Orientation - Part I

The Distance Ed Option: Is this class for me?

Theatre 101 -- Introduction to Theatre Arts surveys the dramatic arts of stage and screen. It is offered in two versions each semester: a regular course that meets on campus and an online version. The two versions are, in essence, the same course. Only the manner in which you take the course is different. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Which is for you?

The Traditional Course

Intro to Theatre is offered at several times and days each semester. Most students are familiar with the traditional format and find it gives them the structure they need to succeed.

• You know when you need to attend class.
• You have face-to-face contact with the instructor.
• You can work with other students.
• You ask questions of the instructor and you get answers right away.
• If the instructor is sick, you get the day off.

But there are disadvantages, too.

• For some the time period the class is offered is inconvenient.
• For others the drag of having to come to class twice a week, fighting traffic and looking for a parking space along the way, is too much.

For most students, the traditional course is the best method. But for those who have the self-discipline and requisite computer skills the online version offers some tempting advantages.

The Online Course

The advantages are:

• The online version gives you more freedom.
• You don't have to sit in class at a specific time.
• You can complete assignments any time of day you want.
• Scheduling classes is more convenient.
• You might be able to take the class from work, from home, or out of town.

But there are some disadvantages to the online course. The biggest one is that you are used to school giving you a lot of structure and now you have to provide the structure, to a certain degree, yourself. You should be aware that the dropout rate for all online courses is very high. This takes place because:

• Students mistake online courses as being easy;
• They think that the course is self-paced--it is not, assignments are due on specific dates;
• Often they have the best of intentions, but misjudge their ability to get started and develop their own structure for the course.
• Their computer, e-mail, and internet skills are insufficient;
• It's easier to blow off an online class session than a traditional one because it seems no one will miss you--there is no empty chair;
• Student never gets started with the class because they are waiting for someone to contact them and tell them what to do.

Work Load

As with the traditional class, you'll be expected to "attend the online class" a minimum of twice a week and complete assignments two to three times a week. You'll be doing the same kinds of assignments as the traditional class.

A fair assessment of your workload for this class each week (18-week semester) is as follows:

1 to 1.5 hours a week reading from the textbook
1 to 2 hours a week reading online lectures
1.5 to 2 hours a week surfing the web and completing homework assignments
2 to 3 hours once every six weeks watching movies and plays
1 to 1.5 hours once every six weeks or so taking tests online

Some of this workload, such as the lectures, and test taking, is built into the class time in the traditional course. The shorter the term the more hours per week you must plan to put in. For 9- or 6-week sessions, these numbers may double or triple!

Skills You Must Have

1. Using the basic functions of a PC or Macintosh computer;
2. Use of e-mail, including sending, receiving, saving, forwarding, and attaching documents;
3. How to create a document using Microsoft Word or AppleWorks;
4. How to access the internet, use a web browser to locate websites, and do internet searches.

Tips on How to Succeed

If you choose the online version of the course here are some tips to help you succeed:

1. Do the first assignment right away. Don't put it off. Turn in all assignments when they are due.

2. Forget the school's e-mail system. Until the college updates the system it currently offers students, you'll find it cumbersome.

3. Even if you have your own e-mail address already, subscribe to a free e-mail account such as yahoo, hotmail, or gmail and have the mail sent to it automatically forwarded to your other account. That way, should your regular e-mail service be interrupted you can fall back on the free account from virtually any internet connection.

4. Get the book immediately. Don't put it off. Almost every student who has put off getting the book--even one week--has fallen behind and has trouble catching up.

5. Treat the course as a real course, because it is. Plan a time for each day you are going to work on the course. It can be at three in the morning while you sit in front of your computer in your pajamas if you want, but schedule specific times. If you were taking the course in a traditional manner you'd be sitting in the classroom three hours a week and then having to put in additional hours for homework. Expect no less from the online class.

6. If your computer crashes or your e-mail service goes down, contact me at my school phone IMMEDIATELY. Don't put it off for a few days or a week

7. Turn assignments in on time. Most students who get poor grades get them because too many assignments were late.

 

Taking the course online can be an exciting way to take a class, if you've got the discipline. Choose wisely. 

If I haven't scared you away at this point, click here for Part II of this orientation--information about how to get started.