Picking the Right Online Class or Course

By Kaitlin Hurtado on December 24, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrust a majority of students into the world of online learning at one point. Whether it was to finish up a semester, a mix of hybrid learning, or you’re still stuck in remote instruction — students are more likely than ever to face online classes. Online courses aren’t just for current college students, either. Whether you want to learn something new for self-improvement or advance your career, online courses may be the perfect fit for you.

The pandemic has thrust online classes into the spotlight, and as it continues, you may find yourself ready to commit to taking an online class or two. Where to start? We’ve got you covered. Keep reading for tips on how to pick what program or course is right for you.

online class

Photo: Pexels

1. Figure out what you want

Before you start your search for the perfect online class, figure out what you’re looking for. This can be a certain skill set you want to acquire or knowledge you want to have under your belt. Your learning goal is something you should identify right away. Otherwise, you are aimlessly looking at every course possible and not tailoring your options to your wants and needs.

Think of how you would go about hunting for an apartment or house. You’re not going to be looking at every listing that comes your way, but you’re going to tailor your options by location, price, amenities, and so on. The same applies to how you will want to start your search for the right online class.

The Muse outlines two different types of learning you may be looking for — “just in case” learning and “just in time” learning. Just in case learning refers to a more traditional degree program taught in college where you get skills you can use in your career but also information you may never actually use while out on the job.

Just in case learning works best for those taking those tentative first few steps into a topic or career they’re still not sure about. Or, if they want to learn something that could be a great supplement to their previous education.

Just in time learning differs in that it is more focused than just in case learning — and targets teaching specific skills rather than broader knowledge students could use in their selected career path. Examples of just in time learning are coding boot camps, which many few as a fast way to step into a tech career.

If you know exactly what you are looking for and what you need from an online class, just in time learning can be perfect for you as it usually requires less time than just in case learning and you know exactly what skills you are coming out with at the end of the online class.

Not sure where to start? Consider asking yourself:

- Do you want to learn a brand new skill? Is it outside your current career, or will it help you excel in your current field?

- Are you looking for a one-time course or certification, or do you want to work towards a degree program?

- Do you want to learn more about a certain program, software, or process that would make you a more valuable asset in your career field?

2. Pick the right learning institution

There’s a seemingly endless amount of online classes to choose from. These classes are tied to different types of institutions, and each institution has something different to offer when it comes to the online classes they have, from cost to potential certifications.

Accredited colleges and universities offer online degrees and certifications, just like their in-person counterparts. If you choose to take an online class from an accredited college and university, you may be able to earn college credits and put yourself on a path to a degree. Unlike in-person courses that these colleges offer, their online counterparts will offer more flexibility or possibly even hybrid learning programs where students can take both online courses and select in-person instruction. For students looking for a more well-rounded, broad education, choosing an online course or degree program from an accredited college may be the right choice for them.

Specialized training institutions offer the flexibility of online courses, and often at a more affordable price. If you know what specific skills you want to learn, specialized training institutes may be a great fit for you.

There’s also vendor-specific courses, which offers training on a particular product, typically computer hardware or software, directly from the manufacturer or vendor of the product. As one would imagine, this training is often highly-specialized as it is tailor for a specific product rather than a general skill or process. If you know that certain software will be fundamental in your career, choose a vendor-specific course can be a great option.

3. Determine how much time/commitment you can give 

Maybe you are looking into online classes or an online degree because you have nothing but plenty of time on your hands, whether it be because you’re in between jobs or shuttered in at home due to the pandemic. Or, maybe you want to give a little bit more time to invest back into your career or educate even in your busy lifestyle. Either way, the level of commitment you are willing to put forth into an online class is going to be very important in what online class is right for you.

For example, you may be balancing a pretty set schedule already. You spend the bulk of your day at your day job, and the rest of your day is often spent catching up on taking care of family, taking time for yourself, and so on. While you do want to take an online course, you may not have an extensive amount of time to put aside to commit to the course. That being said, don’t let that hold you back from pursuing online studies. Instead, tailor your search by looking for an online class that offers a more flexible schedule.

While some classes might have a strict schedule of when class times are, such as those that are with a live video feed of instruction and mandatory participation from the students, others rely on more recorded content. These courses offer more flexibility, where you can opt to pick a class time that works for you and where you have the freedom to choose when to study.

However, choosing to learn solely from written instruction or recording instruction isn’t for everyone’s learning style and preferences, so it’s important to weigh out your options when it comes to how flexible you want your online class to be.

4. Seek out interactive learning 

Talk to any student who has faced remote learning in some capacity and they most likely will complain about how boring busywork, recorded lectures, and readings after readings are. The same can be said for any online class you are looking to take. The more boring you find the online class you pick, the more likely you are going to be disengaged from the material and feel discouraged from learning what you want to learn.

To prevent that, looking for an online class that promises learning that is not engaging or interactive. You definitely do not want to shell out money or commit to an online course only to read detailed PowerPoint after PowerPoint, when that experience offers nothing different than the experience you would have buying yourself a few books and attempt to teach yourself everything.

Not every course is designed the same, nor is every student the same way. What works for you may not work for another, and vice versa. Look for the level of interaction you know you will want in an online class. With whatever online class you choose, you won’t have the benefit of having your instructor right then and there, or classmates to turn and ask a quick question t, that in-person classes offer.

Online classes that give you a platform to get more access to the instructor or a platform to interact with fellow students can help you recreate the in-person experience you may be missing.

5. Determine your current skill level/sufficiency 

Have you ever taken those tests or assessments that help you determine what level of knowledge you hold for a certain subject? For school, these types of tests were common for assessing a student’s knowledge of a foreign language or math. Their results would ultimately determine what class they would be placed into, such as a beginner/intro-level class or advanced/expert class. For students who displayed little to no knowledge of a subject, they would be placed in a class that would give them the foundation they would need to progress further into the subject. For students who are more familiar with the subject, they can be placed in a more advanced learning class so they aren’t stuck at a slow pace or relearning knowledge they already know.

This same process can be applied to picking an online class that is right for you. Look inward to assess what your skill level is in the area/subject you plan on studying. Most of all, be honest with yourself. While you may want to overestimate your expertise level, you will only be hurting yourself when you sign up for an “advanced” online class only to find you don’t have the right foundation to excel in the class. On the other hand, you don’t want to doubt yourself and undermine your knowledge about a certain subject, then come to find yourself paying for an online class that is ultimately teaching you nothing that you don’t already know.

When it comes to determining the skill or sufficiency needed for any online course, do not rely solely on the titles of the course. What may be “advanced” to one institution, may be more intermediate for you. Something advertised as a “beginner’s course” could end up being a little too advanced for your skill level. Instead, read the course’s description for more information, from objectives to lesson plans, to see what kind of content you are getting into with any given class. If available, read through the course’s reviews of past students who may offer the best insight into the skill level needed to excel in the class.

6. Tap into your network 

While reading through an online course’s reviews from past students is a great way to get a feel of what an online class would be, you can never be certain about how genuine the words of online strangers are. If possible, tap into your network of college peers, friends, and colleagues when you are searching for the perfect online class.

Much like how you would typically share work opportunities you come across, discussing online courses or certifications with your network can open your eyes to potential online courses you can take. While you may not be in the same career field as your friends or college peers, you may be more familiar with each other’s interests and learning styles, so discussing online courses can still be helpful.

When it comes to picking an online course that would be helpful to your career, asking your colleagues can be extremely helpful for you. The courses they found most helpful for their career will most likely also be helpful to you. If you are active on LinkedIn, consider making a post to start a discussion on what online courses other users found more helpful. Everyone from your network has the option to chime in and share their experiences and it can be a great starting point for your search for the perfect online class for you.

online class

Photo: Pexels

Whatever prior experience you may have with online classes, these tips can help you make sure that your next attempt at online education is the right opportunity for you. Whether it be because you want to learn something new to the comfort of your own home or because you are set on improving your skillset for your desired career, it’s the perfect time to pick up an online class.

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