How do online courses work?

<p>I am unsure on how online courses work. The community college I am attending has Intro to Theatre online. Could someone explain how it works? Do you get on whenever you want? How many times does it require you to be on during one week? When school firsts starts when do you suppose to log into the class? Thanks for your time.</p>

<p>Online courses are actually pretty nice. </p>

<p>Usually what happens is that you'll be given a syllabus with assignments on it, and most likey you will have to post assignments on a general board that all of the class members belong to. I'm not sure if you'll take tests online or not, for my first online class I did mostly online but then I had to go on campus for two tests. You can be online whenever you want. You can do work whenever you want. You just have to have things in by the date that they are due. I'd be very surprised if the first time you met wasn't on campus. Most teachers want you to see their face at least once, and then they'll explain exactly how their class works, what you need to hand in, and all that good stuff. If you're unsure if your class meets on the first scheduled day, just email the professor and ask. Better safe than sorry :)
Most of the tests in online classes have time limits, say, 60 minutes. For the class I took I was lucky enough to have no time limit. It all depends on how your professor lays things out for you. </p>

<p>Good luck! And enjoy it. I actually really enjoy taking online classes.</p>

<p>Oh, one more thing: you HAVE to be motivated. If you're somebody who likes to procrastinate, online courses are probably not for you. Teachers REALLY won't hold your hand through this. It's all on you.</p>

<p>I am finishing up my entire BS degree online, because I am tired:)
Most online classes are 24/7. but some are 24/5.</p>

<p>Your tests may or may not be proctored depending on the course.
For example, where I am at, History is not proctored because the tests and quizzes are hard core writing intensive and you turn everything in through turnitindotcom, so you are automatically checked for cheating. But some classes have strict rules for proctoring and you have to follow them.</p>

<p>Also, if you do not stay on top of things, you will get behind like a right son of a gun if you are not careful. </p>

<p>You may or may not have any notes online depending on the course. If you do have any form of notes online, I really recommend making a notebook for the course and keeping the notes in good order by printing them out and keeping any book outlines or math problems and whatnot in there too. Some of the online classes are week by week and you can buy index tab dividers for every week in the semester and just keep things organised week by week. That saves you hecka time for mid term review and finals review.
It is a good idea to print out the syllabus and schedule of readings and whathaveyou and really make sure you understand it and are willing to work it.
Asides from printing some stuff, reading stuff really well at the start of classes, and keeping an organised datebook and notebook-it is really not hard at all. It is kind of nice to do some things by yourself, basically you are just working hard and being a bit more organised than most.</p>

<p>Thank you guys for your help! It is greatly appreciated.</p>