Friday, July 23, 2010

Summer/Online Courses

It's the middle of summer for many, however, I feel like my summer has ended. Opposed to many, I don't think this is a bad thing. I graduated from CCC last semester. My entire 2 and half years here I have never taken summer courses. Now that I graduated I guess I decided it would be a good idea!

Summer courses are typically compact courses where you do a lot more work in a shorter amount of time. At least that's what it seems like when you get a syllabus! I decided to take Sociology: The Family. I have always been interested in Sociology since my first semester here at CCC but continuing with it had never fit into my scheduling. Now that I wasn't trying to fit things into my schedule so I could graduate, I took this course to decide if I wanted to minor in Sociology when I transfer on to my 4-year school for American Sign Language in a month!

I didn't want to be stuck in a classroom all summer; thank God it was an online course! Did I mention that I have never taken an online course before either? I was worried about how I would do or if the style would suit me. Fortunately, I loved it! After weekly quizzes, weekly discussions, and two major assignments (that were tailored to my interests) I found myself leaving that course with an A!

I had the freedom to work on the assignments when I had time (so I didn't feel I was being robbed of my summer). I also had the freedom to go to Texas for a week (where I wasn't able to get online) and the instructor made arrangements for me to be able to work ahead in the course. I can't guarantee that you'll have this much flexibility if you decide to take an online course in the future, but my advice would be, make sure you stay on task before you ask the instructor for a favor!

Now that this course is over, I am started Contemporary Craft History, also an online course. This course wasn't something I desired to take, but I needed 6 credits in order to be a full time student to receive financial aid (better than 12 credits, which is what is required during Fall and Spring semesters). I had registered for Ceramics (which is another course I have always wanted to take at CCC but had not had the time)... but unfortunately the course did not fit with my work schedule.

I just started Contemporary Craft History and am already loving it! One of my assignments is to visit Corning Museum of Glass. This course is definitely not something I would have taken toward my major, but I'm glad I am allowing myself to expand my knowledge past what I think I'd be interested in. That's the point of college, right? I'm enjoying these last courses at CCC before I leave for my 4 year school.

-K8