Guide to Online Education > Online Education In-Depth > Meet Real Online Students > Jen, M.S. in Education - Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
The coursework was labor-intensive. On a weekly basis, each class involved textbook reading, viewing of a 30 - 60 minute video lecture, posting comments and replying to two other classmates on the discussion boards, and submission of a 6 - 8 page paper.
Name: Jennifer
Age: 36
Marital Status: Married
Kids: Three boys aged 9, 6, and 4
Fact: Both Jen and her husband, Scott, took online courses at the same time to earn their degrees.
School: Walden University
Target: M.S. in Education
Some professors would "drop in" on the discussions as well. Just as in a traditional setting, "there are some professors who are truly involved and facilitate, some who are just lecturers, and some who posted as a matter of formality," she notes. "Some really probed and forced us to think about certain issues and directed us to other resources."
There was no break between classes either. When one term ended, the next began the day after. Winter break was the only respite. Still, despite the grinding schedule and her responsibilities as a full-time teacher, she feels her decision was right for her.
"I tend to enjoy working in a solitary fashion," she says. "In a traditional classroom setting you're encouraged, even required, to work in groups. I didn't want to have to do that for every single class. Especially in education classes, they want you to experience collaboration and cooperative grouping."
In her particular program the group work component was minimal. "One of my issues with group work is the different work ethics," says Jennifer. Adding to her concerns are, "the level of determination" and different levels of effort that people choose to put into their work."
To her relief there was but one research project that involved partnering. And she was permitted to pick her own partner, a like-minded individual with a similar work ethic. The convenience of attending school within her own home was another factor that contributed to her positive experience.
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