Time to get rockin’ and rollin’ on that degree. But, wait! Are you going to take your courses online or on campus? There’s really a difference, and it matters which way you choose to go.
We live in a world full of options. Everything is based on convenience and can be adjusted to fit your needs.
Before you wade into a pros and cons list, you need to do some self-reflection. How do you learn best? Are you motivated and driven to stay accountable and on top of your assignments without face-to-face contact? How will you react if the subject matter is difficult? Knowing and understanding how you’ll adjust to online or in-class learning will affect what you glean from your college experience. Be realistic about your lifestyle, personality, and expectations of the college experience and choose the one that’s right for you.
Learning Style
In the 1970s, defining individualized learning styles changed how educators in America interacted and related materials to their students. Various models and theories suggest there are four main ways an individual learns best:
- Visual/Verbal – you prefer to learn information by reading
- Visual/Nonverbal – you learn best with visual information, such as charts and graphs
- Auditory – you learn much more when the information is spoken to you, such as in a lecture
- Kinesthetic – you need to physically work with the information, such as in a hands-on lab
Many schools have adjusted their online classes to better engage different learning styles. Professors upload video content to help aid auditory learners. Kinesthetic learners are challenged through critical thinking written response questions and discussions. Even though online classes of today are different from those five to seven years ago, recognize and understand how you will be best engaged in your courses, and pay attention to how you absorb information differently in your online and on-campus classes.
At Athens State, it’s equally important to us how you learn as what you learn. Our goal is for you to be successful in college and in the workforce.
Going Solo vs. Having a Guide
Online classes certainly aren’t just an individual’s trek through Underwater Basket-Weaving 101. However, there is a difference between online/keyboard interaction and actual face time with your instructor and classmates. If you work remotely, you know exactly what this means. Relationships are strengthened when you’re physically communicating with others. Sometimes that can make a difference in what you take from a class.
Consider the experience of a student who took an accounting class online—a decision that proved challenging. They struggled every step of the way, finding the format less effective for their learning style. Had they taken the class on campus, the outcome might have been different. In contrast, a statistics class taken on campus resulted in a solid B, thanks to the ability to raise a hand for immediate clarification from the instructor or seek help from classmates during math-based discussions. Without a clear understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, the online accounting course became an unnecessarily grueling semester-long endeavor.
Athens State’s class model is based on flexibility for the working adult. Classes are scheduled on evenings and weekends to allow students to juggle both their professional and educational lives. So don’t worry about having to decide between online classes and attending on campus simply to accommodate your schedule.
There’s no right or wrong answer when deciding to take online or traditional courses. It’s based on your personal preference and understanding yourself and your needs.
Ready to take the next step? Contact Athens State University’s advising team or click “Apply” to complete the online admissions form.