Are online courses harder than a regular community college class?

I might take an online course and I need some information on it before I register.

Are online courses harder than a regular community college class?
It is not so much a matter of one being easier or harder than the other, but it depends upon you and how you learn. If you are a good independent learner, like to find things out for yourself, study on your own and at your own schedule, and don't need the input of class discussions, then on line courses may be great for you.





Here is a link to a well recognized distance education university in Canada. If you browse through their site, you may get answers to some of your questions. I hope this helps.
Reply:On -line courses are great because you can work from home at your own pace. You must be sure to take the time to do the work and not pass the work in late, e-mailed. no excuse. Tests are timed, studying is usually open book. Posts on a board are required so you must keep up to date and interact with the professor and you will do well. A syllibus is presented and clearly outlined with your work for the semester. you can pass in work ahead of time and even take tests if you feel ready, open dialog with the professor is the best advice. I like them once in a while.
Reply:That depends upon the courses and the school. Different instructors use different styles of teaching. Some books are written better than others. Some courses are simply difficult no matter who teaches or what teaching style is used. Thermodynamics is not easy period. Music appreciation may or may not be easy. How much can you goof off in my class is tough? You get the idea.


My on line courses were easier than in-room studies. The work was simpler. It was approached from the idea that I was completely ignorant. Everything was explained including the obvious. Your experience at a different school and with a different background might be...well different.
Reply:You really need to ask yourself some questions before you sign up for any on-line courses.


1. How motivated are you to work without face to face contact with the instructor?


2. How good is your computer equipment/connection?


3. How computer literate are you? (or how much are you willing to learn?)


4. Will the instructor help you with learning the program needed to do assignments, or do they just expect you to know it?


5. Do you learn well independently? (and do you think you are good in the particular subject you are considering taking??) I would NEVER take a math class online, but I might take a humanities course online.


6. What are the instructor's availability to work with you?





You might try to meet with the instructor before you sign up for the course. Discuss any concerns you have about the subject, your ability to learn independently, and maybe even get a copy of their syllabus for the course. (Look at the policies for late assignments, technology requirements, etc.)





Good luck!
Reply:If you are looking for the easy way out, you are looking for the wrong thing.





Your question is like asking "Is it harder to cook a microwave dinner or a bowl of cereal?" when you should be asking "How can I cook a full course meal?" You should be asking which is better for you, not which is harder.





No one will take an online degree seriously. No employers will take an associate's degree very seriously. A community college will at least prepare you to get into a four year college.





Go to a four year college if you can. If your choice is between community college and an on-line college -- choose the community college.
Reply:Online courses are easier as compared to regular college courses especially if you have difficulty with your time or schedule. Online course makes you manage your own time while lets you complete the course. That's one aspect that makes it easier or aptly say less time pressure.
Reply:I've taken one online course through a community college. I didn't like it - I wouldn't say that it was easier or harder than regular courses - just different. And, I can tell you that I didn't learn anything. Just take the notes - highlight in the text - have the text handy for the online test. As long as you can look the answers up quickly you are fine. I wasn't impressed with the teacher or the way she handled questions. She tried to have group involvement by using a bulletin board type thing for some class discussion - it was a joke. By the way - the class I took was Business Law, I was 38 at the time. Hope some of this helps (at least I hope it doesn't make your decision even tougher!).
Reply:This all depends on the individual in my opinion.





Because a class is online, you're not pushed to really learn the material because you always have your book to refer to when you are doing work online.





If you don't understand the material after reading the book, online professors are not always available to ask questions like they would be if you had a lecture class.





A lecture class with a professor that really knows the material is usually helpful because many professors are able to help you understand the material. In a lecture class, many times professors are able to explain the material a little better than the book because they are able to relate the material to your life to help you understand. An online teacher will hardly ever do that.





There are pros and cons of online classes:


Pros:


*You can do the work on your own time (even in the middle of the night)


*You never have to walk inside of a classroom, which is always hard when you have an early class





Cons:


*Professors are less available to you if you do have questions


*If you're not a motivated indivdiual, will you really read the material?





I took a few online courses when I was in school and liked it because I did not have to go to a class. However, I never retained any of the material because I did just enough work to do well on the tests, which were always online.





Good luck