Online Courses Can be Answer for Students
Battling Time Constraints, Schedule Conflicts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/26/2004
CONTACT: JLISA GARRETT, 646-1506
(By Lisa Garrett)
PENDLETON ---This past summer one out of every four students took
one or more online courses, a new record for any semester at Tri-County.
 Online
courses can be the answer for students battling time constraints and
schedule conflicts that can often hinder completing their degree.
For Dean Jones, a single father and deputy who works rotating shifts
at the Pickens County Sheriff's Office, it's been the only feasible
way of earning an associate degree in Criminal Justice.
Jones, who is four classes shy of his degree, has taken most of his
coursework online. He says his work schedule and parental obligations
prohibited him from going the traditional classroom route. "It
would have taken me four or five years of taking classes part time.
I've completed all of my classes online, with the exception of two or
three that weren't offered in that format," said Jones who has
maintained a 4.0 GPR.
The best feature of online classes is the flexibility of time, he
said. "I can set my own schedule. It's just a lot easier for me.
Most important, it gives me more time with my kids."
For Jones and others, another advantage of online classes is cutting
down on or eliminating the drive time to campus. "Many times the
only thing holding the student back is the time the classes are offered,"
said Martha Addis, who chairs the Business and Human Services Division.
"At times, on-campus classes don't fit into the students' schedules.
By taking an online course, they can spend more time with their family,
continue to pursue their education and it won't take as long to get
the degree."
But online classes are not for everyone, said Jones. "You have
to be self motivated and disciplined," he said. Jones added that
although you don't meet your classmates and teacher personally in an
online format, there is constant communication via e-mail.
"It's not an easy way out," said Jones, who can spend as
much as four hours nightly preparing for assignments and tests. In fact,
it's "overwhelming at times," he said, "but the payoff
for my family and career is worth it."
FACTS ABOUT ONLINE CLASSES
Entire programs that will be completely online in the near future: Criminal
Justice Technology, Textile Management Technology, and Management. Many
Arts and Sciences courses are online to help students to complete general
education requirements and electives.
Reports indicate that 669 students enrolled in 41 sections of 27 courses.
This summer's course offerings are slightly fewer than the summer of
2003 yet the number of enrollments has increased 31 percent over the
same term last year. This is a strong testament to student demand for
the flexibility that online courses offer.
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