Student Testimony: Why Online Courses?

Students in online courses are a diverse group with varying schedules, work experiences, and technology skills. Some students new to online learning or to technology in general may experience many new things simultaneously:

Why do students take online courses? Students enrolled in online programs often mention quality, flexibility, and interactivity as the major benefits or positive aspects of online learning. Here are some comments from UW – Platteville and BSN-LINC online students:

Quality

“Don't make the mistake of thinking that an online program is going to be easier—a cake walk. On the contrary, although it is more convenient not having to drive to campus after a long day at work, it takes a lot of self discipline.”
UW-Platteville Masters in Criminal Justice Student

“I used critical thinking more with online classes than in a regular class setting because what I wrote was there for everyone to critique. My classmates were all professional nurses with varied backgrounds, and the information I contributed needed to be thought-provoking.”
BSN-LINC Student

“Being that I'm from Wisconsin , I knew the University (of Wisconsin ) System has a reputation for providing quality education…. The only time I visited the campus was for the graduation ceremony. It was strange to graduate from a campus I had never been to.”
BSN-LINC Student

"I have recommended (BSN-LINC) to two people. Two others in my hospital are going through it. It's challenging, and that's important to me. I wanted to get my money's worth. I thought it was a good program. I looked at some of the other online programs, and I didn't get the same feeling from them."
BSN-LINC Student

Flexibility

“I was a single parent of a five-year-old in a new job. It was a lot. I definitely needed the flexibility of this program. I might have six hours I could work on homework one night, and then not be able to do anything for two or three days.”
UW-Platteville Masters in Criminal Justice Student

“I was unsure about the online learning environment in the beginning. I'm a very social creature, and I like a lot of human contact. I wasn't sure how an online program would “feel” to me. What I discovered was that it fit perfectly with my lifestyle. I was staying home with my son, and I needed to be able to do the coursework when I could and not worry about babysitters and set schedules...More and more people like me are going back to school—people with families and full-time jobs and all the time commitments that go with that. Online programs make it more feasible to complete a degree for professional and personal reasons. It opens so many new doors.”
UW-Platteville Masters in Criminal Justice Student

“The BSN-LINC program was flexible enough to allow me to continue my full-time employment. It has been a challenging but very rewarding experience. My new knowledge has already been a benefit to me in my current work.”
BSN-LINC Student

“The flexibility really appealed to me because I had a full-time job. Not having to be in a classroom on a campus at a particular time was a real advantage.”
BSN-LINC Student

“If you are given the right tools, you can accomplish many things. If it wasn't for the UW-Green Bay online program, I would not have been able to achieve my BSN. I have a family and work full-time and was able to do my coursework around our schedules, which at times are quite hectic.”
BSN-LINC Student

“Because I work nights, an online program made it easy to do my homework. I didn't have to be up at a certain time to go to class. I would do my homework at 2 in the morning, which was good for me. The instructors were easy to get a hold of. I could send an email at 2 a.m. and get an answer the next day. There are deadlines, but they were very easy to make with my schedule.”
BSN-LINC Student

Interaction

“The amount of learning is certainly comparable with a campus program. It's just that this is so much more convenient for working people with families. This type of program fits better with the adult learning style, and is very well suited for people with the discipline to do it...The level of interaction with my classmates was more than I ever expected. I've become friends with some of them...You get as much—maybe even more—interaction with your classmates online than you do sitting in a classroom with 30 or 40 other people. That was the highlight of the experience.”
UW-Platteville Masters in Criminal Justice Student

“Interaction isn't the same in a traditional setting and often doesn't work. In a typical classroom you can sit back and not communicate with anyone. Online is just the opposite. You have to meet everyone and work with them on group projects; you learn where they are working. As a result you form strong relationships. It's a great networking tool.”
UW-Platteville Masters in Criminal Justice Student

“I found that there was a lot more interaction than I ever thought there would be. I developed a great rapport with the professor of that first class and with the other students. In fact three of us became very good friends and have visited each other. We started the program together and graduated together. It turned out be a fabulous experience.”
UW-Platteville Masters in Criminal Justice Student

“It was a great experience. I learned about people in all parts of the country. I ‘met' and interacted with nurses in many fields and various locations. I feel that we got to know each other better than if we were in an actual classroom.”
BSN-LINC Student

References

University of Wisconsin Extension – Learning Innovations (2002-05). [UW – Platteville and BSN-LINC online student interviews]. Unpublished raw data.