| Just a few short years ago, the idea of taking a | | | | always cost the same whether you take them |
| college course through the Internet was | | | | on-campus, or online. Colleges have to buy the |
| something online "techies" considered. Now that | | | | software, train their faculty, and offer student |
| people realize how convenience it is to take a | | | | services after hours - so expecting online courses |
| class without leaving home, more and more | | | | to be less expensive is not reasonable. |
| people are taking advantage of using their | | | | On the other hand, the same financial aid is often |
| computer to learn. | | | | available for online classes, just as with campus |
| But while the technology used for online classes is | | | | classes. So, money should not stop any student |
| so simple just about anyone can become an online | | | | from furthering their education! |
| student, you should ask yourself the following 5 | | | | 4) Do you have the right technical skills? |
| questions first - and save yourself a lot of stress! | | | | Fortunately, you don't have to be a computer |
| 1) Do you have the time? | | | | "genius" to take an online class. The technology |
| Many people think - mistakenly - that online | | | | has become very simple for students and |
| courses are "easier" than traditional campus | | | | teachers to use, so that students who can "surf |
| classes. But most online classes require regular | | | | the Internet" and use email usually have the |
| participation. So, you must have the time to "log | | | | necessary technical skills. |
| on" to your course several times each week, | | | | Before getting started, the school offering the |
| complete the assignments and do your | | | | course should have a sample course, tutorial, or |
| homework, and interact with the other students. | | | | other training to help you determine if there are |
| All of this takes time...and, you have to account | | | | any skills you need to learn, so you can become a |
| for the time you would normally have spent in | | | | successful online student! |
| the classroom. If you have the time, you will find | | | | 5) Do you have the right computer equipment? |
| taking an online class to be very convenient! | | | | Since most online classes are taught through the |
| 2) Do you have the discipline? | | | | Internet, students usually don't need any special |
| Sure, most online classes don't require you to be | | | | computer equipment. However, most online |
| on the computer at a specific time (although | | | | classes require students to have reliable access to |
| some do). So it is up to you to make sure you | | | | the Internet, an email account (and the knowledge |
| check in on your class several times each week. | | | | to use it), a word processor (such as Microsoft |
| With a busy work schedule, sports, hobbies, | | | | Word), and antivirus software. Check with your |
| housework, kids, it's easy to put your class low | | | | school to see if there are any other requirements. |
| on your priority list. And that could mean big | | | | A high speed internet connection is usually not |
| trouble when it comes time to get your grade. | | | | required, but if instructors use graphics, videos, |
| It's not the teacher's job to remind you to keep | | | | audio lectures, or other big files, a high speed |
| up with your work - that's your responsibility. A | | | | connection (such as DSL or cable) will help you |
| simple way to make this work is to create your | | | | open the files, and do you work, more efficiently! |
| own schedule, so each week you know exactly | | | | Are you ready now to take your first online |
| when it's time to "go to class"! | | | | class? Then it's time to contact your local college, |
| 3) Do you have the money? | | | | or search the internet for an online class |
| While there are many free or low-cost online "self | | | | directory, and see what online courses you can |
| help" courses available, college courses almost | | | | take! |