Online College Course Survival Guide: What to Expect in an Online Classroom

Enrolling in an online course can be intimidating and the fear of going back to school can be overwhelming. After spending years in a traditional classroom, I didn’t know what to expect. Would there still be class lessons? Would participation count toward my grade? The simple answer to these questions is YES and CSU Global provides great tips and insights for online students. I quickly realized that the ingredients that make up a physical classroom also apply in an online environment.

The Environment

Online courses are taught on an interactive platform that allows students to access course content, submit assignments, use the library, and connect with their classmates. CSU Global uses the platform Schoology, where professors post weekly updates to keep in touch with students, and many professors also schedule video lectures throughout the course of the class. Schoology is also a great way to connect and meet face to face.

The Workload

Online classes require just as much work as any other class. The major difference is you will not be physically attending any lecture — however, you will be reading lecture transcripts. This requires a lot of self-discipline and This requires a lot of self-discipline and diligence to keep up with studying and the workload.

In Schoology, class content is organized into weekly folders containing course materials, including:

• Lectures
• Required reading assignments
• Suggested readings for further insight
• Required homework (papers, quizzes, milestone projects)
• Discussion forum (this is where participation comes into play)

To stay on track in class, it is essential to access the folders weekly. Just as in a traditional class, there are penalties for late or missed assignments, as well as for lack of participation. Students are required to post weekly in discussions and interact with classmates. Overall, the workload is no less than in a traditional classroom.

Online Faculty

I’ve heard students say they’re wary of online degree programs because they’re concerned that professors don’t have the same academic qualifications as traditional, higher education faculties. I discovered that the CSU Global faculty members have the same credentials and experience as traditional professors. My online instructors provide the same support as those in a traditional setting. They’re required to have office hours and are available via email and phone (some professors even encourage sending texts). They also provide the same feedback on classwork. In my experience, the quality of online education is equivalent to a traditional setting. The environment takes some adjusting to (just like any change), but this is doable for anyone serious about furthering their education.