If you have ever asked yourself, "Is it really possible to learn online?", "Would I make a good online student?", or "What is distance education?" then you definitely made the right chose in visiting this page. The idea of taking online courses can be an intimidating thought for anyone interested in either continuing their academic career or just starting one, but it does not have to be. Online classes are often very different than traditional face-to-face classes because of how the material is presented, the communication between peers and instructors, and the overall learning experience. Here at Mercy we do not want to see anyone, especially future students, enroll into a program or course that may not be right for them. So before you decide whether online learning is right for you please take a moment and read through the following questions and answers:
Distance Education refers to any learning experience that allows knowledge and content to be conveyed, using a variety of technologies, beyond physical space and time. In the past distance education meant that you were completing your coursework either through mail correspondence (commonly referred to as "snail mail") or over the phone. Enter the 21st century which has allowed students the opportunity to complete coursework through live video feeds or completely online where the experience is student centered. Individuals who thought it impossible to further their education because they couldn't attend a face-to-face course now have the ability to take courses that fit into their schedule.
Good question and the answer is no! This is a very common question that is asked by a number of people who are used to the typical face-to-face practice where you come in, sit down, and leave about an hour later. Course materials and communication occur in an online environment asynchronously which means the information can be accessed when it is most convenient for the user.
One of the major expectations of an online student is effective time management. Online courses often require at least as much, if not more time and commitment than traditional courses. In a typical face-to-face course a student taking a typical three credit hour course is expected to dedicate about six to ten hours a week, which includes in class time. The same holds true for an online course where some students find themselves dedicating six to twelve hours a week. The real question that you want to ask yourself is how serious am I about my education and my future? Hopefully your answer is "very serious", in which case the amount of time you will end of spending a week will mean nothing compared to the educational experience that you intend to receive.
Unlike a face-to-face course where you have to raise your hand and hope that your question is answered. Online courses offer a number of ways to communicate with classmates both individually and as a group using tools built directly into the online system. Many of these tools are asynchronous in nature and allow students to communicate whenever is most convenient for them. Consider email, which is probably one of the most used asynchronous tools available. When you send an email you often have to wait to receive a reply because the individual on the receiving end decides to reply to the email when it is most convenient for them. Some of the tools are synchronous which allow users to communicate as if they are talking on the phone or using Instant Messenger. Always keep in mind that your classmates and instructor are not able to view the same visual cues or body language that you would use in a face-to-face course. If you are experiencing any difficulties whether technical or related to the subject matter, let the instructor know.
Let me just say you don't need to be a computer programmer or hacker to succeed, but you are expected to have some basic technology skills, such as word processing and an understanding of web browsers. The technology that you are definitely going to be expected to have is a high speed internet connection which will allow you to take part in all the learning experiences provided in the courses offered at Mercy College. If you are beginning to question whether your current computer meets the necessary requirements please direct your attention to the
technical requirements.
Not only are you lucky to have found this website which has introduced you to the excellent online opportunities available here at Mercy College but you are equally as fortunate to be considering an online education here in Ohio. For several years the State of Ohio has been making education a primary focus in an effort to establish a more highly educated workforce here in Ohio. With that in mind a free, non-credit, fully online course called
E4ME, offered by the Ohio Learning Network (OLN), was designed to familiarize prospective online students with the complete online learning experience.
While the questions listed above are complete in that they answer the most basic questions, it is understood that there are a number of questions that may still need answered before anyone can decide whether distance education is the right option. The good news is since you have made it this far in the process it probably means you need to ask yourself whether distance education is right for you. For more help with deciding whether or not to become an online student, investigate the links below:
