What is so great about online classes?

If you have considered taking an online class you are not alone. Access to online learning opportunities continues to grow exponentially. If you want to find something out or connect with new developments anywhere in the world, you can quickly find answers on the Internet. With social networking tools like facebook, twitter, vine, YouTube and google plus it is possible to learn from one another in ways we likely wouldn’t have dreamed of even ten years ago.

Post secondary institutions around the globe now offer every type of training and learning opportunity imaginable. The reality is that after high school, you will encounter some form of distance learning experience. You will be communicating via the Internet and carrying out daily tasks that involve some online service. Public schools around the world have begun to provide distance learning opportunities as another means of meeting individual learning needs. Learning, communicating and in some cases working online has become a common reality everywhere.

So back to the question: ………..What is so great about online classes?

This is a question that I ask students at the beginning of an online English class as a starting point for writing. Here are a few of the responses. There appear to be a few underlying themes here.  What do you think?  (You can share your thoughts in a comment below.)

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“I like that I can go online and go onto my class and do how much work and whenever I want to or when I have enough time to finish a few lessons”

“I like the fact that I get to work on my very own time. I hate being around people and especially not in a classroom. I feel I can spend more time online doing my work after I'm home from school. I feel more motivated and focused on my work here but I still have to focus on work in school.”

“I like online classes. I can do this class anywhere and it is new and different to me.”

“Online classes are better then normal school classes in my opinion because wherever you are as long as you have internet you can finish your classes and you don't have to worry about falling behind.”

“I think what's great about taking online classes is that you can schedule a time to work on it and you don't have anyone distracting you. The differences between online classes and face-to-face classes is that you're not face-to-face with a teacher, and you don't have other students around you.”

“I like the fact that I get to work on a very flexible schedule. I like being alone, and not in a classroom. I feel that I can get a better understanding on learning here rather than being in a high school classroom. I feel more motivated and focused on my work here.”

“From my perspective online classes are very helpful. You get to log in anytime of the day and get to do these assignments on your own time, also you get to talk online which is very helpful. The difference between online and face-to-face is that online you can be at ease, work and concentrate on you're on time and at school it can be frustrating with all the noise around. In school you have all these priorities and assignments are limited to a class schedule.”

“The great thing about taking online classes is that you can work at your own pace, whether it's working ahead of others or going on a vacation and doing your online assignments there. Also the differences between online classes and face-to-face classes is that in face to face classes you can not really work on your own pace. You need to be on the same "chapter" as some teachers say as the other students. But taking online classes, it's a lot easier and more exciting to finish first!”

“Online classes fit to anyone's schedule and there are many benefits. You don't have to get up in the morning and get ready for class. You can log in any time of the day. You can work at your own pace. The difference between online and face-to-face is that you don't have to get up in front of the classroom and read or do presentations. When your online, there's no need to be shy. You’re in the comfort of your own home, preparing a future for yourself. Enough said.”

“Students can communicate with fellow students and instructors through blogs, discussion boards, and other online forums.”

“I am a very shy person, so I don't really like talking to teachers face to face. If I get something wrong they say something to me and look me in the eyes and I don't like that. With online its still face to face but they’re just farther away and its on computer. I think this class will be much easier for me and other students that are shy like me to be online. The good thing is that you can go on it whenever you want and finish your work.”

 “I think taking online classes are good because if you don’t have child care or your child is on a waiting list it’s good to be at home with your children while getting an education. It is also helpful to be able to work on it a home if you don’t have any transportation.”

“The great thing about online classes is that you can work at your own pace without restrictions, due dates or continuous reminders. Some say it takes out the social communication, I disagree because some of the assignments require help from another student or teacher. Doing online classes create more responsibility, more technology usage and better independent skills for each student.”