Class registration recently opened and now is the time to plan out your schedule to determine what courses you need to take in the fall. Although most courses have turned back to in-person learning, some professors still offer an online version. Should you choose the online option? To help you decide, we have come up with a list of pros and cons of online courses. 

Synchronous or asynchronous?

There are two different types of online classes: synchronous and asynchronous. Synchronous means you have a scheduled meeting time where you will meet your instructor and classmates through online conferencing software such as Zoom. An asynchronous class generally does not require a specific meeting time and allows you to complete work on your own time given you meet deadlines. When looking up courses on BengalWeb (Academic Tools>Registration Tools>ISU Class Schedule), each course will list information like days, time, instructor and more. To find out if a class is synchronous or asynchronous, you must look at the time and location sections. If the location says web course and has a time, it is synchronous. If the time says “To Be Announced” or “TBA”, then it should be asynchronous unless a time is declared later. 

Pros

• More flexibility and convenience

With online classes, you can generally do your learning and homework on your time wherever you want. This is especially helpful if you have priorities like taking care of family or working at a  job. However this only works best if the class is asynchronous, since you still have a meeting time for synchronous classes. Doing class in the convenience of your own home or wherever you desire might be easier for those who do not live at or near campus or cannot travel there. 

• Go at your own pace

For some students, the classroom setting can be stressful. Sometimes the environment can be fast or slow-paced. Some professors might have the tendency to go too fast through their lectures, making it hard for students to take notes. On the other hand, some professors could be going too slow with explaining topics that you already fully understand. With online courses, it allows you to find your own pace. 

• Develop good time management skills 

Time management is especially important for students who do online courses. You are completely responsible for your own learning. Since you are doing it by yourself, you have to determine when to learn the material and do homework. A lot of students who opt in to doing online courses also have a lot of other things they are juggling like a full time job. 

Cons

• Easier to procrastinate

Since you are not in a classroom environment, it can be a struggle to stay focused. There are most likely to be more distractions than if you were in a classroom and you might begin to procrastinate. When it comes to school, you get in the mindset that you need to focus on learning new material. If you are doing online classes anywhere else, you may not have that same mindset. In addition to that, certain rooms can also impact focus. For example, you should never study in your bed because your brain associates your bed with sleep and you will be more likely to fall asleep. 

• No networking opportunities

Being in a classroom gives you the chance to network with classmates and your professors easier. Although you can network with people online, being face-to-face can be more valuable and allow you to connect better. A great part of college is meeting new people and making friends and this should not be something to miss out on. You might also miss out on events happening on campus if you are completely distance-based. At Idaho State, many events and activities are happening often and can enhance your college experience. 

• Can take longer to learn

Again, you are responsible for your own learning and understanding the material might be harder to do on your own. You are not getting hands-on learning and it can be harder to reach out to your professor, especially if you need help right away. Overall, you should expect to dedicate more time to learning with online classes rather than in person.

Online classes have many pros and cons; more than we have listed. It all depends on what you personally prefer and your circumstances. Online classes can be more flexible and convenient, allow you to go at your own pace and help you develop time management skills. On the other hand, they can make you procrastinate easier, not give you networking opportunities and can make the learning process longer. If you want to book an appointment with your advisor to create a class schedule, you can view the Advisor Directory here.