Hey you guys, when I was thumbing through my course catalog, I noticed that a lot of courses are now available online. I've been taking a load of courses (like 9 per semester), and starting next semester, I was thinking about taking some classes online.

But has anyone tried it? I have no idea what it would be like. Is it easy to get an A/pass? Is it more work + homework than physically going to a class? I'm pretty good in keeping up with my readings and do really well on my exams, but I HATE writing long essay papers and making stupid portfolios.

Any advice, suggestions from those that have taken online courses would greatly be appreciated!

[EDIT]
Thanks for the advice, you guys. I think I'm generally going to stay away from online classes, and only take it if I'm really good at the subject and not have to sit through lectures all the time.

Protip: STAY AWAY!

Online classes SUCK. They're mainly aimed towards people who really can't go to class every day, such as full time workers and mothers/fathers with children. I took one every quarter for a full academic year and got ALL C's in those classes.
Online classes are usually more reading than anything, BUT depending on the class you also do a lot of essays and you also take a part in forums where you have to write a short essay.

^^ I 'd have to say that it depends on the course.....

I'm a business student and a lot of intro classes in the business school they offer online and live lecture, but most of the live kids still watch the online lectures around exam time to help study and some even stop going to lecture and watch the online lectures instead. For my school, they video tape them one semester and play it for the next few for online learners. They're pretty convenient to watch because they are essentially a live lecture and if you don't get something, you can replay it until you do. Plus, its more convenient to watch them at your own time than to go to class. I've so far taken two online classes, (at my school, its pretty common) and hav liked both. But like I said earlier, it really depends on the course.

^ I agree, it really depends on the course.

I'm currently taking an intro to info sys class online for my major. It's mostly taking quizzes, making posts in the forums every now and then, going through online tutorials, etc. For the quizzes you get up to three tries to take it. There's some homework to turn in such as excel files and what not. But no essays. However, this is only for this particular online class. I actually like taking it online because I do know some things about computers and having to sit through lecture to learn about it would be killer. Also, I read that for my course the people in the actual lecture course have to do write ups and a little research paper, whereas the people taking it online with the same instructor don't have to do any of that. All in all, depends on the course.

also depends on your school
at my school it is possible to get good marks
so ask around your school too

Isn't that just hybrid classes then? You can go to class but you still have work online... I'm talking about totally 100% online, no in-class time at all, and usually no videos.

My classes included English, Political Science and History...

taken a lot of online classes due to my laziness... i'll agree with felinus to stay away if you can. if you can go to campus and take the classes on site, do it. online courses will bite you if you slack off for even just one day. there is a lot of reading (because the lecture is written) andddd most of the assignments are ridiculous essays.

depends on ur personal schedule and discipline.
online classes are great if u work or just don't pay attention in class...also if ur shy, that way u dont hafta do presentations.
but the down side is that some teachers expect big group projects while online, and how are u supposed to do that. its very impersonal, and i know that for some of my classes, we had to submit more assignments than in class.every wk we had one .and we were tracked on constructive criticism and discussion in other ppls answers for the assignments. its a tough one but if u are taking 9 classes a semester, u probly hve the discipline to try it.

For incoming Business students, or any student for that matter, I recommend teaching yourself and taking CLEP tests on whatever there is available. Make sure your school will accept the credits. Just know what books to purchase. Outdated editions are fine (3-5 years or so) since the subject doesn't change drastically. Besides it'll save you from buying expensive, more recent editions too. Just study intelligently, try not to waste time and you'll be alright.

For me it was Spanish, Calculus, Biology, Accounting, Management, US HIS I, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Marketing, and Business Law. That's 13 classes knocked out of the way. Nearly a year and half that I don't have to worry about.

The tests might seem expensive at about $80 a piece, but if you figure in the money that you'll be spending on tuition, rent , food, transportation, and textbooks for that year or more, it's sure as hell worth every penny.

I find online classes very easy, so far from all teh ones i have taken i have nothing lower than a B. I'm a business major by the way, most that i have taken online is business related. The only thing is that no one's there to tell you to read, but you mention that you keep up with reading and stuff so i guess you should try some!

i took classes online =d it wasnt too bad, since it was just an econ class, it only gives me an excuse to be lazier than normal. lol.

Well...online courses are easier, but more BORING. I couldn't stand watching the lecture...it was too slow. Plus, watching from home or the library, I kept getting distracted.

I will never take an online-course again just because it's boring. Otherwise, the discussions & exam materials was quite simple compared the in-class lecture (which I heard was ridiculously hard).

I did it once and it is risky because you get so lazy... Like I wouldn't keep up with the lectures and homeworks because I was home in front of the computer doing it which caused a lot of distractions...

It all depends on the type of course and instructor. Some instructors are helpful and easy, while others might make it hard and etc.

I've only taken 3 so far and they were all easy. I screwed in 2 of those, so I got a B in them and an A on the other one. A lot of reading, but really simple. You just have to control your laziness. The great thing about online classes is, if you can, try to complete it in the first week of school and then return the textbook for a full refund.

I'm currently taking online courses. I think it's better than on campus, much easier. However, for one of my classes, MicroBiology, it's a hybrid course. It just depends on the subject and you. If you're capable of handling the work on your own, than you don't need a lecture. People are always complaining about procrastinating, but not everyone does. I sure don't, nor does the people in my online class. So, it just depends.

Im taking one right now.. i thought it would be a blow off class but nuh uh. I have to do so much more busy work in this course than the rest of my other courses. I'm starting to slack off because it has just too much work :\

It's so easy to become lazy..

I've taken math and an English course online before. It depends on how dedicated you are I think. With it being online I find myself getting more lazy with my school work which is already a problem lol. If you think it won't be an issue for you than I'd try it out. I'd try just one though at first to see how it goes for you and if it's something you can handle.



Well English I took online once and I didn't pass it to say the least. I had other courses going on and just got caught up and would wait too long to do the work and whatnot. With political science and history the way my professors do the classes it would be just the same as doing it online than in class since my current American govt class is just a lecture class and the professor puts the slide show up on the school's website and we have our book and only thing we have to turn in is papers and do test's. English I wouldn't recommend doing online but political science and history might not be so bad.

Online classes are easier for me, you don't have to participate or comment, just sit back and basically READ your textbook, do the essays and turn in your work on time- almost like working for an office. I usually get confused with other students asking random questions in class, so I like a one-on-one class that I can just look at the intructions and simply follow. Plus at my college, there is a blackboard, so students can post up comments and questions to other pupils, similar to the way this forum runs. I will be taking Eng 102 this spring. I got a 3.6 in Eng 101 online the last time. Hopefully, the studying mood hasn't changed since then.

My two cents.. online courses [despite what you may believe] you have to work much harder for than regular classes. Well, actually, it depends on your professor. Like this semester, every three weeks I have one discussion and one exam. Very simple. But all the other online classes I've taken have been complete hell. Discussions, responding to classmates, classroom chats, meeting up with the class, exams, quizzes, projects, and the work for math and such I believe would be much harder. I don't know personally because it's not my best subject and I don't want to risk my gpa suffering.
Do some thorough research on ratemyprofessors[.com] for the online courses' instructor whose class you plan to sign up for.

It's mostly depend on yourself, your school and your instructor...the best place to search is of course ratemyprofessors.com people will tell you how much work that professor assign and if he or she is easy or hard. I'm taking 3 online class (Composition II, art history and geography) right now and I gotta say that's the best decision I've ever made. I'm a lazy bum and a prograstinator myself LOL The best thing I like about online class is that you know exactly what you'll be doing for the rest of the semester like test date and homework due date and stuff so if you have plan for vacation you can do it early cuz the dates set are pretty solid.

Another thing is that you can cheat on the test/quiz LOL no more memorization yahoo...

The only class that I have to write essay for is composition..duh..LOL but only 3 so I think it's pretty good. I took composition I in class and I thought it's such a waste of time cuz they're not going to teach you anything new...basically they give you the assignment, you go home do it then turn in and that's it. Class time is for the professor to explain the assignment and for people to ask question which I think you can easily do it through email so why not take it online. I also have to write blog every week but it's kindda easy too, just like posting on soompi hehehehe....My other two online classes are so easy that it's not even worth mentioning LOL

I would suggest you taking classes that would usually require memorization online cuz it will save you a lot of time. Don't take class like chemistry, math etc online though it'll only be harder for you.

I have taken online classes.
It can be hard to keep up.
I would try one and see how it
goes...Good luck try not to get behind and
make sure you know your deadlines.

I've taken quite a few online classes.. at least 1 per semester but never had I taken more than 2.
I take it because I find it a hassle to drive to campus (about 40-60 mins drive one way..) or some course just don't fit into my schedule.
I don't mind it because I'm quite disciplined enough to do the readings on my own
The only disadvantage is you can easily fall behind readings + deadlines.. and some also have weekly online discussions which can become a bit tedious..
And another problem I have is how my uni charge online classes the same as regular classes.. soo in a way, I feel a bit 'riped off' >o<
because most of online courses, I rarely hear from the professor.. just the teacher marker.

im taking an online class this semester! i actually liek it although u have to be responsible for yourself. i think it's alot easier to get lazy taking online calsses and u probably dont learn as much. but i love how everything's open book.... hahha ;D

I LOVE online classes
the due dates are all posted on the first day so I can pace myself at my own speed

I'm taking my second online course right now, I'm sitting at an A
the last class I took was a B-

I wish there was more!

I have taken three online classes so far and have gotten As and Bs in those classes.

It all depends on what class it is and if you put enough time and effort into the class.

For example you have to schedule your time more and take notice of the things you have to learn on-hand or have interaction with. For example if it's a literature class and you can read fast and understand the work without the teacher explaining then sure take an online class. If you have trouble in science or math class and need interaction with the teachers then don't bother taking it online.

I'm a Biology major so time is very valuable so I am taking all my general ed and business classes online. I love it! I only go to campus for biology lectures and lab ... the rest of my classes I can do the work whenever I please like at night so I can sleep in the day ... but still have to manage time wisely.