what are your expectation and fears in taking an online course

by Ms. Sandrine Herman 6 min read

What are your biggest fears about online learning?

Mar 06, 2020 · Expectations When Taking an Online Course Student may not know what to expect when taking an online course. These are some guidelines. Student Expectations Be involved and active in your courses. Be highly motivated and disciplined. Check the course homepage, calendar (if used), and assignments page (s). Review the syllabus.

Are You Afraid of taking online courses?

Jul 27, 2021 · Online students should expect to spend at least seven hours each week on a single course, so it is crucial that they learn how to balance school and work. Learners should use the first 2-3 weeks of a semester to ease into academic life and discern exactly how much time they'll need for lectures, readings, and assignments.

What should a student expect when taking an online course?

You can expect the same variety of work online as you would face-to-face. Online courses deliver a mix of quizzes, essays, assignments and group discussions. Depending on the course, you may work together with other students in groups, participate in peer review, or debate a variety of topics on the discussion boards.

How do you communicate high-level expectations in an online course?

However, there are disadvantages to taking online classes such as the lack of supervision, the cost of online courses (which are often expensive), and the problems with procrastination. One of the best advantages of online classes is flexibility. A student can usually take the course any time during the day or week.

What are your fears and concerns about online classes?

Common Fears For Students Starting Online Classes The first such fear is usually that the classes will be too difficult. Others believe that they will not be able to work independently because of limitations on their time or poor time management skills.

What are your expectations in attending online classes?

You can expect the same variety of work online as you would face-to-face. Online courses deliver a mix of quizzes, essays, assignments and group discussions. Depending on the course, you may work together with other students in groups, participate in peer review, or debate a variety of topics on the discussion boards.

What are your concerns about taking an online course?

Uncertainty about the future.Technical Issues.Distractions and Time Management.Staying Motivated.Understanding Course Expectations.Lack of In-Person Interaction.Adapting to Unfamiliar Technology.Uncertainty About the Future.May 4, 2020

How do I get over my fear of online classes?

0:292:47Overcoming Your Fear of Online Learning & Coming Back to SchoolYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn online discussions. Access your course schedule and get help if you need it I'll be on my ownMoreIn online discussions. Access your course schedule and get help if you need it I'll be on my own because I'm not in a physical classroom. Online courses are highly interactive discussions.

What are course expectations?

The Syllabus: Course Policies / Expectations Describe your expectations for student behavior (e.g., respectful consideration of one another's perspectives, open-mindedness, creative risk-taking).

What are your expectations for our class?

CLASS EXPECTATIONSRespect yourself, the teacher & others. ... Put forth your best effort at all times. ... Be prepared for class each day. ... Follow directions when given. ... Pay attention, participate and ask questions. ... Preserve a positive learning environment. ... Take responsibility for your actions.

What are the pros and cons of online learning in your opinion?

The Pros and Cons of Studying OnlinePro: Increased Flexibility. The biggest advantage to studying online is the increase in flexibility. ... Con: Reputation. Many firms and institutions are quick to dismiss an online education. ... Pro: Ease of Access. ... Con: Lack of Social Interaction. ... Pro: More Affordable. ... Con: Fewer Courses.May 23, 2011

What are the pros and cons of online classes?

The Pros And Cons Of Online ClassesPros of Online LearningCons of Online LearningFlexibilityLess Social InteractionAffordabilityLimited Course AvailabilityIndividualizationRequires High Degree of Self DisciplineMar 22, 2022

What are the challenges of online learning and how can you overcome those challenges?

How You Can Overcome These 5 Online Learning ChallengesTech Knowledge in Online Learning. Online classes rely heavily on the use of technology. ... Making Classroom Connections in Online Learning. ... Online Learning Time Management. ... Staying Motivated When Learning Online. ... Writing in Online Programs.Oct 6, 2021

What is online class all about?

An online class is a course conducted over the Internet. They are generally conducted through a learning management system, in which students can view their course syllabus and academic progress, as well as communicate with fellow students and their course instructor.

How many times a week do you have to be online for a class?

Alternatively, academic programs may involve synchronous coursework, which requires students and instructors to be online simultaneously 1-3 times per week.

Why do distance schools offer asynchronous courses?

Because distance education emphasizes flexibility, most schools offer asynchronous courses that enable students to access materials at their convenience. Professors typically provide a one-week window for completing any assigned readings, assignments, and tests.

What is weekly quiz?

Weekly quizzes are usually provided through the same learning management software you use to take classes. For midterm and final exams, schools generally hire an online proctoring service that uses webcam technology to virtually monitor test-takers' behavior, ensuring the process meets ethical standards. In some cases, online colleges ask students to take exams at designated proctor centers in their area.

Why is the number of students enrolled in online academic programs increasing every year?

The reason is clear: learners of all backgrounds want to obtain relevant skills in preparation for career entry and advancement. The National Center of Education Statistics (NCES) reports that more than 30% of college students pursue some form of remote learning. Approximately 20% of students at public and private higher education institutions enroll in fully online programs.

How many hours of reading is required for a graduate program?

Readings and other assignments can take four hours to complete, for a total of seven hours (or one hour per day per course). Graduate programs emphasize reading, writing, and independent research.

How to manage stress?

Managing stress is easier when you maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes a nutrient-rich diet and regular exercise. Be flexible and keep a realistic yet optimistic outlook -- stressful situations are temporary.

How can teachers simulate the feel of a traditional classroom?

Teachers can simulate the feel of a traditional classroom through teaching via live video stream. For classes with fewer students, they may opt for a video- or web-conferencing format to create an intimate and collaborative learning space.

What is the fear of trying something new?

For someone who has never taken an online course before, or who hasn’t been in a classroom in a long time, the fear of trying something new can be very real…and very debilitating. This fear can have many different sources — a fear of looking foolish, a fear of the unknown, and so on. In a training environment, it is often a fear of being a beginner. This is especially true for managers and others in advanced positions, who might not be comfortable looking like a newbie in front of their subordinates.

What is Michelle Cleere's advice for overcoming fear?

She suggests that when learning a new skill, you should set small goals for yourself and check them off as you accomplish them.

How many hours should a training course take?

How to overcome it. If a training course is designed to take 20 hours, then 20 hours need to be set aside for it, even if it is self-paced. This doesn’t mean that the training needs to be specifically scheduled, but it does mean that during the training, managers need to allow their subordinates time to take the course.

Is online training as good as face to face training?

Finally, despite plenty of evidence to the contrary, there is still an attitude among many that online training simply doesn’t work as well as traditional face-to-face training. This attitude is dangerous because it can be a self-fulfilling prophecy: if learners believe online courses are subpar, then they may lack motivation and commitment, which, in turn, will lead to subpar results.

How many weeks are online classes?

If you've taken classes at a traditional campus you may expect that online courses will mirror the same time frame, with two 15 to 16 week semesters and a summer term. You'll find that some online programs and courses are offered this way, particularly those offered by traditional colleges and universities.

What does it mean to be part of a cohort?

Being part of a cohort means studying with the same group of students in each course. This can be applied to an entire program or to s set of courses within a specialty. Find out more about how the programs you are interested in schedule students and courses.

What are the fears of online school?

One of the biggest fears with online learning is the ability to get help when you need it. The reality is, most modern online high school programs have an assigned teacher for each class. While models differ, many offer one-on-one and small group instruction along with personalized feedback on assignments. Technology tools have made it easier to connect with teachers via video chat, text and email. If a student is taking an online course at their local school, they may have an instructor in the room with them. If they’re working from home, many teachers are available on-demand throughout the day. And if they’re enrolled in a concurrent college credit program, they may have a college professor to turn to along with their online high school teacher and success coach.

Why do parents worry about online classes?

The biggest concern that most parents have about their kids doing online classes is that they lack the time management and discipline to do the work. They don’t have a teacher watching over their shoulders to make sure they finish the assignment.

Do online classes require self discipline?

Truthfully, yes, online classes do require some self-discipline and checking in from time to time. But students are definitely not on their own, bobbing around in an ocean of internet coursework. They have a great course outline and accessible teachers to chat with and help them run the course, not get run over by it!

Is online learning scary?

Fear not, online learning is not as scary as some people think. Millions of high school students successfully complete virtual high school courses each year. Some are catching up with credit recovery, some are getting ahead and some are getting a jump start toward college.

Do online classes give you face to face interaction?

Another big worry is that “online classes don’t give you face-to-face interaction.” The assumption is that you’re all alone—just sitting in your living room doing hours of school work every day. It’s true that students taking online high school courses don’t go to a physical building. They aren’t surrounded by people all day. They take their courses on their own time, but it’s not true that they’re alone. There are thousands of other students doing this from all over the world; so they’re joining a community of real people doing the same coursework they are. Students can chat with classmates and teachers, join class discussions and study groups and even jump onto live video lessons taught by the course instructors each week.

Can you work online as a face to face student?

You can expect the same variety of work online as you would face-to-face. Online courses deliver a mix of quizzes, essays, assignments and group discussions. Depending on the course, you may work together with other students in groups, participate in peer review, or debate a variety of topics on the discussion boards.

Can you upload unicorn drawings to Photoshop?

You’ll be able to upload your assignments directly into your online course for grading and feedback – for example, in a writing class you will type your essay in MS Word and upload it for review; a Photoshop class will allow you to upload your unicorn drawings (if you’re into that kind of thing) as an image file.

Why do we need online courses?

Online courses are convenient for most undergraduate and graduate students who can study when they want and they can finish writing or researching assignments based on their own person schedules. The fact is -- online courses offer flexibility and convenience that are often vital to students who work and have families.

What are the disadvantages of taking online classes?

However, there are disadvantages to taking online classes such as the lack of supervision, the cost of online courses (which are often expensive), and the problems with procrastination. One of the best advantages of online classes is flexibility. A student can usually take the course any time during the day or week.

Why do students work part time while going to college?

Often students work full or part time jobs while going to college so their time is valuable. These students want to make the right decisions in choosing classes so knowing the advantages and disadvantages is important. Online classes give flexibility. They often offer almost any type of class desired and provide access to faculty.

What are the requirements for taking an online course?

A student taking an online course must have access to a computer. These are two requirements that need to be considered before taking an online course. A large disadvantage in taking online courses is whether they are accepted by other colleges.

Why are shy students able to ask questions?

Shy students are able to ask questions because they can ask them online without facing the instructor. The Internet makes it possible for the student to ask questions and receive the answer back almost immediately.

When do students work on their courses?

Many students work on their course during the middle of the night or early in the morning. The flexibility of the course makes it possible for a person to complete the course, while attending college courses in person might be impossible due to their work schedules.

Can you take distance learning classes online?

While most people believe a disadvantage of taking online courses is that the students cannot have access to a faculty member, the fact is that many online courses offer a greater access to faculty .

How to communicate high level expectations?

But perhaps the most important place to communicate your high-level expectations is in the syllabus. Much like a syllabus in a traditional course, you can use your online course syllabus to: Provide basic course information (e.g., title, number, credits).

Can you state expectations in multiple places?

Your learning management system will have a number of locations where you can state or clarify your expectations. In fact, it’s wise to state expectations in multiple places . You can use module introductions, e-mails, written announcements, or descriptions of your course elements.

How to ensure a successful learning experience?

You can help ensure a successful learning experience by practicing proactive course management strategies. Good practice suggests posting a message or announcement to your class at least once a week, to tell students what you will be covering in the coming week and to remind them of any due dates.

How often do you monitor classes on the world campus?

Normally this is once per day. Many of the students studying via the World Campus are adult learners who have work and family responsibilities. These students tend to be more active in courses on weekends, so you may also wish to reserve time in your schedule to monitor courses at least once on weekends.

How long does it take to get graded assignments?

As a general rule of thumb, it seems reasonable to expect that student will receive their grades, including feedback, within one week of submitting an assignment.

What is a syllabus for online courses?

Your course syllabus is an excellent place to communicate to your students the technology they must have in place to effectively participate in your online courses. You will want to make sure you are also using a computer system and network that can meet those technology requirements.

Is teaching online classes different from teaching online classes?

Teaching an online course is no different! Because your course is online, however, as you update your course content, learning activities, and assessments, you'll need to also pay attention to spelling and grammar, as well as copyright, usability, and accessibility best practices to ensure compliance with legal requirements and Penn State policy.

Do online students need to self-regulate?

Online students need to self-regulate their time and learning and will need to adapt as needed. If you do not tell them this information, students will likely ask you to provide it. How long it will take to grade assignments and send meaningful feedback to students depends, of course, on the nature of the assignment.

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How Long Does It Take to Complete A Course?

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Look for each school's official academic calendar. If you've taken classes at a traditional campus you may expect that online courses will mirror the same time frame, with two 15 to 16 week semesters and a summer term. You'll find that some online programs and courses are offered this way, particularly those offere…
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How Are The Courses Sequenced?

  • In a traditional setting you may be enrolled in multiple courses simultaneously, especially if you are a full-time student, with some choices about which courses you take and when. But online programs may be more structured offering programs that require you to take courses in a specific sequence with fewer options for electives. This structure, often provided in the form of a degree …
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How Is The Program scheduled?

  • This question is directly related to course sequence. In many programs, each student enrolls in courses according to an individual degree plan that is developed through conversations with faculty and academic advisors, and is largely self-paced. This is often the case in traditional and online programs, but there is another possibility to consider. Cohort models are sometimes use…
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Are There Any Face-To-Face Requirements?

  • Entering an "online program" may mean that all activities, from communication and course content to advising and student services, take place in a virtual environment through the use of various technologies. It could also mean that there are some "off line" requirements, such as meetings with instructors and advisors, practical experience or internship hours, and in graduat…
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How Will Students and Instructors Communicate and Collaborate?

  • One of the draws of online learning is the convenience and potential for "any time, anywhere" access that allows you to schedule your studying around work and family life. Online course interactions between students and instructors can take place asynchronously – in which everyone accesses materials and discussions at times of their choosing, but within overall deadlines – an…
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