O1 Preparing to learn online

O1-b: Understanding the similarities and differences between traditional and online courses

O1-bUnderstand the similarities and differences between traditional and online courses.

Traditional and online courses share important similarities. In both situations, instructors and colleges establish learning outcomes, and students complete tasks and assignments to show that they have achieved those outcomes. In both types of courses, students are expected to read course materials, participate in discussions, complete writing assignments, and perhaps take tests or complete other assessments. The primary difference between online and traditional courses is how information is communicated.

MY ONLINE LEARNING

“What really surprises me is that taking an online course is far harder than taking a regular in-class course. I thought that it would be a breeze to take an online course, but it is the opposite. I came to like it because of the flexibility—and the fact that I’m never stuck in traffic getting to class.”

—Glennard Tiu, student, Santa Monica College

While students and instructors in most traditional classes interact with both spoken and written communication, students and instructors in online courses typically interact through written communication: posted lectures, downloadable presentations, and typed discussion posts. This communication is usually asynchronous—that is, the participants are not online at the same time. For example, you might be referring to material that your instructor posted at the beginning of the course or responding to discussion posts that a classmate wrote the previous day. When synchronous (or real-time) activities, such as chat-based meetings, are built into an online course, some form of written communication is usually involved. The chart at the bottom of this page describes some of the activities that are common to both traditional and online writing courses. Notice their similarities as well as their differences.

As you learn Take a few minutes to reflect on the lists of activities that are typical in online and traditional courses. (See the chart that begins on this page.) In your online course, have you found the activities more similar or less similar to the activities you have experienced in traditional courses? What surprises you about either the similarities or the differences between the two kinds of courses?

While an online format can make your course more convenient and accessible, it won’t necessarily make your course easier. In fact, because students are responsible for reading, digesting, and reviewing course content on their own time and for typing thoughtful messages instead of listening and talking in class, the total time spent completing an online course might actually be greater than the total time spent completing a traditional, on-campus course. With the chart at the bottom of the page as a guide, check your own assumptions against the realities of online learning, and adjust your schedule or behaviors as needed. You might also want to seek advice or feedback from a student who has completed an online course.

Typical activities in traditional and online writing courses

	Traditional (on-campus) courses	Online courses
LECTURES	Lectures are delivered in person at a specific time. A slide show presentation or notes may be available afterwards, but the lecture itself can’t be re-created.	Lectures are delivered as Web pages (within the course platform), attached documents, slide show presentations, or other media. These materials are often available at students’ convenience and for review at any point during the semester.
DISCUSSIONS	In many class sessions, a few students participate more than the others. Students might be expected to facilitate discussions. Each discussion is a one-time event; the exact situation and content can’t be re-created.	Typically, all students are required to contribute and read their peers’ comments. Students might be expected to facilitate discussions. Students can usually review messages from earlier discussions throughout the semester.
ESSAY ASSIGNMENTS	Writing assignments often follow a process approach: Students might complete prewriting, revision, and editing activities during class or at home.	Writing assignments often follow a process approach: Students might complete prewriting, revision, and editing activities online or offline.
PEER FEEDBACK	Students typically exchange and comment on peers’ work according to set criteria. The feedback is primarily face-to-face, with some written comments.	Students e-mail or post their work for other students to review. The feedback occurs as typed comments on a paper or posts to a discussion board.
QUIZZES, TESTS, AND SIMILAR ASSESSMENTS	Assessments are typically completed on paper in class; questions might be in multiple-choice, short-answer, or essay format. The time limit for quizzes and tests is usually rigid.	Assessments are typically completed online using quiz tools; questions might be in multiple-choice, short-answer, or essay format. The time limit might be rigid or flexible.
CONFERENCES	Conferences are typically face-to-face during class or in the instructor’s office during office hours.	Instructors might conduct conferences by e-mail, by phone, or in a chat. Instructors might ask students who live nearby to come to campus for a face-to-face meeting.

Faulty assumptions versus the realities of online learning

Faulty assumption	Reality
The online course will be easier than its on-campus equivalent.	The course content and assignments will be similar to those of an equivalent on-campus course.
The online course will take less time than its on-campus equivalent.	Because most of the communication is written rather than spoken, you’ll probably spend more rather than less time completing an online course. Expect to spend three to five hours per week, per course credit, completing your work. For example, a three-credit, semester-length course will require nine to fifteen hours each week. Accelerated courses (full courses completed over six or eight weeks, for example) might require twenty or more hours each week.
The online course schedule is completely flexible; you can complete assignments at any time.	Most online courses follow a strict schedule. Instructors usually set due dates for all assignments. While you can often read material or complete the assignments before the due dates, you typically can’t post content after the due dates.
Because the course content is available online, you can pick and choose the order in which you complete assignments.	Many instructors discourage working ahead by limiting access to subsequent weeks’ work. Also, many assignments follow a specific order; you’ll probably have to complete several steps in sequence, and your access to certain information may be limited until you have completed preliminary steps.
Group projects aren’t assigned in online courses because students don’t sit in class together. All work is completed independently.	Discussions and group work are common components of online courses. Expect to communicate often with your instructor and your peers.
You won’t need your own computer or Internet connection to complete an online course—you’ll just need access to a computer lab.	The computer lab might be closed or crowded when you need to be online. Having your own reliable equipment and Internet access helps you manage your time effectively.