I originally became an online student because I didn't have the time to run back and forth to a traditional classroom setting. The flexibility of taking courses online enables me to go to class on my time no matter what time of day it is. I don't necessarily enjoy the anonymity of taking classes online though. It seems so impersonal and not a whole lot of interaction between people like one would find in a classroom setting. I'm the type of person that likes to see the person I'm talking to.
Last term I found online classes rather difficult in completing a group project. There were a lot of questions, but no one knew the right answer to proceed with the project. After countless emails to my professor for clarification, the project was started. It was a guessing game from the beginning to the end. It was also a lot of emails and IM's to my group members back and forth.
I have inquired about a traditional school recently. I'm not sure at this time when I will start. There has been issues on whether they will accept the credits that I have already accumulated. If not, I will have to start over from square one and a lot of money and time will go down the toilet. That doesn't make me a happy camper.
The only way I see to create a closer class community is to keep the communication open. I would try to get to know people beyond the classroom setting. It looks as if the blog might help in some of those ways because you're reading people's thoughts and finding out more about them than you normally would in a DB post. You're finding out a person for who they are and not by a name.
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I personally feel I would like a traditional classroom setting as well, but I really don't want to deal with the commute time and I must admit that the more I do on-line, the more selfish I'm becoming with my time and being able to do this when it works for me. This is my 3rd term, how many terms have you taken? It did take me a little time to get used to it, but once I did, I was hooked. Good luck with all your decisions.
ReplyDeleteHey Mikki, I did not know you were looking to go to another school. Well Kaplan accepts credits accumulated from other classes so I do not see why you could not transfer the ones you have now to your new school. Where there is a will, there is a way! You know the saying. I like the online classes because I do not have to drive to get there and worry about traffic and if I will be late or will have my books becuase they are right here on my desk. It works for me. A lot of people ask me , "How can it be a real class " and "How do they know if it is really you sitting there in class and not someone else?" Well I guess they really don't know if it is me or not but I wouln't want to spend all that money for tuition and have someone else sit in in my place. I guess they would know when they placed you somewhere and you didn't know what you were doing! I know what they mean when they say "You are only cheating yourself" I am just glad I have the oportunity to go because I hear a lot are denied because of funding.
ReplyDeleteHi student writer. This is my fourth term here at Kaplan. I rarely have time away from the computer with the courses and continued research on topics. I hear you about the commute time. I was also having difficulties with trying to schedule classes for traditional schooling.
ReplyDeleteHi Maryann. I have looked into another school, but didn't realize I wouldn't finish this degree until Summer of 2011. I was told the other school would accept the credits I have now if they were the same courses and the same material taught. Actually, this is part of the email, "You will have to submit an official transcript from Kaplan for transfer evaluation. In order to receive transfer credit, you must have a "C" or higher and we must have an equivalent course." The grades aren't the problem, it's the last part I'm worried about.
I am telling my girls to go to college while they can. There is really nothing out there, job wise, without a college degree. The majority is dead end minimum wage deals. They need to think about their future now. No telling what the world will be like in 5-10 years.
I still haven't found you on Facebook. So many Maryann's pop up and I don't know what your picture looks like on there. LOL.