As we come close to the end of the spring semester and the start of the fall semester looms, the big question of whether it’s a good idea to take summer classes arises.
Whether it’s to get the easy Gen-Eds out of the way or to get an “A” in those impossible major classes, the question is: Is it better to learn online or take an in-person class?
I never really understood why people would want to take easy classes during the summer. To me, they were easy A classes that helped relieve the workload throughout the semester.
Then I took my first Gen-Ed art class, and let me tell you, for an easy attendance mandatory class, it took everything in me to be able to go and do the assignments.
Now I understand why someone would want to, but I still wonder if the quality of education is the same.
Since the pandemic, online learning has become a big part of everyday education. It has taken over snow days and online summer classes. The biggest advantage of online learning is that you can attend classes anytime and anywhere.
Online classes are very helpful when it comes to balancing other responsibilities. You are able to watch lectures and do assessments at your convenience.
Online learning helps learn important skills such as time management, independence and responsibility. No one is usually there to tell you to hand in assignments or to study for tests. It’s all on you. Â
Oftentimes, people just don’t have the time to make it to in-person classes, so online education is very important for those.
There are drawbacks to online education as well. Most of the time, you just look at a screen and complete all your work. You are often missing the interactive portion of education.
There are often two outcomes of online classes. Either you manage your time very well in class and get a good grade, or you lack the discipline for online class and end up not performing to the best of your ability.
Now the question of academic integrity is also questioned. In the new era of AI, it’s a breeze to cheat your way through a class. If it’s an easy Gen-Ed, some may say there’s no harm done. On the other hand, if it’s a beginner-level course that is built on throughout your college years, it could be very bad for you.
For example, what would be the benefit of taking chemistry online and passing through AI, but then having to take organic chemistry the following semester in person?
While there are very good benefits to online school and many people with a lot of responsibilities rely on it, there is also an unfortunate side to it.
Online learning is very efficient, but it solely depends on the type of class you plan on taking.
In the end, no one knows the most efficient way to learn other than yourself, so make the best choice and decide whether you should take the online class or not. However, always remember to enjoy your summer.