{"id":3222,"date":"2020-06-02T09:58:49","date_gmt":"2020-06-02T14:58:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abound.college\/gradschool\/?post_type=advice&#038;p=3222"},"modified":"2020-06-02T09:58:49","modified_gmt":"2020-06-02T14:58:49","slug":"what-are-online-courses","status":"publish","type":"advice","link":"https:\/\/abound.college\/gradschool\/advice\/what-are-online-courses\/","title":{"rendered":"What are Online Courses?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Online courses are becoming more ubiquitous as colleges adapt to students\u2019 changing needs. As a result, more colleges are offering courses and even entire degrees online. Online schooling can be a cheaper, more convenient way to get your degree. You might be wondering what online courses are like and whether you will be successful in one. Continue reading to learn about the different types of online courses, the pros and cons of an education online and, importantly, how to succeed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Types of Online Learning<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A couple of the biggest attractions of online courses are their flexibility and your freedom to study on your own schedule. But not every online course lets you work at your own pace. Take note of the two types of online learning: synchronous and asynchronous.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Synchronous: <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Synchronous online learning refers to virtual lectures and discussion boards that require participation at determined times. These courses follow a similar structure to an on-campus course, so there is less flexibility in the times at which you study. However, these courses can be beneficial for those who struggle with time management or crave a more collaborative learning environment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Asynchronous:<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Asynchronous courses do not follow a set schedule, so they allow students to complete the coursework at their own pace. Students with unconventional schedules or family and work obligations may benefit from self-paced learning.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">No matter the style of the course, you will need to keep track of deadlines and exams, most of which will be predetermined.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Pros and Cons of Online Learning<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Pros:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Online courses have significantly altered the path to a college degree with a more accessible outlet to higher education. Advantages of online learning include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Increased flexibility:<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Online courses generally allow you to study wherever and whenever you want.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Faster completion time:<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Many online programs are accelerated, so you can earn your degree faster than you would in a traditional on-campus program.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Career advancement:<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> As online programs increase in popularity, so too do they diversify. There are now a variety of disciplines available to help nearly anyone advance their career.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Cons: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Just like traditional college courses, online learning has its own set of challenges that can be difficult to overcome. As you consider an online course, prepare for the following challenges:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Less access to professors: <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Learning and understanding your course material might be more difficult if you cannot consult your professor.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Requires stricter time management:<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Less structure and accountability can make it easier to neglect assignments.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Less access to advising or other campus amenities:<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> One of the biggest attractions of online courses is that you might never have to step foot on campus. But this can also be one of the biggest challenges, because you won\u2019t have direct, face-to-face access to advisors or your professor\u2019s office hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>How to Succeed in an Online Course:\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Online courses are a great alternative to traditional college courses, which might be what you need to get a degree. But keep in mind that a common misconception is that online courses are easier. In reality, they can be just as challenging\u2014if not more so\u2014than an on-campus course. In order to be successful in an online course, you will need excellent time management skills and a true sense of personal accountability. Another key to success is establishing different sources of support. Whether it\u2019s a campus advisor or friends and family, having a support system will help you stay focused and succeed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Though college is going to be challenging no matter where or how you study, there are many excellent schools that streamline non-traditional forms of education with a design to ensure success. And that\u2019s where we come in. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abound.college\/gradschool\/\">Abound: Grad School<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0can help get you in touch with schools that we can confirm are\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abound.college\/gradschool\/about\/how-schools-are-selected\/\">Accessible, Affordable, Accelerated, and Advanced<\/a><\/strong>. Take a look at the\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abound.college\/gradschool\/colleges\/\">schools<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0we trust and find the program that works for you.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Online courses are a great alternative to traditional college courses, which might be what you need to get a degree. Online courses are becoming more ubiquitous as colleges adapt to students\u2019 changing needs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":3223,"template":"","class_list":["post-3222","advice","type-advice","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","abound_advice_topics-thinking-about-grad-school","abound_advice_topics-online-degree","abound_advice_topics-right-program"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What are Online Courses? - Abound: Grad School<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Online courses are a great alternative to traditional college courses, which might be what you need to get a degree. 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