My Experience with Online Learning

Online Learning has enabled me to further my education. Many people do not understand the importance of the opportunity that online learning offers to so many different people. When I enrolled in college, I was the first member of my family to do so. I must say receiving an acceptance letter from the University was a most spectacular occasion. However, I knew that I must maintain a job to pay for my higher education and so many employers are unwilling to work around the scheduling constraints of a college student, and I knew I would not spend my time flipping burgers at McDonald's. Not that there is anything wrong with working at a fast food restaurant. I will admit, things were not looking promising. I could not afford to go to school without a job, but I couldn't give up the chance of an education either. When I heard about Online Learning, I knew this was my chance to finally get a college education.

Online Learning is a wonderful opportunity for people who normally could not attend class for many reasons such as physical limitations, lack of transportation or the harsh realities of work. If you have never heard about online learning, I would like to share some information on what an online class is an how they work.

I begin by logging on to my web page for online learning. Then all of my classes appear on screen. I click on whatever class I am interested in working on. As an example If I click on my Ethics, Values and Moralities class, the homepage for the class pops up. I can check my grades, email my professor or classmates, and see where I am on the assignments schedule. Power point presentations might be awaiting me, or I might have a test or quiz to take. There are many study guides, discussions and resources available for me to use and participate in.

I have had classes that are simple. Read the text, study and when I am ready I take the test. Some classes have no homework or assignments to complete, and a few classes do not even require the purchase of a text book. However, many classes do require text books. These classes generally require as much homework as a traditional class. Some classes require that you purchase an access code if you purchase a used text book.

Online Learning is not an independent course of study, but you have the flexibility to work at your convenience. This is what is the highlight for me. I can attend class at any hour of the day, any day of the week or holiday. I pay a little more in tuition for the privilege of taking online classes, but it is worth it to me, because I am able to pursue my education on my own terms.

If you wish to continue your education but it seems to be an unrealistic goal I would strongly encourage you to consider online learning. Online classes require as much work as a traditional class, but they are more flexible than a traditional class.