Online: Is the
option for you?
©2001 by Rich Cameron
Rich Cameron
Issue date: 5/15/02 Section: Journalism Prgrm
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But is the online option for you? This intro to the Mass Media and Society course shows you some of the benefits and the disadvantages of an online course.
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Journalism 100 -- Mass Media and Society is an exciting course that surveys the mass media all around us. It is offered in two versions some semesters: a regular course that meets daytimes twice a week or an online version. The two versions are, in essence, the same course. Only the manner in which you take the course is different. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Which is for you?
For most students, the traditional course is the best method. But for those who have the self-discipline, the online version offers some tempting advantages.
THE TRADTIONAL COURSE
Mass Media and Society is offered mornings each semester. Most students are familiar with the traditional format and find it gives them the structure they need to succeed.
- You know when you need to attend class.
- You have face-to-face contact with the instructor.
- You can work with other students.
- You ask questions of the instructor and you get answers right away.
- When the instructor is sick, you get the day off.
- For some, the time period the class is offered is inconvenient.
- For others the drag of having to come to class twice a week, fighting traffic and looking for a parking space along the way, is too much.
The online version gives you more freedom. But it is NOT a self-paced course. Work still is due twice a week. But,
- You don't have to sit in class at a specific time.
- You can complete assignments any time of day you want.
- Scheduling classes is more convenient.
- You might be able to take the class from work or from home.
- Students mistake online courses as being easy.
- They think that the course is self-paced, that they can do all the work in one big push and be done with it.
- Often they have the best of intentions, but misjudge their ability to get started and develop their own structure for the course.
As with the traditional class, you'll be expected to "attend the online class" a minimum of twice a week and complete assignments twice a week. You'll be doing the same kinds of assignments as the traditional class.
A fair assessment of your workload for this class each week is as follows:
(based on 18-week semester. Multiply for shorter term classes)
- 1 to 1.5 hours a week reading from the textbook
- 1 to 2 hours a week reading online lectures
- 1.5 to 2 hours a week surfing the web and completing homework assignments
- 1.5 to 2 hours once every other week watching movies at home or in the library (see Go to the Movies)
- 1.5 to 2 hours once every three weeks or so taking a test
Some of this workload, such as the lectures, movie watching and test taking, is built into the class time in the traditional course.
If you choose the online version of the course here are some tips to help you succeed:
- Do the first assignment right away. Don't put it off. Turn in all assignments when they are due.
- Forget the school's e-mail system. Until the college updates the system it currently offers students, you'll find it cumbersome.
- Even if you have your own e-mail address already, subscribe to a free e-mail account and have the mail sent to it automatically forwarded to you other account. That way, should your regular e-mail service be interrupted you can fall back on the free account from virtually any internet connection.
- Get the book(s) immediately. Don't put it off. Almost every student who has put off getting the books -- even one week-- has fallen behind and has trouble catching up.
- Treat the course as a real course, because it is. Plan a time for each day you are going to work on the course. It can be at three in the morning while you sit in front of your computer naked if you want, but schedule specific times. If you were taking the course in a traditional manner you'd be sitting in the classroom three hours a week and then having to put in additional hours for homework. Expect no less from the online class.
- If you experience a computer failure contact the instructor IMMEDIATELY. Don't put it off for a few days or a week.
- And remember that it is NOT a self-paced course. Working ahead is discouraged and turning in assignments late is not allowed.
- Don't plan a cruise or vacation to a remote location in the middle of the semester unless you plan to find an Internet connection on the road to complete your assignments. You'd be surprised how many students think they can just skip out for a few weeks just because they don't have to be sitting in a classroom on campus.
If you still have questions feel free to contact me and ask them. But be sure to include the subject line: J100x-QUESTION--YourLastName
Rich Cameron, rcameron@cerritos.edu.
