Tell if Taking an Online Class Is Best for You

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←Older revision		Revision as of 17:18, 25 June 2016
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−	{{copyedit|date=2016-06-20}}As high schools and colleges are offering more of a variety of online classes, and as taking online classes are becoming more popular, it is important to know if taking an online class is the best choice for you.	+	As high schools and colleges are offering more of a variety of online classes, and as taking online classes are becoming more popular, it is important to know if taking an online class is the best choice for you.
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	== Steps ==		== Steps ==
−	# Keep in mind online can still be challenging. A lot of people think that taking an online class is easier than taking a regular class at school. Online classes are not any easier than going to a classroom. Students have the same expectations in both settings and the same material is being taught. Online classes may be more challenging because it requires more self discipline to check and do assignments. So if your looking for an easy A, then an online class may not necessarily be the best choice for you. Try to look in the subject matter rather than looking at where the class will be taking place.[[Image:Easy button.jpg|center]]	+	# Keep in mind that an online class can still be challenging. A lot of people think that taking an online class is easier than taking a regular class at school. However, online classes are not any easier than going to a classroom. Teachers have the same expectations of students in both settings, and the same material is being taught. Online classes may actually be more challenging, because it requires more self-discipline to check and do assignments. If you're looking for an "easy A", an online class may not necessarily be the best choice for you. Try to look at the subject matter, rather than where the class will be taking place.
−	# Understand computers. Taking an online class doesn't require a lot of knowledge of computers but you do need some skills in order to be able to complete the class. You will need to be able to work word, search engines, your school website, downloading and uploading assignments, Email, ect. You may be able to learn how to do these as you take the class, but that will take time. If you can't figure out how to do these things while taking the class, it will be very hard for anyone to help you considering they cannot see how your computer works in person. If you know how to do all of these things, then you will have no problem navigating your computer to complete your assignments.	+	# Understand computers. Taking an online class doesn't require a lot of knowledge of computers, but you do need some skills in order to be able to complete the class. You will need to be able to work a word-processing program, search engines, your school website, and be able to download and upload assignments, email, and so forth. You may be able to learn how to do these as you take the class, but it will take time. If you can't figure out how to do these things while taking the class, it will be very hard for anyone to help you, considering they can't see how your computer works in person. If you know how to do all of these things, then you will have no problem navigating your computer to complete your assignments.
−	#Bear in mind the convenience of an online class. If you like doing assignments at your own pace, then taking an online class would be a good thing for you. With online classes you can take them anywhere and do them anytime. Besides having your assignments done on the due dates, you can make your own schedule for when you want/have time to do school work. Online classes are very convenient, and if you need a class that works with you, then online classes would be a good choice.	+	#Bear in mind the convenience of an online class. If you like doing assignments at your own pace, then taking an online class would be a good thing for you. With online classes, you can take them anywhere and do them anytime. Besides having your assignments done on the due dates, you can make your own schedule for when you want or have time to do schoolwork. Online classes are very convenient, and if you need a class that works with you, then online classes would be a good choice.
−	#Acknowledge your personal Life. Depending on what you have going on in your personal life, it might not be a good idea to take an online class. If you have a really busy personal life, or have a stressful one, then it would be hard to focus on a class. Online classes usually take up to 10 hours a week of either studying or doing assignments. You have to be able to give the online class as much time as it needs in order to do well. It wouldn't be worth giving up other priorities to try to make an online class work, and it would not be good if you put other things before your class because that is a waste of money.	+	#Acknowledge your personal life. Depending on what you have going on in your personal life, it might not be a good idea to take an online class. If you have a really busy personal life, or have a stressful one, then it would be hard to focus on an online class. Online classes usually take up to 10 hours a week, consisting of either studying or doing assignments. You have to be able to give the online class as much time as it needs in order to do well. It wouldn't be worth giving up other priorities to try to make an online class work, and it wouldn't be good if you put other things before your class, because that is a waste of money.
−	#  Consider the Commute to school. If you commute to school, then taking an online class might be a good idea. Being able to take the class from home is more convenient than going to school two or three times a week. From the money that you would save from gas and the time you would save not driving to and from school, then it would be worth taking a class	+	#* Be sure to consider what would happen if an unexpected occurrence happened, as well. For example, if you were working on an online course, and then a loved one became ill and had to be hospitalized, would you still be able (or even willing) to put any time at all towards your online class?
−	#Be aware of your learning type. Depending on the type of learner you are, online classes may not be a good fit for you. If you are someone who needs to be shown and explained how to do something in order to comprehend, then online classes would not be for you. When taking an online class you are very independent. You are given assignments to read or write with directions, and are expected to be able to do the work. You can always ask questions, but its not the same as if you asked the teacher in person. Therefore, if you need one on one teaching and need someone to really guide you, then online would not be something for you.	+	#  Consider the commute to school. If you commute to school, then taking an online class might be a good idea. Being able to take the class from home is more convenient than going to school two or three times a week. From the money that you would save from gas and the time you would save not driving to and from school, it would be worth at least considering taking a class online.
−	# Avoid procrastination. If you are a procrastinator, then online classes would not be a thing for you. You can not wait until the last minute to do the assignments that are given in an online class. The assignments that are given are meant to take some time, and usually teachers do not accept late work because they are given a schedule that they need to follow. Regular classes have the ability to move assignments and due dates around depending on the class. Also, you are given the assignment at least a week or so ahead of time, so teachers will not give much sympathy for those who cannot complete their assignments on time.	+	#Know your learning type. Depending on the type of learner you are, online classes may not be a good fit for you. If you are someone who needs to be shown how to do something in order to comprehend it, then online classes would not be for you. When taking an online class, you are very independent. You are given assignments to read or write with directions, and are expected to be able to do the work. You can always ask questions, but it's not the same as if you asked the teacher in person. Therefore, if you need one-on-one teaching and need someone to really guide you, then online would not be something for you.
		+	# Consider if you procrastinate. If you are a procrastinator, then online classes would not be a thing for you. You can't wait until the last minute to do the assignments that are given in an online class. The assignments that are given are meant to take some time, and teachers usually do not accept late work, as they are given a schedule that they need to follow. Regular classes have the ability to move assignments and due dates around depending on the class. As you are given the assignment at least a week or so ahead of time, teachers will not give much sympathy for those who cannot complete their online assignments on time.
	== Warnings ==		== Warnings ==
−	*If you do not have a working computer or access to the internet then you can not take the online class. You need these two things at all times when taking an online class.	+	*If you do not have a working computer or consistent access to the internet, then you can't take an online class. You need these two things at all times when taking an online class.
−	*You can have computer problems and that will cause you to fall behind on assignments. You can always find another computer and work off that, or email the teacher and they will help you come up with a solution.	+	*You may have computer problems and that will cause you to fall behind on assignments. You can always find another computer and work off that, or email the teacher and they will help you come up with a solution.
	== Things You'll Need ==		== Things You'll Need ==