What's it like to study online?

As with all new methods of completing things, and education is no different, there is always going to be intrigue, and probably some trepidation as to what the reality of these new methods actually are.

Especially for people that have become used to the ‘tradional’ methods of learning.

Attending a lecture, listening, making notes, taking home your assignment, and class notes, to further embed that particular lecture’s message, and demonstrate your ability to understand and apply what you have just learned.

The interesting thing being, that the majority of work done outside of a lecture, or lesson, is reliant on computers and, in many cases, being able to source information from the appropriate online resource.

Therefore most of today’s students are already IT literate enough to complete their education via an online format.  And those that aren’t would need only minimal training to start using the resources available.

As in reality, the online learning method is not significantly different to the traditional classroom method detailed above.

Simply put, it is just that the ‘classroom’ becomes wherever you want it to be, and the schedule you run to can largely be dictated by yourself.

Lectures become available online, which can either be downloaded or streamed directly.  In both cases this also allows you the freedom to pause and rewind the lecture you are taking, as well as actually taking it at a time that suits you.

Some universities have their own software and website access for doing this, and some are also embracing the technology provided by others, Apple’s iTunes U being the obvious example.

Follow this link for an example of how lectures downloaded via iTunes U work.

Handouts and other lecture media are also made available for viewing and downloading online.  So you have the exact same information available that you would have, had you been sat in that lecture physically.

Yet you are in control of it, and as it is provided electronically it can be manipulated to suit yourself, even discarded or just left cluttering hard drive space rather than physical space in your own filling system.

Access to your fellow students and lecturers for support is also generally provided by remote means.

Student and subject specific online forums are a great place to share ideas, satisfy queries, and to quickly gain reassurance.  And with the global evolution of learning, you are likely to be able to find someone willing to connect with you at a time that again, suits you.  To get a taste of a student forum, see The Student Room’s website.

I believe that many students can find lecturers more accessible by online means too.  Physically tracking someone down, or joining the queue at their office door, can be very frustrating.

But email is a great way to communicate a specific question, and getting a tailored response, that the person you have asked has had to give considered attention to.

So, in summary the answer to this question is; it is a very similar experience, but with many, many upgrades.