Every year, more and more Americans choose online learning to reach their goals, satisfy their curiosity, and improve their job prospects. But what exactly is online learning? What happens in an online classroom?
There are many different online learning methods, and some are more effective than others. Before you choose an online course or school, it’s important to think about what online learning methods work for you. Here are a few things to consider.
When does the course start?
Some online schools start courses at a specific time, so students will move through the curriculum together. Other schools let students start a course at any time and move through at their own pace.
Think about your learning style: do you like learning with others and bouncing ideas off classmates, or do you like to be free to work at your own pace?
How will you communicate with professors or tutors?
Some professors or tutors communicate with students by email, and others use live video conference technologies. The greater access you have to teaching staff and the more interactive the method of contact, the better. Video or live chat technology is always better than waiting for a reply to your email, and the best online courses always offer this.
Before you enroll in an online course, ask the school how often the professor or tutor will be available and how you will reach them. Do professors or tutors supervise online group discussion sessions? How often will they be online for individual consultation? How quickly will they reply to email? It might sound obvious, but if you live in another time zone to the professor or tutor, check that their office hours don’t fall during the middle of your night!
What course material is required and how do you access it?
Some schools that are new to online learning still use paper textbooks, but more advanced schools take advantage of technology in their course materials. Does the school use digital audio and video files or electronic textbooks? Do you have to pay extra for access to these materials? Are they produced by experts in the field? And will you have access to the course materials after the class is over?
Before you enroll in an online course or program, think about your learning style and decide whether you want online classmates or want to work at your own pace. Ask about how you’ll communicate with your professor or tutor. If you can consult with them individually through video conferencing, chances are you’ll have a better online learning experience.
