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Online Course: What Kind of Online Education Opportunities Exist?

Introduction to Online Education

Guide to Online Education > Online Education Basics > Types of Online Education > Online Course

An online course is student-centered. Taking a course online is very similar to taking a course face-to-face in a traditional classroom setting, but with one significant exception. There is an instructor who is an expert in the subject matter, there is a course plan, or syllabus, and students are expected to study, participate in discussions, and demonstrate by examination or written term paper that they have learned the material. However, students may do all of this without ever entering a classroom. An online course makes use of emerging technologies and media such as broadband Internet, web cameras, live chat, asynchronous message forum, podcasting, and instant messaging. Far from being isolating, individual students become a part of a global learning community. A stay-at-home mother in San Francisco may number among her classmates a boatswain's mate stationed in Bah'rain, an advertising executive in Austin, and a nurse in Newport.

Individual Online Course Taken For Credit

A student may take a course via distance education for credit to fulfill a requirement at the institution where he or she is seeking a degree.

The course can be taken:

1. at the school in which in which he or she is enrolled or
2. at another regionally accredited college or university

Some students who are already enrolled in a degree program at a conventional college or university, can take online courses in addition to their course load, over the summer break, or during intercession. It can save money, and put students farther ahead on the road to graduation. Some students elect this option for prerequisites, general education requirements, or electives.

People who are not currently enrolled at an institution of higher learning, but are contemplating earning an online degree later, may find that enrolling in an individual, for credit course is a good first step. Taking one course online can be a good indicator of success in a degree program. It allows students to gauge the amount of reading that is required, become familiar with the technology, learn to budget their time, and get a sense of balancing everyday responsibilities with school. If the experience is a positive one, a student may be encouraged enough to seek a degree. In that case it may be possible to apply those credits toward that degree.

Course materials can be delivered to the student via "snail mail" (U.S. postal mail) or online via the Internet. Students listen to a lecture, read the assigned text, and post comments to a discussion board that is monitored by the lecturer. Students are then usually required to respond to at least two other students' comments. The lecturer often provides students with links to other resources on the Internet to maximize the learning experience. Group projects, exams, and term papers can all be submitted without the student ever leaving home.

Individual Non-Credit Online Course

Just as in a conventional college or university where a student audits a course, a distance education course can be taken on a noncredit basis. Students are permitted to benefit from the instruction without the pressure of working toward a grade. Students who wish to learn a subject for their personal enrichment, or who wish to acquire specific knowledge for their profession may choose this route.

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