Online classes can be both a benefit and a challenge. The convenience is wonderful, but the amount of work given in such a condensed time frame can be overwhelming. When I first started taking online classes at The University of Phoenix in 2004, I was very confused as to how the process worked and concerned that I would not be able to keep up with the fast pace of the classes, the learning teams, and the many assignments given each week. It would have been a big help to have “how to” guide for maneuvering my way around the online environment as well as some tips on how to prioritize my time.
The most important thing to remember when taking online classes at the University of Phoenix is to stay organized and always keep track of what assignments are due when. Each instructor is different and has different requirements, and the student cannot go in to one class expecting it to be the same as the last. This definitely holds true when reviewing the instructor syllabus. There are aspects of the syllabus that the teacher has to follow exactly, but there are also certain things that are individual to the class and the instructor. For example, one instructor might take 10% of the grade off a late assignment where as another instructor may not take late assignments at all. Additionally, some instructors require assignments to be posted no later than midnight the student’s own time-zone, yet some instructors require assignments to be posted by midnight their time-zone. I cannot stress enough how important it is to read the syllabus carefully to make sure you understand completely what the instructor expects.
It is also important to keep in mind that although you don’t have to report to a real classroom every day, there are participation and attendance requirements. Online classes are not free of accountability. If you do not meet participation and attendance requirements at The University of Phoenix, you will have points deducted each week, which will have a large impact on the final grade. University of Phoenix has specific participation guidelines that are outlined in the syllabus, and these do not change from instructor to instructor or from class to class.
Keep track of participation and try to do as much as possible early in the week so that you are not trying desperately to get participation requirements in close to the end of the class week, which is Monday. My recommendation would be to post to the classroom more than the required days per day, so that if something comes up during the week that is unexpected and you can’t participate on a certain day or days, you’ve already met the requirements early on.
University of Phoenix encourages a team atmosphere, and each class will have the students divided in to learning teams. These teams will work together on joint assignments throughout the week and must depend on classroom postings as well as instant messenger to communicate with each other. Always participate in the learning team and classroom and don’t ever let fellow teammates feel as if you are not contributing equally. Communication online is challenging, and although you may have a legitimate reason for not logging in to the team classroom for three days, your teammates will not know this and will assume the worst. Communication is crucial in the online classroom environment.
These tips are all based on my experience taking online classes at The University of Phoenix. Although they may not specifically apply to other online school environments, the basic concepts of organization, communication, and reliability should be the same regardless of the school you attend. If you are interested in learning more about taking online classes at The University of Phoenix, go to www.universityofphoenix.com I have had very positive experiences with the administrative staff. They are always more than happy to answer any questions students or potential students may have.
As overwhelming as the online school environment can be in the beginning, once it’s mastered, it’s simple, efficient, convenient, and an excellent way for people who are not able to attend classes on campus to get a degree.
