Consider Your Learning Style

Choosing the right instructional format that works for you requires some insight into your learning style.

You can learn more about your learning style by completing the Self Scored VARK Inventory and/or the Index of Learning Styles Questionnaire from North Carolina State University.

Hopefully these self assessments will provide you some insight in helping you choose a course format that is right for you. Some of the different course formats include:

• Online/Internet courses are conducted through a virtual classroom. Students have weekly assignments, course projects, and hold discussions online with their instructor and classmates.
• Independent study courses, although very flexible, require a great deal of self-discipline to get the work done. Students work alone with assistance from the instructor. Compared to students in a classroom setting, a higher percentage of students do not complete independent courses, resulting in an "F" on their transcript.
• Reduced seat time courses usually meet every other week and are Web supported.
• Traditional classroom courses usually meet once a week.

Regardless of the format, research has shown that the more time and effort you put into the course, the more you will get out of it. Course formats that require less time in class will require more reading and more assignments to compensate for not providing classroom instruction.  As an online learner, you'll have to take more responsibility for your learning. We suggest setting aside 12-15 hours of study time each week per course.