My online classes are a convenience for me. They allow me to take additional classes that would not have fit into my schedule otherwise. I am not a traditional student, so I have non-traditional needs. Internet classes allow me to remain at home with my family. Taking Internet classes has many advantages for a non-traditional, and traditional student, such as: saving money, saving time, and most of all the convenience. Internet classes are the answer for many students with non-traditional needs. However, the only downfall to my Internet class was a computer virus, which was disastrous. I lost everything on my computer, but as for the important files I had backup on floppies. I was lucky, my sister-in-law came within a few days and fixed my computer, so I did not get too far behind. This situation should be considered when taking an Internet class.
In my experience with Internet classes, the good far outweigh the bad. Taking Internet classes has saved me money. If I were taking traditional classes, I would be spending about twenty dollars a week in gas alone, not to mention the wear and tear on my car. The only expense that I incur with Internet classes is my server charge, which is about twenty-five dollars a month. That means by taking Internet classes I am saving over eighty dollars a month, and that does not include wear and tear on my car. I could finance a new computer with the savings from taking online classes.
Also, Internet classes save time, and saving time is important to me. The travel time alone is time enough for me to complete my assignments. It would take me forty-five minutes to travel to Hammond from Mandeville, and that is only one way. The extra hour and a half makes a big difference when I am a wife, a mother of three children, a full time student, and I work part time. For example, if I spend one hour a day working on my assignments, that means that I still have an extra half hour of free time each day; time that I would normally have to spend commuting to and from school.
Furthermore, I have learned just as much online as I would have in a traditional class. I do not have the interactions with the instructor and the classmates, but I can email my instructor or my classmates at anytime. Internet classes have the discussion board where my classmates and I can exchange comments and ideas about our papers online. I do not feel as though I am missing out on anything by taking online classes. Actually, I am gaining much more that I am losing. For example, I involve my family in my Internet assignments, and I get ideas from them on assignments. I make a list like a survey, and question everyone on his or her ideas. This is a lot of fun, and it gives me ideas for my assignments. This is a learning experience for my whole family. And also, I am spending time with my family; which is difficult for a non-traditional student.
Finally, online classes fit my lifestyle, because I am not a traditional student. If given a choice I would take all of my classes through the Internet. Online classes have saved me money and time. Also, online classes allow me to work, to be a wife and mother, and it allows me to be a full time student. The only drawback for me was when my computer crashed. Other than that my experience with online classes has been a rewarding, learning experience.
