Learning Online: The Ups And Downs

So I know a lot of universities (and other programs) have started to latch onto the idea that online education is the future. And in some ways, I agree. However, I think I will always be an advocate for in-person education (for several reasons), but I will admit there are definite benefits to online education.

For starters, there's the obvious benefit of working and learning on your schedule. This is great for students who work during the day or whose schedules otherwise prevent them from attending in-person classes. Also, it's a good option when you have other classes that meet in person and you need that one class that doesn't fit anywhere else in your existing schedule. As a student who has taken a couple of online classes myself, I really do enjoy the flexibility it provides. Of course you still have specific due dates to meet, but it's a lot easier to do that when you have the choice to do your classwork at midnight (if need be, and let it be noted that I wouldn't wish that on anyone). It also really helps if you're super motivated and like to work ahead (which can sometimes be difficult in a traditional class because you don't always know what the specific assignments will be) because there are oftentimes opportunities for you to chunks of the class at a time, which saves you a lot of time and headache later in the semester.

I will say, though, that if you're thinking about taking an online class, you should be prepared to work. Possibly harder than you would if you were taking an in-person class. You have to be able to teach yourself to an extent, but remember that the instructors are there for you, too. The instructors of these courses never get to see your face, and they only get to communicate with you through email, so they don't know if you're struggling with a concept. They only see your performance on the assignments, and how often/for how long you logged into the course. The only way to let them know if you're dealing with outside circumstances is to tell them. I was a teaching assistant for an online course for three semesters plus a summer semester, and let me tell you from experience, one of the most frustrating things is when a student contacts you at the end of the semester and tells you everything they were dealing with over the course of the semester and why they should get some sort of extra credit. Believe me, it's a lot easier to tell the instructor if you even anticipate problems arising and be wrong than to scramble at the end of the semester and miss out on possible accommodations.

All of that is to say, basically, that there are definite benefits to having online options for learning, but there are also some serious downsides. For instance, if you are a very reading/writing-oriented learner, you'll probably do a lot better in an online course than someone who is very aural, because most of these online courses (at least the ones I've had experience with) use limited sound bytes. Although you definitely can make it work, just take into account how you learn; online courses don't work for everyone.

Like I mentioned earlier, I tend to operate better in a traditional class, but I understand that other people prefer the online setting. I don't think that online education will completely take over traditional classes, because there are too many people with too many different learning styles and preferences to exclusively offer one format or another, but online courses have their benefits in the busy age we live in, especially for adults who are returning to school and may have nontraditional scheduling needs.

If you have other experiences or opinions about online education, please feel free to let me know! I'm interested in hearing what you all think.

Love Always,

Kristin

I Guess You Could Call It A Calling...

Hello all,

First off, Happy (belated) New Year! I can't believe I've waited this long to post something in 2015. I just wanted to start off by saying that I am super excited for this year, and I can't wait to see what God does in my life and the lives of those around me. I guess you could say I'm super positive about it.

New Year's resolutions aren't really my thing. I mean, I always start thinking that I'll change my habits, get healthier, get into a good non-stressful routine, but it's really just wishful thinking. I know that they don't work for me, that I have to work on one thing at a time and gradually adjust. I think that's where a lot of people catch themselves, because we expect ourselves to be able to do a complete 180-degree turn and change all aspects of our lives at the same time, just because we're in a new year, but each change takes work and dedication and focus. So I'm focusing on a handful of things to work on (not fix completely) in 2015.

One of those things is my writing. I've gotten seriously out of practice with my writing, and that saddens me. NaNoWriMo in November was kind of a flop, just because I was so busy with school. So to remedy this, I've decided (as I'm writing this, actually) to make it a point to write recreationally at least three days a week. I have a book of writing exercises, and I'll probably start with those to get back in the swing of things. I know that writing is a gift I've been given, and I haven't been using it. I feel more depleted when I don't write, and I want to feel full in that aspect again. I love writing and I know that's what I'm supposed to do (at least one of the things), so why am I not doing it?

This is me asking all of you to keep me accountable. I've got big goals for 2015, but my motivation tends to run out around the end of January. That makes it kind of difficult to accomplish anything, you know?

Let me know if you have any goals or plans you would like accountability for, and I'll be happy to check in with you and keep you encouraged! Feel free to email me and tell me what you've got going on, and I'll keep in touch with you.

kristinpaige.ok@gmail.com

Love Always,

Kristin