Online classes: C or D?

90% or so of the classes in my library science program are online only, which I wish I'd have known before I chose to move here rather than a town I actually wanted to live in. So, a lot of online classes.

I've never really had an online class where I felt I got near as much out of as an in-person class. I don't really have problems with self-discipline, I just don't like the dynamic as much.

Anyone here prefer them?

I'd take every class online if I could.

Why?

Grading them is a pain in the arse.

Abbott: I like being to work at my own pace, and I like learning alone.

Grading them is a pain in the arse.

Why is that?

friend of mine last year decided to take one and for his finals i was surprised to find that of all of them he was stressing about the online one the most.

(I also learn best from computers; even with regular classes, if I have a choice between studying with a book and studying with a computer program I'll take the program everytime.)

online education isn't inherently evil, but it's hard to shake the impression that schools are really interested in it mostly for $ reasons. I don't think an hour of 'online education' is going to be a better way of learning something than an hour of a small in-class lecture. but considering that most students spend that in-class lecture on facebook anyway, who knows.

our school has actually blocked facebook in the academic buildings, you can still get it in the library/lounge buildings

dud. i'm also taking a library science program and the vast majority of it is online. i think its pretty horrible and i definitely think its done this way b/c its cheaper and easier for the school. there is no upside for the student besides not having to commute and not having to base their schedule around the classes (which is admittedly a big plus for some people.) the classes aren't as engaging without any face to face time and its hard to get into the mindset of really caring about it when i just do it all on my computer. its just like a minor chore that i tend to between other internet activities. if i weren't volunteering in the library i would feel like i'm getting absolutely nothing out of this.

YES.

the classes aren't as engaging without any face to face time

Something I could care less about. And I like being able to get up on a weekend morning, put on a pot of tea, and work on my classes.

there is no upside for the student besides not having to commute and not having to base their schedule around the classes (which is admittedly a big plus for some people.)

I did my whole MLIS program online and this was a big plus for me. I didn't want to move, and the only ALA-accredited programs in IL are at Dominican, which is in Chicago but probably like an hour's drive away from my house, or at Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, about 3 hours downstate.

I thought the online classes had advantages and disadvantages that canceled each other out so that I think I was about as happy with them as I would have been with in-person classes. But UIUC has been doing the online MLIS program for 10+ years now so I think they've got it mostly figured out at this point.

du. don't get sucked in by thinking you can "learn at your own pace" because in all likelihood you'll have group projects with people you'll never actually meet but have to coordinate a bunch of work with.

karl totally otm about it becoming a minor internet chore.

oops, dud

I think the big question is whether you're the kind of person who's into school and classes and wants to engage in your education etc etc or if you just want the degree. I pretty much viewed the program as a means to an end (get the degree, get a job) so the convenience aspect was more important to me than whether I really felt involved, though I think they did a decent job of making me feel involved too.

I tend to be more engaged with the material with an online class--lectures always felt more like a social gathering than a way to learn for me. I've never had an online class with a group studies component, so that might have altered my outlook on it.