{"id":769,"date":"2017-10-14T01:39:34","date_gmt":"2017-10-14T01:39:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-jeffersoncc-englishcomp2kscopexmaster\/?post_type=chapter&p=769"},"modified":"2020-03-18T11:33:22","modified_gmt":"2020-03-18T11:33:22","slug":"769","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-jefferson-collegecomposition\/chapter\/769\/","title":{"raw":"Are Online English Courses Right for You?","rendered":"Are Online English Courses Right for You?"},"content":{"raw":"

A Brief Guide to Choosing Wisely<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nPurpose of This Guide<\/strong>\r\n\r\nStudents often enroll in online classes with little prior knowledge of this special instructional methodology, lacking experience with its unique format and its demand on their time, need for self-sufficiency and proactive attitude in order to succeed in online environment.\u00a0 When students take English courses online, the mismatch between their perception of an online learning environment and the demands of a writing- or literature-based course becomes often even more pronounced.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to explain and illustrate the general expectations of taking English courses online and the specific requirements of individual instructors to help students make informed decisions about which format is most suitable to their learning styles.\u00a0 It is important that each student selects courses in the format that matches best with his\/her learning style, be it a traditional or online class.\r\n\r\n\u00a0<\/strong>\r\n\r\nGeneral Expectations for English Online Courses<\/strong>\r\n\r\nAll of our online English courses are reading-based.\u00a0 Unlike an on-campus class, where the instructor goes over these types of materials, students in an online course must spend a considerable amount of time on their own reading the introductory material to the course, the instructor\u2019s lectures, assignment directions, and other students\u2019 discussion responses.\u00a0 All this is in addition to the normal, assigned content readings of the course, such as essays, poetry, novels, etc.\u00a0 Therefore, students must be strong readers<\/strong> and independent workers<\/strong>. Students must realize that an online course requires 7-10 hours a week; this is not an exaggeration.\r\n\r\nStudents should also consider that\r\n
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  • Online courses begin a week before on-campus classes.\u00a0 English instructors expect the introductory readings and exercises to be done during that week.<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Online courses are set up according to modules or units of instruction, each lasting 1-3 weeks. Students work together on one module at a time. Each module has an overview document, informational lectures by the instructor, discussion questions to be answered, and major assignments, such as tests or essays.\u00a0 In addition, students may be required to complete exercises, quizzes, summaries, and group work projects.\u00a0 All of these items have specific due dates!<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Online courses have attendance and participation requirements!<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Students must plan ahead, ask questions, and then wait for the instructor\u2019s response.\u00a0 This is very different from a classroom setting where a student can raise his or her hand and have the question answered immediately. \u00a0Our English faculty prides itself on responding to students\u2019 questions within 12-24 hours or sooner, but that\u2019s still not the same as an immediate answer in a classroom.<\/li>\r\n \t
  • All writing courses require research and documentation using MLA style format.\u00a0 Students must become proficient in asking worthwhile research questions, locating and evaluating sources, reading and paraphrasing information from their sources, and integrating different types of evidence from diverse sources into their papers.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n \r\n\r\nMyths about Online English Courses<\/strong>\r\n\r\nStudents often are confused or have the wrong idea about online English courses. The following are some of the most common misconceptions.\r\n\r\nMyth<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Online English courses are easier (or harder) than on-campus classes.\r\n\r\nFact<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rarely is an online English course easier than an on-campus class; always, though, these courses are different.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nMyth<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All online English 101 (or 218) courses are the same.\r\n\r\nFact<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each course is different, depending on the instructor\u2014just as on campus.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nMyth<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Students can\u2019t talk on the telephone or in person to the instructor.\r\n\r\nFact<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Instructors welcome the opportunity to talk with online students and help them in person when possible.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nMyth:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>These online courses are like independent study courses.\r\n\r\nFact:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>No.\u00a0 All online English courses have regular units of instruction, called modules, which all students work on at the same time.\u00a0 All online English courses have specific due dates for assignments, discussions, exams, etc.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nMyth:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Students can save all their work for online courses on the weekends.\r\n\r\nFact:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Not so!\u00a0 Students who leave their online course work for the weekends find themselves overwhelmed with reading and writing, nor can they complete their attendance or participation requirements all in two days.\u00a0\u00a0 If students take on-campus classes, those classes require homework on the weekend as well.\u00a0 Family and jobs also take up time on the weekend.\r\n
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    Advantages to Online English Courses<\/h3>\r\nFor many students, the advantages of an online English course outweigh the disadvantages!\u00a0 For example,\r\n