school can start after September,” Dr. Benke says. their personal experiences and thoughts…because
there’s no public forum.”
How Online Classes Work That sense of anonymity is a big draw for students
You probably don’t need to be a computer expert to who may be reluctant to join in a traditional classroom
succeed in an online course, but you do need to be discussion. “There’s a comfort level to speak up and a
fluent in email (being able to attach documents, for freeing of some boundaries,” Dr. Benke adds.
instance) and online research. The majority of your Often, participation in chat rooms and discussion
work—even your contact with the instructor and boards is factored into the final grade for the class. For
classmates—will be done through the Internet and example, the instructor posts a topic in a chat room
all information is sent electronically; the instructor or discussion board and monitors the responses that
disseminates the coursework online usually with links follow. Students are not graded on the frequency of
to lectures and websites with related articles while you their responses but on their level of understanding of
email research papers and other assignments to the the material being discussed.
instructor. “ I look for three to four postings a week as well as
“Instead of commuting, students spend that time how the student is responding,” says Dr. Spector.
networking and applying their learning,” says Kathleen But, just because you can do your homework in your
Spector, Ph.D., an Empire State College mentor in pajamas at 2am and never have to face your professor
business, management and economics. doesn’t mean an online class should be taken lightly.
Dr. Spector, who has been teaching online courses You still have to work hard, work blocks of study time
for the past seven years after teaching in a traditional in your schedule and complete assignments on time.
classroom setting, says that despite the fact that “Some students mistake flexibility for ease, which
students never see each other or their instructor, can be their downfall,” Cunningham says. “It requires
the online classroom tends to be a more intimate discipline. Unlike a traditional classroom, there’s no
environment where ideas and opinions are shared one telling you [that] you have to get to class. It’s not
openly. “I learn more about the students in an online easy—it’s still college. And we hold in high regard our
classroom,” she says. “They are more open to sharing academic standards.”
(continued on page 20)
BefORe YOU BeGiN…
If you’re thinking about heading back to school on your computer, there are a few questions you should
know to ask:
• Is it accredited? “make sure the institution is accredited so any credits you already have transfer and
the master’s program you choose will accept your bachelor’s degree,” Todd Cunningham, vice president
and director of the Jersey City campus of the University of Phoenix says. Check the U.S. Depart-
ment of Education website for a list of accredited colleges at www.ed.gov or verify accreditation via
recognized regional accrediting agencies like the Higher Learning Commissions of the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org) or the Commission on Colleges of the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools (www.sacscoc.org).
• Is my computer equipped to do the job? You don’t need a special computer set-up, but you do need
reliable access to a computer. “We even have people with dial-up. It’s slower downloading things, but
getting in and attending class is very easy,” Cunningham says.
• Do I have what it takes? Drive and discipline to take on and finish the course load are necessary.
“You have to make sure you put your time in,” explains Bloomingburg mom of five Christine Goudreau.
“When I know I have to get things done I reprioritize. Sometimes when you have little ones to take
care of you have to keep stopping what you’re doing, but there’s a great advantage as long as you’re
organized.”
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