TESC online courses workload question

[mypride49]

Hi all,

I am new to this forum. I've enrolled for 3 online classes starting July, but I am not sure what is the workload for each class. For any of you who have ever attended or currently attending TESC can you give me some idea? I am not sure I can really handle 3 online classes at once. I am also working 20 hours a week plus some house work.

Regards,
Andrew

[cookderosa]

Hi all,

I am new to this forum. I've enrolled for 3 online classes starting July, but I am not sure what is the workload for each class. For any of you who have ever attended or currently attending TESC can you give me some idea? I am not sure I can really handle 3 online classes at once. I am also working 20 hours a week plus some house work.

Regards,
Andrew

>>

You'll be able to go in and look at each syllabus ahead of time. Of the courses I took, some were different, but most required:
6 original forum posts + answers to 2 classmate's posts
6 homework assignments
1 midterm exam
1 final exam

I had one class that had a papers due in place of exams, another required self-paced quizzes instead of the midterm. You'll have reading too, but after the first or second week you'll be able to judge the roll the reading plays in the class. I had a few classes where the reading was central- others we never even cracked a book. Honestly, as long as you set time aside to do the assignments, you shouldn't have any trouble passing. I completed 100% of my school time on Wednesday nights while the kids were at karate for 2 hours plus as long as necessary on Saturdays. Obviously higher grades require more effort, but I took 4 classes plus multiple CLEP exams each semester in addition to my 20 hr/week teaching job and my 40 hr/week homeschool teaching job.

[perrik]

The rule of thumb I've seen is:

The hours per week required for a course equals 40 times the number of credits, divided by the course length in weeks.

For a standard 3-credit course taken over a standard 15-week semester, that's 40 hours * 3 credits = 120 hours divided by 15 weeks = 8 hours of work per week.

By that rule of thumb, expect to require 24 weekly hours to coursework if you're taking three 3-credit courses.

[B Smith]

In my experience online courses take as long (or sometimes longer) than their b&m counterpart. The rule of thumb I've used is 4-5 hours per week per credit. This varies depending on:

• How quickly you read and absorb info.
  
• Your professor's need to bury you in busy work.
  
• The difficulty of the course itself. Quantum Physics is harder and more intensive than Basket Weaving.
  
• How much the course depends on actual work vs. reading. For example, a programming class will require a lot of time programming.
  

Plan on the worse case scenario for your first semester. Use your actual experience to fine tune it from there.

[brothermike]

If no children in the picture you should not have an issue with this load. That being said this is probably the max.

My one TESC class has been reading intensive, 6 forum discussion posts, 6 written assignments, one midterm and one final.

[jacanyardie]

I want to piggy-back on this one......I am about to start TESC and want to do distant or e-pack....any suggestions


ps. I tried online a few years ago and had to take a leaf of absence.

[B Smith]

Start with two classes and go from there. If you have the time add a few exams.

[jeffd]

I agree with B Smith. Try 2 courses out and see how you feel about the workload.

I'm taking a mix of guided study and online courses at TESC now. I have a full time load (12 credits - 4 courses). I also work full time and just brought home a new baby. It takes some serious time management to read all the material, but I try to stay positive and not waste any time through out the day.

I usually spend about 1-2 hours a night, after work, on my assignments. I try to get my reading in during chunks of free time (lunchtime, early morning).

-Jeff

[B Smith]

This is always one of the most difficult questions to answer. Why? Because so much depends on the student. I can throw out a bunch of thumb rules, but that is all they are. They don't take into consideration:

• How smart are you? It sounds harsh but college is harder for some people than others.
  
• How good are you at the topic? If you are good at the topic you will find the class easier.
  
• Do you enjoy the topic? I find math to be fun, so I have no problem studying. Intermediate accounting made it clear to me that I hate accounting. Guess what, that was one of the hardest classes to study for.
  
• How good are your study skills? If you are a good student it is quicker and easier.
  
• What level is the class? Most introductory classes are pretty quick and easy. UL classes tend to take more time.
  
• Will the class have labs, research assignments, projects, etc? A basic history class just takes some reading and a bit of homework. A programming class also usually has an intensive project on top of the reading/homework.
  
• How is the professor? Some just care that you know the material at exam time. Others feel it is their duty to fill your life with busy work!
  
• ETC: these are just some of the things that go into answering the question.
  

That's why I usually recommend planning on 4-5 hours per week per credit. Start conservative and adjust based on your ability. Also, be aware that there may be semesters that are rough. One semester I took calculus and industrial electronics. I met the prerequisites, but had not taken them for almost a decade. In addition to the course load of two challenging classes I had to also relearn college algebra, trig, ac/dc circuit theory, electronics I, and electronics II. That was a rough semester!