Same course taken in person vs online?

College Life
1

Hi guys,

How would you guys feel if you and your friend took the same class together, but your friend took the online version of the course. Like my mom said, “online courses are for people who are adults and don’t have time to be on campus because of having kids or etc.” This semester I took a class called Organizational Behavior (OB). It was a 200 level course and because I was a general studies major I was required to take TWO 200 level courses to complete my progression of degree to obtain my degree. I decided to take this class because I was in between criminology and OB. At the last minute I chose OB as one my two level courses I would take for spring 2017 semester. First day of class session I noticed one of my friends was takeing the same class as me. I was happy and excited because i could finally have a study buddy and study together for tests and such. The class was very interesting because you get to learn that every organization has a different culture. After the clsss session was done, I asked my friend how he liked the class and he said, “I liked the teacher but I would rather take it online.” That’s pretty much what he said.

Fast forwarding, professor announced our first test for the semester. It was on the first three chapters 25 multiple choice and 25 true and false questions. I prepared and study all day. When I took the test, I felt like I did well. The questions were straight forward from the PowerPoint and reading from the textbook. Sadly, I didn’t do well. I got a 58. I was mad, but then I moved on and wait until another test was about to get announced. The second test came and this time I did a study guide for both chapters that we were going to get tested. the study guide consisted of the materials I read in the textbook and included the vocabulary. Vocabulary was big because about 14 questions was on the test. When I received my test I got lower grade. Not sure why, but I guess it was because the making of the study guide was very time consuming. It takes me days to finish a study guide for a chapter. So I talked with my friend who switch to the online version of the course and I asked him, “how are the tests going?” He replied “we haven’t gotten a test yet” and I was shocked. Why does the online version of the course doesn’t have a test, but in person we do?

To make this a short, the class took five tests and still the online class hasn’t gotten tested yet. I don’t know why, but I feel like this is very unfair. Why did the professor design the class like this? My worst test was test 3. The last two tests I got a passing grade above 70. I got a C as a final grade, whearas my friend got an easy A. All he had to do was do an assignment and case studies. My case studies and assignments were all good, got three 8/10 and the rest were 10/10. We had about 14 chapters in total.

So my question is: do you think it was unfair for me receiving a C in class with exams taking and doing everything such as the homework, whereas my friend got the easy A?

2

Fair*

3

This is a concern that you should address with the department at your college. If there are significant differences in the results for students who are enrolled in different sections of the course that are taught online, live, or simply by different instructors, the department needs to know - especially if the course is a pre-requisite for other classes.

4

Hey NASA2014, Although I do not think it is fair your friend did not any any test what so ever, I like to ask if there is a reason why your academically challenged in multiple classes. I have read a lot of your threads and noticed you haven’t found your niche yet in college. Is there a reason preventing you from doing well in school. No disrespect, I am curious to learn more about people of different backgrounds.

5

OK - basic rule of picking college classes…research, research, research.

There are always some classes/profs to avoid if at all possible. You need to find that out before you end up in those classes. Some classes are known to be fine taking on-line, others don’t cover the material as well and don’t prepare you for future classes in the subject. And some are known to be hugely difficult in a condensed summer school format. It’s obviously difficult to get this intel as a 1st semester freshman but the further into school you get, the more sources of information you should be able to develop on this. Talking to people about their classes, finding websites that rate classes and profs, and seeing actual published numbers of grade distributions at the class/professor level of detail all add up to a picture of what you might be getting into.

That said, I agree with those who recommend talking to someone in the department at school. If you’re not comfortable doing that, start with your academic advisor to get their opinion on this and help in identifying who to bring the issue to.

Also, I don’t agree with your mom’s assessment of who takes on-line classes. My son has taken them while a full time student and some classes at his school are only offered on-line. A couple times it’s worked better to take them due to his class schedule (especially when you’re trying to schedule around multiple classes with labs)

Good luck!