During your time at ACC, some of your classes may include online work to be completed independently.  This section debunks some of the myths of online learning.

Myth #1: It’s Easier

The Facts

The workload for any particular course is the same regardless of the way it’s delivered. And if you really think about it, there is more reading in online classes because you have to read all of your teacher’s instructions rather than hearing them in class. In an online environment, you need to be more self-disciplined and motivated because you won’t be facing the instructor every session. The good news is that online classes will give you the flexibility to learn when you are ready to learn and at times that work with your schedule. This can be an advantage for students with busy lives. In an online class you are not limited by set class times, so you don’t have to worry about conflicts with other classes you want to take, your work schedule, or other time constraints. Whether you decide to take your classes in a traditional or an online setting is up to you; one option really isn’t easier than the other. It’s all about finding the best fit for your life, your time, and your habits.

Myth #2: It’s Self-Paced

The Facts

Regardless of what you think you may be able to accomplish at your own speed, most online courses are not self-paced. Some instructors reveal all assignments ahead of time and others may roll out course topics and assignments incrementally. The most successful students will concentrate on their work at the pace that the teacher has laid out. Students are more successful when they give themselves time to focus on the course material and put their best effort into assignments rather than trying to rush though the course just to ‘get it done’. The online learning world is not much different from traditional campus courses: the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. The good news is that students who successfully complete online courses have found that the organizational skills they learned and used to complete their online courses made them better students in traditional courses they took later on.

Myth #3: It’s Cheaper

The Facts

Tuition fees for online courses are typically the same as your traditional on campus classes. But there some ‘hidden’ costs in taking a class on campus that you may have not considered such as the transportation cost of going to campus. Use an online cost-saving calculator to estimate if you will be able to save money by taking classes online.

Myth #4: Participation is Unnecessary

The Facts

Don’t be fooled by the illusion of anonymity in your virtual classroom. Even though you and your instructor may not be able to see one another, they can access reports on the quantity and quality of your course participation and they will because they want to know how you’re doing. Participation will definitely be a key component of any of your classes. In fact, sometimes faculty know more about their online students than their on-campus students. The good news is that online learning can provide you with the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with your professors and with other students taking the same course. Conversing online can seem strange or artificial at first, but once they get used to it, most people really enjoy online discussions. In an online course everyone has a chance to provide their input, and you have time to craft your thoughts before share them. You’re not bounded by the end of a class period or a limited discussion time. But you’ll also need to commit to participating effectively and you’ll need strategies to make this happen.

Myth #5: You Need Extensive Tech Skills

The Facts

Online learning generally does not require extensive technical knowledge, but you have to understand the basics about your computer, the Internet, and how to use your school’s learning management system (LMS).  You’ll learn more about Take the time to really understand your online environment before you get too far into the semester: you won’t want to wait until minutes before an assignment is due to learn which buttons you need to click in order to submit it.

Myth #6: My Instructors will be Available 24/7

The Facts

This is a misconception that we’re sure all instructors would like to be cleared up from the outset. Most of your instructors provide a maximum email turnaround time, typically between 24-48 hours. As a student, you need to plan ahead as much as possible, and be sure to have an alternate solution if you don’t hear back from your instructor before an assignment is due (remember, your assignments are your responsibility, not theirs). Some instructors include a “Questions About the Course” discussion thread where they encourage students to answer one another’s questions. This could be immensely helpful for you, and might be a way for you to help other students in turn. (Remember what we said about building classroom relationships?)

Another approach would be to reach out to another member of the class and exchange private emails to support each other throughout the semester. Because you’re not meeting with each other one or more times every week, it’s easy to feel isolated in an online course. Try some of these tactics so you can connect with others — you will get a lot more out of your classes if you do. Building supportive online relationships and friendships requires skill and practice. The good news is that students who develop good communication skills, learn to be assertive, and are able to cooperate and collaborate well in a virtual environment will find these skills highly transferrable (and valued) in their personal and professional lives long after their course is over.

Myth #7: Excuses Are Built In

The Facts

It’s likely that none of these excuses will work. Remember, your instructors have not only heard every excuse in the book (probably more than once), but they are also pretty tech savvy themselves — they are, after all, teaching a college-level online course. Make sure you understand your instructor’s expectations and that you comply with them in a timely manner, and keep an open channel of communication with them if you need help or have questions. Detailed information about your instructor’s policies and expectations should be included on their course syllabus. Some instructors also provide checklists for all deadlines. If your instructor does not, it might be helpful to create your own assignment checklist. The organizational and study skills you develop for your first online course will put you on the road to success for all your future learning experiences, whether they are online or in a traditional classroom environment.

Adapted from California Community Colleges.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. They are available to everyone and may be repurposed to meet the unique needs of educational institutions.