Online Classes
I kept getting a prompt in my notifications suggesting I do a post so here it is. I wanted to do something that wasn't similar to existing posts and I think this is unique. Personally I am pursuing an online IT degree through a self-paced option. The courses mainly consist of online labs, papers, and scenarios outlined by the professors that the students need to provide an outcome to. Sometimes there are PowerPoint presentations as well.
This method is ideal for me since I can work at my own pace and I can use free time at work to complete tasks since I don't always have time at home (thanks to having a highly energetic but loving one year old dog). I've also grown accustomed to completing things on my own. My past experiences with group projects hasn't been good (usually ended up doing most of the work) but this is probably not the same for everyone.
For those who are doing classes online, do you like it? How do you do it? Is it more or less independent work or is it collaborative via online messaging, video chats etc.? If it is collaborative, does the fact that it's online make it more challenging? Also for the independent students, do you miss the connection with classmates? Or does it make attending school easier?
@Enthenia
Hey enthenia! Thanks so much for making a post like this!
Personally I love doing self paced online school. I did it for many years growing up and I loved it. Today however I attend in person uni. I honestly love the self paced version of school so much. It lets me go at my own pace, I can zip through some subjects and projects while spend more time on others, I also was able to take classes that I enjoyed. My mindset about school changed during this time. I was doing school to learn about new things and to enjoy time learning. I started to look forward getting to do assignments rather then it feeling like a chore and a box I had on a to do list. It no longer was work but something I had the privlage of doing. I think to speak on the social side of things is important. while I sometimes feel isolated during self paced school I also felt isolated during in person. However I do agree with the statement that the lack of students has made it easier for me. I also I think that I have found cups and that has often filled alot of those missing connections that I need. It is easier for me to do things on my own, group projects never worked well for me either. I think there are pros and cons to all versions of education and its just a matter of finding witch one works best for you. We dont all live in cookie cutter boxes, its okie to not follow the laid out path to find something that works a bit better for you. *shares cookies for enthenia* Thanks for this awesome discussion, I have enjoyed it <3
@FaithfulZareia Thanks! As for the lack of interaction, I've become accustomed to not having any. Not like it was planned or anything; it just happened that way.
One thing that does concern me with online studu is that everything seems easy. Aside from my Project Management class and the basic Java programming class I've done exceptional and I think I only have eight classes left to take plus a project that I have to complete to get the degree.
Since I dropoed out my first time at a university (only had two years left), I don't really know what obtaining a degree is like but should it really be this simple? There are also some statistics about the self-paced program I'm doing ay the university. It said something like 40% of the students complete their degrees but I don't get why it's so low. None of it seems particularly difficult.
I suppose I should be glad it's not because if it were, it would be more stressful for me.
@Enthenia
@luckylistener There are a few times when I'd like the opportunity to ask a question but I can generally find the answer myself.
My only concern is how easy most of my courses seem to be. It doesn't feel like I'm actually learning anything. Like now I'm in a network administration class. The assignments are very similar to a systems administration class I had with a different professor a few months ago.
Yes I had to do research for the first class and I had to do a bit for the current one but it doesn't seem like actual learning to me.