Online College Course Forum

I just spent a little time reading some comments, and one point that Chilena made was about what is an online course. I've not really thought about what makes an online course a course. She makes the point that you could use an information web site or blog.

Thinking about this, I think the important part is that of assessment - and maybe therefore interaction to gain feedback on progress. When you are studying for an online degree or other qualification, you need to be assessed on whether you have absorbed and understood the information you are receiving, and whether you can then put the lessons to good use. This requires active intervention, either in simple cases with computer assessments, but as courses become more advanced, with the help of a tutor.

The majority of people studying online are aiming to gain an online degree, usually a bachelor's degree. According to the Learning Consultancy, it can take up to six years to gain enough credits for an online degree, but on the way many people find that the new courses they have studied helps them to get better jobs, or to progress in their own job.

If you find that studying online is the only realistic way to improve your qualifications, you will accept that it takes time to do this properly. But by studying online you can improve your job prospects and also increase the amount of salary you are likely to earn over your working life - without disrupting your working and family life. That sounds like a good investment to me.

If you are like me, you will be rushing around like a headless chicken trying to get everything tidied up off your desk at work. You'll also be on a shopping high, buying presents and all those things that you buy just because it's Christmas. If you're running the household, you'll also be planning festive meals, catering for visitors and decorating the house.

So doing your online learning is the last thing that you are thinking about. And if this is the case, why not simply finish up any outstanding assignments and then put the program out of your way until a quiet time in the holiday?

You can really benefit from not studying for a time. Indeed, it's highly possible that you will find that you think of all kinds of new and fresh ideas when you come back to your studies, just because your subconscious has had opportunity to work away without interference.

It's at this time of the year when I realise that I've been wasting my time studying Turkish, accounting and other subjects online. I should have studied the handicrafts or more practical subjects, so that I can make Christmas presents for my friends and family, and I can tackle the jobs around the house.

Online courses can be really effective in these kinds of subjects, partly because you can take as long as you need to study a particular process, and partly because your course documentation is so good. So when you are looking for your online degree, take a look at the other more practical courses as well - you may well find something that helps you in your hobbies as well as your career