Faulty assumption

Reality

An online course will be easier than its on-campus equivalent.

Although the delivery method is different, the course content and essay assignments will be similar to those in the course’s on-campus equivalent.

An online course will take less time than its on-campus equivalent.

Because most of the communication is written rather than spoken (and because it takes most people longer to type than to speak), you’ll probably spend more rather than less time completing an online course. Your school or department probably has a formula for estimating the time you will need for your online course. As a rule, you should expect to spend three to five hours per week, per course credit, completing work for a semester-length course. This means that a three-credit, semester-length course will require about nine to fifteen hours of your time each week. Accelerated courses might require twenty or more hours of your time each week.

An online course schedule is completely flexible; you can complete assignments at any time.

Most online courses follow a strict schedule. The instructor will probably designate set due dates for discussion posts, essay drafts, peer review posts, quizzes, and other assignments and activities. While you can often read material or complete the assignments at any time before the due dates, you typically can’t post content after a due date has passed.

Because all of the content is online all the time, you can pick and choose the order in which you complete assignments.

Most online course assignments follow a specific order; you’ll probably have to complete several steps in sequence to complete longer assignments. Some instructors might restrict access to certain information until you have completed preliminary steps. (Check your syllabus for specific information.)

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. For most courses, you should expect to communicate with your instructor and your peers on a regular basis throughout the semester. You might even be required to complete a group paper or project.

You won’t need your own computer or Internet connection to complete an online course—just access to a computer lab.

Most students who attempt to complete an online course without their own computer or Internet connection have difficulties managing their time effectively. Because the computer lab might be closed or crowded when you need to be online, it is best to have your own reliable equipment and Internet access.

Online learning is like independent study.

In independent study, you work alone on a topic under the supervision of an instructor after you set a path for learning: readings, research, fieldwork, writing. In an online course, you are joining an online community, and the learning is social. You are expected to establish lines of communication and relationships with others, to participate actively, and to help others be successful.

I can avoid close scrutiny from the instructor in an online class.

There is much less privacy in an online course than in a face-to-face course. Online instructors can track your movements on the class site, monitor every contribution you make, and see the time and date of every action you take.