This is screenshot of the online college courses I am taking this semester at Clayton State University in order to complete my fully accredited, online Bachelor’s of Science in Information Technology. The blue tacks mean that a discussion is due. The yellow pages with the clock in front mean that an online quiz needs to be completed soon. The names of the instructors are purposely removed in order to protect their privacy. My favorite class is probably the Digital Media course, and Web Applications Development is so much tougher than I expected.

Books for these courses normally retail for around $100.00 each. Of course, I buy mine mostly at Amazon.com, and that saves me tons, but there are occasions where new books have to be purchased from the campus bookstore. Clayton State even has an online store where textbooks can be purchased. Even used, the books usually run me around $250 a semester.

For a typical week, each class typically has one assignment or online quiz and a discussion that you must participate in. There are generally two to three exams per semester, and the classes are slightly shorter than normal semesters. Exams are normally proctored at testing site or administered online through this portal. Online, open-book does not mean simple. Often exams and quizzes must be completed in a given time period and the material is often equally as difficult as a closed book exam. Homework and online quiz examples will be highlighted in future posts. Just keep in mind that online often means teaching yourself. I will show you tricks and method of learning online that simplify the process, but you are largely educating yourself with few opportunities for one-on-one sessions or questions in an online college environment and the initiative and ability to learn and do for yourself are a must for this type of education. Logging out…

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Taking 5 classes online is not simple. It takes a lot of discipline. This is usually my daily schedule, although I vary it. I do work from home for a website at the moment, and I work around 2-3 hours a day. I often stray from the schedule, but it takes this much effort at least 3-4 days a week.

As to the interface for my classes, it is easy to navigate, accessible from anywhere, and fun. My class members and I often hold conversations via live chat and discussion boards moderated by teachers. As an IT student, I learn hands-on. We don’t just read about Photoshop, we use it. This semester, I learned how to make my own server from home. The classes are educational and the teachers are professors and doctors from nearby universities who have elected to teach college online. I hope that this has been a decent introduction to the world of college online.

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• Is Googling Your Answers Cheating?   I routinely Google my answers to online college homework. Sometimes Google provides you with tutorials, hints, and even direct answers. The temptation is definitely there to recreate the answer as your own. Is this illegal? Some college guidelines say so. At Clayton State University, the guidelines are as......
• Online College Courses and What to Expect This is screenshot of the online college courses I am taking this semester at Clayton State University in order to complete my fully accredited, online Bachelor’s of Science in Information Technology. The blue tacks mean that a discussion is due. The yellow pages with the clock in front mean......

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