What is online learning like?
There are different models for online learning, and you’ll want to think about what type of experience is best suited for your learning style. Do you prefer a set time with other students? Or classes you can pop into on your timeline? Think about what structure is most motivating and supportive for you.
For a more traditional class model explore synchronous classes which are taught live at a set time. In these “live” virtual classes, students can ask questions and participate via video or text, just like in a physical classroom.
However, the bulk of online classes are asynchronous, featuring a mix of recorded lectures, discussion forums, and online quizzes and exams. Asynchronous classes can have hundreds or thousands of students and are also known as massive open online courses (MOOCs).
Emanuela Manea, a London-based consultant in general pediatrics has taken two classes through Coursera to build new skills and expand her practice towards academic research. Both were asynchronous, which she preferred the flexibility of. “You enroll in a course at a convenient time for you; every week there are few lectures up to 20-minutes long in a video format with attached links to further reading material and a test. It takes 4-10 hours per week to complete.”