not be standing in front of you reminding you of what you need to do to pass the class. It works best to set up a schedule for yourself to do the class work on specific days and times. Taking a class that you really have to have to get your degree makes it easier. Unfortunately, you have to take a History class.

You also need to be able to work on your own. The instructor and other students will be available by email and phone, so you're not entirely on your own. But sometimes there can be a delay in getting an answer. You will be reading materials and figuring things out independently. Some people prefer to work this way. If you need the immediate feedback of your fellow students and instructor, an online class is NOT for you.

Time Commitment

Taking a course online is not easier or faster. It will take as much time as taking a face-to-face class or more. If you normally go to class 3 hours per week per course, you will need to devote that same amount of time to your online course. In addition to online time, you should be prepared to spend time studying and working with course materials several hours per week offline. It will be helpful to set aside regular study time when you can work uninterrupted. Offline time could be spent in composing messages to post online, writing papers, reading, studying, reflecting, and planning. The amount of time it will take you to complete the work for an online course will depend on many factors, which will vary with each individual. As a general rule, in this course you will be expected to:
                  Log on daily to check for messages from your instructor and from other students.

 Study and read all assigned readings and online materials for each chapter.

Contribute to discussions in thoughtful and substantive ways.

Complete all course work and assignments in the time allowed.

Take an honest look at yourself before enrolling or continuing in an extended campus class. Some students thrive in online classes and others hate it. Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you have a dedicated place with a computer and reliable Internet access where you can work on school activities?
2. Are you committed to your educational goals and fully prepared to do what it takes (for example, putting forth effort, making sacrifices, willing to spend significant time and energy) to attain your educational goals?
3. Can you get things done on time without being reminded and having to be directed by others?
4. Do you have strong reading skills, and are you comfortable reading more than 30 minutes at a time?
5. Are you able to express yourself well in writing?
6. Do you usually get things done ahead of time rather than delay working on an assignment until it is almost due/near the deadline?
7. Have you always completed the courses that you started?
8. Of all of the things that you could be doing, is going to college one of your top priorities?
9. Considering your personal and professional schedule, can you commit at least  at least  7-10 hours per week to this class?

If most of your answers are "Yes," then you are a good candidate for online courses. If you answer "No" to any one of these, then you may want to stick with on campus classes.

So, do you think you have what it takes to do well in an online course?

Yes   =  "You take the red pill - you stay in wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes."

No   =  "You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe."