What are The Most Common Mistakes Made by Online Students?
February 07, 2019
How many students are enrolled in online courses in the United States?
The “Grade Increase Report”, released in 2018, by the Babson Survey Research Group states that more than 6.3 million students in the US (mostly undergraduates) were enrolled in at least one online course in 2016. This is a stark 5.6% increase from 2015. According to the report, public colleges and universities showed the maximum growth in online course enrollment figures.
Can international students pursue online degree programs in the US?
While F1 and M1 or J1 visa holders cannot pursue online degree programs, according to US Immigration laws, other visa categories, such as H4 and L2, allow visa holders to enroll in online courses.
What are the advantages of online degree programs in the USA?
According to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) report, the number of F1 and M1 international students increased by 2% in 2017. The US is a leading destination for international students due to the high quality of education it offers. For students who cannot afford the high tuition fees of regular college or have to face strict immigration laws, online courses could be the best way to gain access to these degrees.
What are the academic advantages of online courses?
Online courses offer some of the most enriching and memorable learning experiences, such as:
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Increased knowledge absorption and retention: By taking full advantage of interactive media tools, students can gain a deeper understanding of academic concepts. They can study and prepare at their own pace, rather than keeping up with a class of 30 students.
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Class discussions and forums: Most online courses have discussion forums, which allow students to interact and learn from each other. It also brings increased focus to course curriculum, and helps in faster grasping of concepts.
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Constructive feedback: Many online courses use superior communication tools, which allow one-on-one interaction with professors. This is a good way to gain constructive feedback and improve.
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Advantage for working professionals: Students who otherwise have part-time jobs and cannot attend classroom-based courses have unique opportunities to further their knowledge base. It is beneficial for career advancement too.
What are the most common mistakes made by online students?
Some common mistakes that should be avoided to make the online learning experience fruitful are:
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Ignoring accreditation of courses: Seek enrollment in a course recognized by federal agencies or the Council of Higher Education. Otherwise the degree will not be considered valid by companies and other academic institutions.
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Not following own learning style and pace: Forum discussions are good, but every student has their own individual style and pace of learning. What works for others might not work for you.
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Not ensuring availability of technology tools: This is on both ends. Students should have a laptop or desktop and internet connectivity, while the institution should provide virtual classroom facilities. Having video conference facilities to engage with teachers is a plus-point.
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Underestimating the difficulty levels: Contrary to popular belief, online courses are not easier than full-time campus classes.
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Not doing due-diligence on professors: Ask previous students on how good a professor is in teaching the subject. They should have prior experience, given that teaching in a classroom is different from online teaching.
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Not reviewing the curriculum: The curriculum should comprise skills that will be useful in the future.
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Isolation or not asking for help: Some courses are difficult, so never hesitate to ask for help. Try and interact with fellow classmates and get their perspectives too.
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Not meeting time deadlines: It is important to solve practice papers and appear for crucial exams on the scheduled time and date. Many students develop the tendency to lag behind, which makes it difficult for course completion.
