Study Guide
Advice from Former Students
I occasionally ask students at the end of one semester to say what advice they would give to students in future semesters. I also ask them to say what the workload in this class is like. Herewith are sample answers, unedited. I chose based on the clarity of the advice, not on whether they flattered the course or not.
Workload
More work than a regular class. I spent more time reading the textbook. In live course work I skim the reading material as the instructor ususally lectures on what is important.
It is hard to determine whether the amount of work load is the same, more or less than a regular class. Since we don't sit in a classroom together for three hours a week, then that would mean that we shouldn't start calculating the time spent on the class until we subtract the three hours a week!! But it seems like I spent ALOT of time on this class, compared to the other ones on campus - but then like I said, we didn't sit in a classroom either.....hard to say.
I think you do more reading with an Internet course which I feel I learned more than I have in any of my other classes cause I was forced to sit down and really read the material, rather than just skim over what the teacher had already talked about. I think some of the work is pretty similar except for the reading.
I think it is equal. Because we are required to participate in group discussion via the net and read all of the materials given, plus our papers. I don't think it was too much, but equal to a live class. I do, however, think I almost learn better in this type of set up. You are encouraged to ask questions and that helps when learning a subject.
I have not been back to school until now but I feel the the workload was a good amount. Not too much, not too little.
Advice
Check the discussion board every couple of days. It's rather discouraging to go in on the weekend and find you have over 50 new messages. It takes a lot of time to read them and you miss out on being in the discussions.
Definitely keep up with the reading. Don't let too much time pass before you pick up the book, or you will never get caught up. And also check the message board as often as possible, it is overwhelming to log on to 40 messages or more!!
Be sure to keep up on the posted messages. I would have to say that if you check it about 3 times a week and keep up on the reading you will be fine. It's more a matter of sitting down and really doing the work. As long as you read you will be fine.
I tell future students to ask questions. Dr. Knox is very approachable. That was my impression anyway. Make sure to participate with the class and stick with your reading. When you have a question, make sure to ask. Dr. Knox never made me feel silly when answering my questions. I learned so much by asking.
My advice would be..READ READ READ!!!! It is vital to succeeding in the course and your knowledge is tested everyday in your web board posts.