To be honest, I do not feel that my writing has improved. I do not feel that I really gained anything from taking an online class. I honestly believe that a face to face class would have been more fruitful in regards to improving my writing, because in class the professor will usually show you examples and techniques, and usually I take notes in class either out of boredom to keep my brain active or if I find the lecture truly crucial. However in an online class, I just slide through, honestly.
Initially I took this course for two reasons, the first was that I actually needed an English 103 class which I discovered last semester, and the second reason was that this was the only English 103 class that was available when I was registering. I honestly thought: "Hmm, well it is only an online class and I need an English 103 class in order to transfer so it can't be that bad." Well I was wrong, I had trouble keeping up in this online class and I discovered that I really do function better in a face to face class in oppose to an online class.
Maybe if I only had just this class during a semester I would have surely applied myself a lot more, however that is not the case for I had taken this class as a full-time student, which was actually written in the advice document under the don'ts of this class. Also I am someone who is only driven by motivation and/or an absolute reason, and if neither one is present I will not put all my effort into it. The reason why is that I detest writing essays, hell I detest school period, I am actually in an English 103 class because of the transfer requirements screwed me over and made my road to transferring even more tedious than it already was.
I am also someone who does not like to listen to other people unless I feel what they have to say is worth my time and catches my interest. But if neither one of the latter is met then I will just tune out or focus on something else that is more immediate and holding more importance in my life. In other words, my other classes being the immediate for they were face to face classes, and my personal matters as the important. I am sure that this class has helped at least one or two students improve, however I am one of the students that got nothing out of this class.
As I said in the beginning in the blog, my writing has not improved, honestly. I had other classes and personal matters going on throughout the semester and their priorities went over this online class, I wish I could have either had only this class to worry about this semester so I could focus on just this class or that I had a face to face class to improve my writing in person. But that is not what happened.
Linden, I applaud your honesty, hard to take and swallow because I was one of your group members? Not really hard at all. Offended not in the least, better to know what someone else thinks then to have to be misguided by the disguise that they wear when communicating face to face. Though I wonder why I am I writing because what I say does not even matter and maybe it is not relevant. Perhaps just to fill this week’s requirement and in part your blog caught my eye.
ReplyDeleteI end up in the same predicament, last minute revisions to course work transfers for a University, required English 103. Absolutely detest having to write essays, especially on BullShit, what the heck was that?? If I was a drinker I would spend my nights slamming highballs of 151 and enrage enough to write passionately, why BullShit is and where it comes from blahblah...
Unfortunately this was the last class available and although economically it helped save money at the pump and my little old car the commute. I would have liked to have the opportunity of a face to face instruction. It would have kept me on track especially I feel that this semester has been a struggle and fight to keep a job, house and pay for college. I am freaking worn out though fearful that I am not going to pass, crap!
In the end I took some knowledge with me on this journey learned more about others than I wanted to and finally grateful for the experience or least I will reflect back on it later next weekend’s Friends & Family Campout at the Kern. So thanks for sharing with me this semester and even though you did not get anything in return, I hope you pass.
I found your blog very interesting to read. It is a bummer that you felt that your writing has not improved. While reading your blog I was very in tuned with your writing, so I do think you are a good writer. It kept me interested the entire time while reading. I think this was because you brought up different ideas then I did. I never thought about the idea of this being an online class, and what it would have been like if it was face to face. I think this class was beneficial because it does make us organize ourselves, and if we don’t then this class was difficult. The first few weeks were so hard because I didn’t know how to balance all of the work. I can agree with you that this class was difficult because we are full time students. I am taking five classes while being on the AVC softball team, so yes I remember writing essays on the bus because it was time consuming. Life does get overwhelming, so we need to be able to decide what comes first, second, and so on. For you this class was your last priority, which is not bad. Just as long as you get the job done that’s all that really matters in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteAn online class is not meant for everybody. Everyone has different ways of learning and an online class is pretty difficult for someone who likes to have a hand on type of learning. I understand how you feel a little because I first I was a bit lost and I had trouble keeping up as well. Fortunately for me, I found an easy way to improve my way of doing things for this class. I understand that for you this was not the case and you felt a little obligated to take this class, but at least you are getting it done. This has taught you that you do not prefer online classes and you will not chose one in the future. Online classes also tend to be a little harder in grading and challenges for the simple fact that you do not need to go to a class. People who take this either have a job that tends to change hours a lot or maybe they simply can’t make it to class. It becomes a challenge to those who do not wish to take one but that have no other choice. I wish you luck in your future classes.
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