Is Online Right for Me?
Thinking of taking an online course? Here’s what you need to know.
Online Learning is offered in four formats: Internet (I), Internet Synchronous (IS), Blended (L), and Hybrid (Y). For more information on these formats see the CFCC Catalog and Student Handbook.
BE INFORMED!
Online courses often require more time and work than in face-to-face courses. In a traditional face-to-face course, you are expected to spend three hours working outside of class for every hour in class. However, this does vary. In an online course, many of these “outside” hours are built into the assignments and can be tracked, forcing you to actually commit yourself to spend the full amount of time on the course.
Online courses are not self-paced. Online courses at CFCC typically have firm deadlines just like face-to-face courses. In fact, many instructors keep identical schedules in their online and face-to-face courses.
KNOW WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED ONLINE.
- Self-motivation and time management skills. Although online courses are not self-paced, they do require you to keep up with a set schedule. In a fully online (Internet) course, this is especially important as you do not have regular face-to-face meetings to remind you of deadlines.
- A computer with reliable internet access that you have access to every day.
- Basic computer skills like typing, emailing, attaching files, and navigating file structures. Online courses assume a basic level of computer competency. If you have never or rarely used a computer before or simply don’t feel comfortable using new technology, you should consider taking a computer skills course before you move on to the Internet, Internet Synchronous, Blended, or Hybrid courses.
