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Learning OnlineA Comparison

Going to Class

In a traditional class you meet at a specific time and place each week.

Going to Class

In an online class, you access your course multiple times during the week according to your schedule.

Participating in Discussions

In a traditional class you have class discussions and, sometimes, small-

group discussions. These discussions happen during the class

time and feedback is immediate.

Participating in Discussions

In an online class, you have discussions in a written format (i.e. like

Facebook comments or email exchanges) either as a class or in small-groups. These discussions

happen over a period of time (usually a week) and feedback is not immediate.

Learning in Class

In a traditional class your professor may lecture for a portion of the class and then have you participate in various activities (i.e. group projects, research activities, quizzes, tests, labs, demonstrations);

sometimes you are a passive learner and sometimes you are an active learner.

Learning in Class

In an online class your professor may ask you to read articles, watch short videos, and then have you participate in various

activities (i.e. online discussions, web-site tours, quizzes, tests); like a traditional course, sometimes you are a passive

learner and sometimes you are an active learner.

Reading your Textbook

In a traditional class your professor requires the purchase of one or more

textbooks and assigns readings throughout the duration of the course.

Reading your Textbook

In an online class readings from a textbooks are like the traditional class but the textbook could be accessed through the course as an electronic

textbook, or, you may have to purchase the textbook and have it shipped to you.

Submitting Assignments

In a traditional class your professor gives you assignments to complete (i.e.

research papers, reports, journal entries) and then you submit them in class when

they are due.

Submitting Assignments

In an online class your professor gives you assignments to complete (i.e.

papers, reports, journal entries) and then you submit them online as either file

attachments, copy/pasted text, or via a specific tool in the course.

Taking Tests and Quizzes

In a traditional class you take tests and quizzes during class time; these assessments

are sometimes open-book or sometimes closed-book and can have many types of questions (i.e. multiple-choice, true/false,

matching, essay, short answer). After taking the assessment, your professor evaluates

them and returns them at a later date.

Taking Tests and Quizzes

In an online class you take tests and quizzes via a specific and these assessments are usually open for

only a short period of time, and they may also be timed, so once you start taking them you may only

have one or two hours to complete them. After taking the assessment, you may receive a score

immediately (i.e. if the assessment contained just multiple-choice and true/false questions) or your professor may need time to evaluate any written

responses to questions.