As the Internet continues to grow, so do unique opportunities for advancement. While many have found the value it adds to self-employment, many are finding it to be an appropriate medium through which they can earn an education to progress in life. With the lack of a teacher in the classroom providing lecture, it is often necessary for students to delve in and read material for themselves, and there are different ways in which this can be assigned.
Textbook May Be Required
There is a common misconception that all reading will take place on the Internet. It must be remembered, though, that there is still a human instructor who oversees the activity of the class, and it is up to that person to decide where the reading will come from. Therefore, they still may assign reading from a hard copy of the textbook, so those preparing to take online courses should allow room in their budget to purchase these materials.
It is also not uncommon for instructors to assign reading material from online books according to the Open Education Database. These may not be physical books, but they, too, cost money.
Online Articles From Trusted Sources
Another common type of reading assignment encountered by the online student is online material from trusted sources. The Internet has millions of articles on various subjects; however, not all of it is reliable. It is up to the instructor to find what material is relevent to the course material, and they will supply students with appropriate links.
Written Lecture
More motivated instructors may choose to interact more with students, and they may provide notes or lectures online that they have personally prepared. These are normally made available on the online platform used for correspondence. It is very important to read the instructor’s syllabus on the first day of class to properly understand the instructor’s expectation throughout the course of the semester.
Learning Content Management System
Instructors are also utilizing a software program known as learning content management system in order to correspond with students. The software provides a way for the instructor to author material for the class. It is accessible to anyone with Internet access, making for a convenient way to provide reading assignments for the entire class. An added convenience for the instructor is that the site can host the content itself if the instructor does not have time to host it. The material is then assigned, and it can be saved for future classes to utilize.
Changing the Way We Learn
Online classes are a great way for busy individuals to receive higher education without demanding too much out of their daily schedule. Individuals who choose this relatively new route must be self-motivated and eager to achieve as they are responsible for making time to complete the various reading assignments they must tackle. It is up to the instructor what type of reading style they wish to present for their students. With the proper understanding of how the various reading responsibilities work, it is easier to achieve online education success.