What Is Taking an Online Course Like? (7 Things to Know)

It doesn’t really matter what I think about online classes, does it? What matters more is what ex-students think.

I scoured the Internet and found a good deal of students’ experiences and reviews of online programs. I’ll share the two most telling observations with you.

One reviewer focused on the benefits of taking online classes [1]:

“I would recommend online courses to anyone that has a busy schedule, such as having a full time job or having family responsibilities. Also, you are able to learn well by doing the required work on your own, without depending solely on interaction with other students as a means of learning. Online courses are a great alternative to the student who must hold a full-time job while enrolled in college. Online courses are not only convenient but they teach you how to become a more disciplined scholar.”

 

- Brandi Ratcliff

Another ex-online student mentioned some drawbacks, like the lack of feedback [2]:

“The main plus is that you can study it at your own pace. You don’t have to be in a class room on a given day at a given time. I would say the trickiest thing about taking a college course online (just like any online course), is that you don’t have direct contact with your professor and your classmates, which makes it difficult to get good feedback.”

 

- Florian Decludt 

What students think about online classes really depends on how good they are at online learning. You need to be independent, self-motivated, and resourceful to do well in an online class.

I’ll admit it: many online courses are poorly designed and definitely not worth the money.

With that said, most online courses today offer the same experience (and value) you’d get in a traditional class.

You can expect a hefty workload, tight deadlines, lots of group work, and regular assignments.

On the one hand, this is good because it makes online degrees as valuable as “real” college degrees.

But it also makes things harder for you, not easier. Online schools may not offer office hours with the teachers and you may have little face-to-face interaction.

This means you’ll have to rely on yourself more than you would in on-campus classes.

Taking classes online doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. You’ll still have to complete assignments and, maybe, have even more things to do than you would in a regular school.

Many teachers expect students to participate in discussion forums too, mostly as part of their homework.

This is how they compensate for the lack of real-life interaction between students.

Note that typing out your thoughts in discussion forums requires even more time than talking in an in-person class. The no-homework thing is definitely a myth.

The best online degree programs combine different course materials: books, recorded lectures, interactive games, articles, studies...

That way, you aren’t just watching lectures all the time. Videos may not fit your learning style, so it’s good that you can also rely on text-based or audio materials.

Some recorded lectures also have a full transcript which you can read if that’s what you prefer.

Pro tip: Are you a visual learner? Then print out the transcripts and underline or highlight the most important things your course instructor mentioned.

Individual courses usually get you a certificate, while online colleges get you a degree. You can often earn both faster in online classes than you would in traditional school.

Let’s say you’re attending a competency-based online degree program. This means you can finish the lectures you understand well faster, or rewatch them if you need more explanation.

Basically, it’s up to you when you’ll finish the course. If you want to get a degree faster, you can. You just have to put in more effort.

First, distance learners must have three prerequisites to even be able to attend classes:

• A personal computer
• A reliable Internet connection
• Enough free time

Without any of these things, students don’t have a shot at online learning -- let alone being successful at it.

Another thing to keep in mind is that there are a lot of scammy degree programs out there. Not only are they poorly designed, but their degrees aren’t recognized by employers or universities. They’re virtually useless.

Other cons have more to do with your personality and aren’t necessarily cons per se. I mentioned some already: 

• Flexible schedule = more freedom, but also more responsibility
• Self-paced lectures = easy to follow, easy to swing you off track
• No face-to-face interactions = comfortable but possibly challenging learning experience

Short answer: Most colleges and employers will recognize your online bachelor’s degree, certificate, or qualification.

Long answer: It depends on the school rankings and brand. Not all online degrees are equally acceptable or valid.

Here’s how one HR expert explained it [3]:

“The key for most of our clients and how we guide them is that the online degree is coming from an accredited program or school, and that really is the difference in what we're looking for.”

 

- Massad, Insperity

Your school should at least have regional accreditation so that you know for sure that colleges and employers will accept it. It’s a plus if it has a reputable campus.

Taking online classes -- or attending an online college -- is a positive experience for most students. Online learning has many advantages: career advancement, better balancing of family commitments and/or work, and personal development.

That last point is exactly what draws so many students to online programs. They’re able to develop life skills, such as self-reliance, time management, and organization.

But note that you may not achieve success if you’re not an independent learner. Online courses simply require more self-initiative than traditional ones.

So, if you're a disciplined person, online courses are undoubtedly well worth it.