Have you ever taken an online class? If you haven’t, don’t worry – you’re like most of us. Many students who have never considered taking classes online or pursuing an online degree are weighing their options. However, many students believe that online courses aren’t as good as face-to-face classes for one reason or another. Some might ask, “Will I get the same interaction with my instructor and classmates?” or “What services will I miss out on if I’m not on campus?”
At Dickinson State University (DSU), we’re asking different questions: “What can we do to help ease your fears about online learning?”
Taking courses online shouldn’t mean that you have to sacrifice anything. You should be able to enjoy the same experience as a face-to-face student. We believe our students’ college experience should be enriching, enjoyable and memorable, no matter how our students decide to pursue their degree. That’s why we’ve been rethinking how we can better serve our students.
Are you wondering if pursuing an online education is right for you?
Let’s talk through some questions you might have about taking classes online!
Are online courses lower quality than face-to-face courses?
Dickinson State University’s online classes meet the same standards as face-to-face classes because of our accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission. Many of our departments, like business, nursing and teacher education, are also accredited by other associations. You can take a look at DSU’s accreditations here.
Will I learn as much as I would in a face-to-face class?
Online classes are often structured the same way as face-to-face classes! You will read a textbook, discuss the material with your peers and instructor, submit papers and take exams. You can also look back on the material you’ve covered with your classmates to study for tests, including PowerPoints your instructor created and recordings of their lectures. Some of that stuff may not have been available to you had you been taking the course face-to-face, and it might actually help you do better!
“I highly recommend taking an online class at DSU. I did not take a single face-to-face class from my favorite professor, Dr. Debora Dragseth, but she made her online classes fun, informative, and interesting. I learned just as much from her class if not more than I did from my face-to-face classes.” – Claire Shoffit, Master of Entrepreneurship
I’ve heard online courses are easier than face-to-face courses. Is that true?
Many students think they are taking the easy route by enrolling in an online class, but once you get started, you will find that’s not true! Taking online classes requires a lot of self-discipline. Since you won’t see your classmates and professor every few days, you’ll have to manage your time and keep up with your assignments on your own.
“When in an online class, it is important to understand what your teacher is asking of you and the deadlines associated with the assignments. If you are at all confused at the start of the class, it is best to get in touch with your teacher right away. If you can manage your time and are not afraid to contact your teachers, you will succeed in an online course!” – Taylor Weeks, Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business
It’s also a lot easier to become distracted in online classes. If you’re sitting at a coffee shop with your tablet trying to listen to a lecture, you not only have to cancel out the chatter around you, but you also have to make sure your tablet’s notifications don’t pull your focus away. Make sure to set yourself up for success by turning off notifications, and think about bringing headphones if you’ll be somewhere noisy!
Do online classes feel self-taught? I won’t have any deadlines until the end of the semester, right?
Try again! We already shared how DSU’s online courses are structured the same as face-to-face classes. Many of our professors record themselves as they teach the material for you to watch and discuss with your peers. Your instructor will also provide articles and other videos to help explain the material.
“While working full time and living away from campus, Dickinson State University’s online classes give me the flexibility of being able to do my homework around my schedule while offering the benefits of face-to-face lecture through videos that you are able to go back and rewatch if you miss the live version.” – Chelsey Ruud, Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management
Our classes are either eight- or 16-week courses, and most professors will break these down week by week. Just like in face-to-face courses, the reading and assignments for online classes build upon each other, so you’ll fall behind and possibly hurt your grade if you wait until the last minute! Also, some online discussions are only open for a few days for you to engage with. Keep an eye on your syllabus for important due dates!
Will my online courses transfer to other schools?
When you transfer to Dickinson State, our Academic Records office works with you to review your transcripts and figure out which credits will count toward your degree. We accept credits that you completed online from accredited institutions, and the same is true if you plan to transfer to another accredited school. If you’d like to start a conversation about transferring your classes, speak with our Academic Records office! Reach them at dsu.records@dickinsonstate.edu.
Do I have to have my own computer to study online?
Not at DSU! All of our courses have a page on Blackboard, our online learning platform, where you can find your class syllabus, assignments, discussion forums and any other resources your professor adds to assist you. Blackboard can be accessed online at any time, which means you can study using a public computer in your local library! We recommend buying an external hard drive or utilizing a cloud-based service in order to save your papers and homework assignments. That way, you’ll be able to access them wherever you are!
“I did have my own computer, but often times I would use the school’s computers to do my work when I had free time. I even completed some assignments on my phone while traveling or in a time crunch.” – Claire Shoffit, Master of Entrepreneurship
Isn’t it really easy to cheat in online classes?
It might seem that taking an online course allows you to cheat more easily, but that’s just not the case! Our professors set the standards their students must meet for each of their classes. It’s up to them if they allow their tests to be open-book or proctored. Open-book testing means that you can use your notes, your textbook and any other resources available to you while you take your online test. Proctoring means there is someone monitoring you as you take your exam, and this could be in-person or using a special software on a computer. Learn more about our Proctor Policy here.
Won’t it be hard getting ahold of my instructor?
Our professors hold office hours every week during which they can easily be met with or contacted, just like they would for face-to-face students! During these office hours, you can usually find a professor chatting on the phone with a student or hosting a Zoom call with a study group to help answer important questions before an exam. In addition, every course, whether it is online or face-to-face, has a page on Blackboard. You can communicate with your instructor through your class page on Blackboard or over your official University email address!
Will I get to interact with my classmates at all?
One of the staples of our online classes are discussion forums. Our professors often post questions in Blackboard to encourage discussions about the reading material between students and allow them to share their thoughts and opinions. Sometimes, this is even a requirement!
We know that some of the best connections you make during college take place outside the “classroom.” DSU manages accounts on several social media platforms that are dedicated to our students. You can stay in-the-know about what’s going on and can connect with other students you find through these pages!
“My online professor, Dr. Dragseth, is one of the best teachers I have had in college. She paired us in groups, so I interacted with my classmates almost on the daily.” – Claire Shoffit, Master of Entrepreneurship
“When I signed up for online classes, I was concerned I would not get to know the other classmates and would miss out on valuable discussion. I was mistaken because the classes I have taken not only require discussion questions, but there is very good interaction among us. We have also had two group projects and that has again encouraged interaction with fellow classmates.” – Cill Skabo, Master of Entrepreneurship
Are there more services available to face-to-face students than to me?
We’ve spent a lot of time making sure all the same services that are available to our face-to-face students are also available to those taking classes online. The students working for DSU’s Tutoring Center often meet with other students using videoconferencing and screen sharing platforms so they can talk about papers and homework assignments. DSU’s Stoxen Library has a large number of online databases where you can find resources to help you write your papers, and the library staff is so helpful when it comes to figuring out how to use these resources! Our mental health services are available online, and you can connect with your advisor and start picking out classes for your next semester online, too! Contact our Student Opportunities and Resource (SOAR) Center about student services at dsu.soar@dickinsonstate.edu.
“The staff at Dickinson State University has always gone out of their way to reply in a timely manner as well as provide the same services as students that are taught face-to-face.” – Taylor Weeks, Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business
So, what are you waiting for?
If you’d like to get your admission process for this fall started, contact our Admissions office at dsu.hawk@dickinsonstate.edu. If you’re a current student and considering taking classes online next semester, talk with your advisor about your options!
#hawksareup
Helpful Resources:
Sources:
- https://online.illinois.edu/articles/online-learning/item/2017/02/14/10-common-misconceptions-about-online-courses
- https://www.petersons.com/blog/5-most-common-misconceptions-about-online-education/
- https://www.rasmussen.edu/student-experience/college-life/myths-about-online-learning/
- https://www.purdueglobal.edu/blog/online-learning/5-myths-online-learning/
