{"id":2133,"date":"2022-09-28T08:30:50","date_gmt":"2022-09-28T15:30:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/?p=2133"},"modified":"2024-07-24T11:21:46","modified_gmt":"2024-07-24T18:21:46","slug":"online-classes-basics-for-beginners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/online-classes-basics-for-beginners\/","title":{"rendered":"Online classes: The basics for beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"The<\/p>\n

What is it like to take online classes? An Oregon State Ecampus alum shares firsthand insights<\/h2>\n

When I first started thinking about going to school online, I was completely clueless as to what I should expect. Of course, I knew what the internet was and the basics of how to use a computer, but I felt pretty intimidated about online classes because I honestly had no idea how earning a degree from a distance worked.<\/p>\n

My daughter had been out of school for years, and I had been out of the workforce for a long time, too, so I hadn\u2019t been exposed to anything that came close to online classes. Even if I was anxious and a little embarrassed about my lack of online skills, I was determined to finish my degree.<\/p>\n

The basics of online learning<\/span><\/h3>\n

So I drank a lot of coffee, hid out in my bedroom, and started looking online for the best schools. I think I even googled \u201cOnline classes for Dummies.\u201d I\u2019m sure this is really obvious to most people, but here are the essentials of online learning that I wish someone would have told me:<\/p>\n

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  1. Online classes are different than in-person classes because they take place on your computer, wherever it works best for you. You don\u2019t need to be in a physical classroom, and this makes it ideal for anyone who needs flexibility in their education.<\/li>\n
  2. People who work, have family obligations, disabilities, travel barriers, or simply prefer the convenience of online education flexibility<\/a>, enroll in online classes. Oregon State University Ecampus also delivers some hybrid courses and programs, which blend in-person and online coursework.<\/li>\n
  3. The structure of online education varies by institution, but online classes generally follow a traditional class format. If you\u2019ve ever gone to school, you\u2019ll feel comfortable with an online class structure<\/a>. The main difference in online classes is that your work is done through an online platform. Oregon State Ecampus uses Canvas.<\/li>\n
  4. Canvas is an online learning management system many schools use to host all your classes. Each class will have its own course site on Canvas where you\u2019ll find the syllabus, weekly assignments, a place for group discussions, etc. Canvas is an intuitive platform and easy to navigate.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Here\u2019s what\u2019s so great about Oregon State Ecampus:<\/strong> You can try out their online classes! I learned so much on the Canvas course demo<\/a>, most importantly that online classes aren\u2019t as scary as I thought. I felt confident I would be able to navigate Canvas easily, and I was excited about getting started.<\/p>\n

    How should I study for online classes?<\/h3>\n

    If you\u2019re anything like me, you might have been out of school for a while. Getting back into the swing of things can be challenging, but here are my best tips for online learning:<\/p>\n