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+--- Thread: TESC online courses workload question (/Thread-TESC-online-courses-workload-question)
TESC online courses workload question - mypride49 - 06-22-2009
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
TESC online courses workload question - cookderosa - 06-22-2009
mypride49 Wrote: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.
TESC online courses workload question - perrik - 06-22-2009
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.
TESC online courses workload question - B Smith - 06-23-2009
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.
TESC online courses workload question - brothermike - 06-23-2009
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.
TESC online courses workload question - jacanyardie - 06-23-2009
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.
TESC online courses workload question - B Smith - 06-24-2009
Start with two classes and go from there. If you have the time add a few exams.
TESC online courses workload question - jeffd - 06-25-2009
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
TESC online courses workload question - B Smith - 06-25-2009
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!