FSCC offers students increasingly popular online classes

A growing number of college students across the country, like Fort Scott Community College student and working mother Pam Draper, are not heading into the classroom much anymore lately.

The reason? The increasing popularity of Internet courses currently offered in a number of higher education institutions, where students of all ages can participate in college classes in the comfort of their own homes from their computers and only spend a minimal amount of time in an actual classroom.

Draper, a 46-year old FSCC student from Osawatomie, said she is currently enrolled in a variety of online classes, and that she may pursue an online degree, but she is still undecided. She will graduate with an associate of science degree in December, but because of her job, she will most likely not transfer to a four-year university because of the extensive commute, Draper said.

Draper said she takes online classes because of her day job, and because many of the classes she needs are not taught in the evening. She tried weekend classes, but that turned out to be more than she could handle, considering she also deals with family responsibilities and a full-time job.

"Night classes are hard when you work all day," she said. "It can be done, but it is hard on the family."

Currently, Draper said she is taking business, macroeconomics, sociology, and algebra courses online, and has also taken other online courses, including English, General Literature, History and even a course on computers. Draper said she started taking online classes last spring, starting with English, to see if she could handle the challenge of fitting all her instruction and study time at home into the rest of her daily life.

"I did do it, and it was very convenient," she said. "I could go to class at 6 a.m. or 6 p.m., or anytime in between. It was nice."

And then last fall, Draper began taking four online classes at once, a task that requires the student to be constantly focused and motivated. Online courses may not be for everyone, and some students may prefer to just attend class.

"It was a handful and a person has to be very disciplined," she said. "It is necessary to plan your time, and be sure to make deadlines. Online classes do allow you to be flexible with your schedule, but it is usually not a work at your own pace situation."

Many online instructors at FSCC allow students to work ahead, completing assignments or groups of assignments before they are tested. While this method is convenient for most people, it is not necessarily easier, Draper said.

"I don't really think online classes are easier to take," she said. "In fact, I feel like you really have to concentrate and study to get the material on your own."

Instructors are also usually willing to help out when they can, and typically respond in a fast manner to student questions and comments, Draper said.

Overall, Draper said online courses have made it more convenient for her to take college courses while working and being a full-time mom.

"I really am thankful for the chance it has given me to get the education I was not able to get before," she said.

FSCC currently offers an online speech course, that differs somewhat from a traditional speech course that requires students to present speeches on different topics during class time. The class dynamics and strategies of the online speech course are different than the classroom-based course, FSCC Dean of Instruction Mary Ann Leamon-Childers said.

Draper said she did not take the online speech course, but said her daughter took an online speech course where students had to video tape their speeches in front of an audience. Draper said she instead took a traditional speech course in a classroom with her college-bound son.

FSCC students can now also choose from about 30 online courses, most of which meet general education requirements. This semester, FSCC began offering a unique hybrid biology course, that allows students to complete the lecture portion of the course online, while completing laboratory work on the college campus. Students can also participate in class discussions and lectures online.

Students can also make use of the recently revamped FSCC Web site, which allows students to enroll in online courses and other traditional courses, check class schedules, check financial aid information, review transcripts, and pay tuition and other fees.

Draper said she sees higher education institutions moving more toward using the online course format as an alternative to the traditional classroom because of the convenience that online courses provide.

"Without the online option, I never would have attempted the 'back to school' routine'" she said. "The online schedule is perfect for working people, young moms, or anyone in between. It just offers such flexibility -- I can see it growing even more popular than it is now, with more classes being added on a regular basis."