Week 3 Blog: Myths and Online Learning

Online learning myths in my mind are just that. I generally try not too no put much faith in myths unless the source is a close friend. In the reading and while thinking about the myths that were covered I do think that online coursework is not easier than in the classroom. The reason is there are a lot more opportunities to allow yourself to get behind. You have to keep yourself accountable to getting assignments completed on time. On the opposite side, I do believe there to be a little truth to the myth that online courses are easier. In my search for a university to attend online I looked into the University of Phoenix. The courses they offer generally have no tests associated with them and most assignments were simply reading a lecture and responding with the student's opinion. Judging by the fact that their degrees are also not always held in high regard also could be a possibility from employers that I have talked to. Whether this remains the case now I am not certain of. But I am sure that it is situations like this that help foster these types of myths.

The other myth that you have to be computer geek in order to take online courses is in my eyes completely false. I have attended online coursework at two universities and both had very similar setups. In both situations, students were offered 24 hour technical support and their sites were very easy to understand and use. Instructors placed emphasis on students interacting with one another and fostering a learning environment. As I have seen stated many times before, if you can check your bank account online or shop online, then you are knowledgable enough to take a online course.

Beyond the myths, I think the greatest asset to this style of learning is that you are more open in what type of learning students are able to receive. It teaches one to improve upon their computer skills and become more comfortable with our reliance on technology. In my case, I have found myself more open to communicating online with others. I frequent sites like facebook and twitter with ease and find myself comfortable while doing it. Because of that familiarity, my interaction with my classmates feels more natural.