Would you pursue online college options for your dc if...

[Deece in MN]

traditional college might not be in their best interest?

 

We have learned over the years that our ds is not at all auditory. I have to repeat things for him to take it all in. When we use video lectures, he has to watch them 2 times to get anything out of them. Things like this.

If he was to go to a traditional college and sit in lectures he would have to tape record the lectures and listen to them again at a later time in order to get anything out of them otherwise he will be lost. I would think this is doable, but having to relisten to lectures for 4 or 5 classes in addition to doing the reading and other assignments seems like it would become overwhelming.

He is fine if he can read the material, so I am thinking that looking at on-line college options might suit his learning style better and make college more accessible to him.

Have any of you used an on-line college option? I know that I have to be careful about this, but I am just wondering if anyone has btdt? Would you encourage him to try a traditional college setting first and see how it goes?

[G5052]

I've taught at local community colleges both online and in-person, and taken both online and in-person classes in the last five years.

 

Keep in mind that the traditional in-person class now is not always what most of us experienced years ago. The textbooks I use both have podcasts and online quizzes, and most of the work I assign is immediately graded by an online system. Granted, this for technical classes, but more and more professors are providing podcast summaries and more online review options. My students have far more ways of learning the material than did previous generations. Even in class, I only lecture about 1/2 the time. The rest is hands-on, group discussion, etc.

 

Online classes require a lot more motivation and discipline for most students, and most take more time than classroom study. When I've failed online students it's almost always because they couldn't get into a regular schedule and keep up. I personally like online classes because I can usually work through the material and assignments faster than most, and I can do things in short bursts versus having to be in class three hours once a week. Keep in mind that not all online classes have video and/or audio lectures. Most of the classes I've taught and taken were "read these pages in your textbook, watch this YouTube video, read the material on this website, and/or do this assignment." Online learning is far more diverse than listening to a lecture, although some classes may use that.

 

The key is to ask what the college(s) you're targetting use in terms of delivery. There's a move in higher education away from pure lecture, but of course not every college or every professor is embracing that.

[Laurie4b]

traditional college might not be in their best interest?

 

We have learned over the years that our ds is not at all auditory. I have to repeat things for him to take it all in. When we use video lectures, he has to watch them 2 times to get anything out of them. Things like this.

If he was to go to a traditional college and sit in lectures he would have to tape record the lectures and listen to them again at a later time in order to get anything out of them otherwise he will be lost. I would think this is doable, but having to relisten to lectures for 4 or 5 classes in addition to doing the reading and other assignments seems like it would become overwhelming.

He is fine if he can read the material, so I am thinking that looking at on-line college options might suit his learning style better and make college more accessible to him.

Have any of you used an on-line college option? I know that I have to be careful about this, but I am just wondering if anyone has btdt? Would you encourage him to try a traditional college setting first and see how it goes?

 

 

You might want to try out a community college class or two and see how those go. It sounds like he might be able to attend traditional school with a reduced load (to allow for extra playbacks of lectures.) OTOH, in a lot of classes I took, the lecture/reading covered about the same material.

[Deece in MN]

Thanks for the responses. They have given me something to think about.

I didn't realize that some traditional college classes have changed. I still think about them as lectures with reading/assignments. :)

He is able to take classes at the local cc next year and this is why I am thinking about this now. We are trying to decide how to approach this as far as having him try just a class or two to see how it goes or what. I am also trying to decide if we should have him take classes that he is interested in, not look at ones that will cover the basics.

I do think we should probably visit the local cc soon and find out what they offer and in what formats and maybe go from there.

Sometimes I wish he was still in elementary. It seemed so easy then. :)

[Laurie4b]

Thanks for the responses. They have given me something to think about.

I didn't realize that some traditional college classes have changed. I still think about them as lectures with reading/assignments. :)

He is able to take classes at the local cc next year and this is why I am thinking about this now. We are trying to decide how to approach this as far as having him try just a class or two to see how it goes or what. I am also trying to decide if we should have him take classes that he is interested in, not look at ones that will cover the basics.

I do think we should probably visit the local cc soon and find out what they offer and in what formats and maybe go from there.

Sometimes I wish he was still in elementary. It seemed so easy then. :)

 

For his first course, I would choose something that you think will be easy for him--certainly something that he is interested in. This will get him used to the new environment. Also, cc teachers tend to be pretty student-friendly; they are not consumed with research that needs to be done.

[TravelingChris]

I am sorry to hear about your son's problems. My dd is the opposite and she did very well in her one college class before and I expect her to have a much easier time in college since she is so auditory. I would try to find classes either online or at campus that rely on readings to a much greater degree than lectures. It will probably help if he is a math or science or something more analytically related like economics. In all those types of classes, the lectures were generally more explanatory than in classes like history or literature. That is why my dd is going into social science but why your son may do better by going into different areas.

[Renee in NC]

I am not auditory at all - I struggle with listening and getting info from a lecture. In college, I learned to take EXTENSIVE notes so that I could "see" what the professor was saying. I do this for everything I have to listen to now. It also helps me to focus and remember.

 

Does your ds take notes when listening to the DVDs? If not, I would have him try there, especially since it takes time to learn to take notes quickly and efficiently.

[MeanestMomInMidwest]

before I suggested online college, I would look at how an online degree is viewed in the profession of interest. Also, whether or not online classes would transfer to a traditional university in case a change of majors was considered down the line.

 

With that said, some children are not cut out for college or at least not right away. I might look into the trades or a union apprenticeship.

 

A bit off topic, but my dh & I are both over educated (or at least over-degreed). We look around at some of our neighbors who work in various professions that do not require a college degree and see that they make just as good of a living as we do. It makes me wonder if I will reconsider my "you can do anything you want after you go go college" mantra.

[Nan in Mass]

No. I would try to find a different work-around. And have him take a reduced load. Have you seen the new pen/notebook/recorder things they have? The pen records the lecture as you take notes and it keeps track of what you were writing when it recorded that piece, so your notes can consist of markers in the recording. You can write things like "This is important" instead of the actual thing that is important. Then later, you can go back and put the pen on "This is important" and it will give you the recording of that spot. This would be a good deal more efficient than the old record-and-listen-to-the-whole-thing method.

-Nan

[Myra]

I would definitely make an appointment with the college guidance/academic department for you and your son to discuss what services the college can offer your son to ensure his academic success. Many colleges now recognize different learning styles and learning challenges and offer support services free of charge - like free tutors, books on tape, software, professor's notes, equipment like Nan mentioned. (There's so much new technology out there that you need to investigate and the college might provide.) The college will/should be able to give you a list of "remedial" or "pre-college" support classes/programs that they offer to help incoming students adjust to the rigors of college academia. Remember, the college is in partnership with your son to help him receive the best education.

 

Good Luck,

Myra

[Ruth in Canada]

I learn best by reading. I don't learn well by listening. However, it never occurred to me that this was a problem in university. I tried to take good notes in lectures (because it helped me to "see" the information) and I relied on my textbooks. . I made sure I had at least one study partner for each class so I could ask questions. I took lots of math, but knew that I wouldn't understand the material until I went home and did problems. (I was basically in class so I would know what was on the exams and pick up bits and pieces that weren't in the text.) When classes were set up so they didn't require attendance, I didn't go. (I had two calculus classes set up that way--finally stopped going--got an A in both classes.)

 

Honestly, it really wasn't a problem for me. I think it would be even less of a problem now that so many teachers are using powerpoint presentations and other visuals.

[Laurie4b]

No. I would try to find a different work-around. And have him take a reduced load. Have you seen the new pen/notebook/recorder things they have? The pen records the lecture as you take notes and it keeps track of what you were writing when it recorded that piece, so your notes can consist of markers in the recording. You can write things like "This is important" instead of the actual thing that is important. Then later, you can go back and put the pen on "This is important" and it will give you the recording of that spot. This would be a good deal more efficient than the old record-and-listen-to-the-whole-thing method.

-Nan

 

THAT is cool! Does anyone know what the pen/notebook/recorder things are called?

[Nan in Mass]

My husband does LOL. I'll ask him when I come home. There are a series of advertisement videos that describe it available on the web. I'll get you the link. I can't believe I didn't think to tell you about it right away.

[EKS]

There are note taking services at colleges that students with documented disabilities can make use of. I think you can even get notes many times without having a documented disability. Also sometimes the instructor makes the notes available. Going over the notes may take less time than listening to the entire lecture. Also, going over the notes and doing the reading prior to the lecture may make the lecture more easily assimilated because the material is familiar.

 

A huge part of the college experience is the social experience and I'm not talking about drinking beer with your buddies. I'm referring to the experience of being with people who are passionately interested in the same things you are, both other students and faculty. Online college does not compare.

 

Actually, I know this from personal experience. I am currently getting a master's degree online. If circumstances didn't dictate that I do it online, I would be at a B&M school because of the camaraderie.

[Deece in MN]

Thank you for the replies. You all have given me some things to consider.

 

He has taken notes from video lectures, but he needs much more practice. :) He tries to write too much and pauses the lecture to write it all down and then starts again. We do have TC lecture How to Become a Super Star Student or whatever it is called. He has watched about half of it.

 

I have seen those pen/notebook things though I haven't really looked at them. They sound like they would be a good investment for him. I will look into those and maybe we could try them out at home a bit so he gets used to using them and how they work.

 

Boy, I didn't realize the services colleges offer to students. I had no help at all when I was going through the choose and go to college years and didn't know anything. I still don't so I really appreciate the advice I get here. Thank you!

 

We will look into the pseo and talk to the cc and go from there. Maybe I am worrying too much over something that will turn out not to be as big of an issue as I think.

[stripe]

Another thing is that not all online classes are reading. Many of them nowadays (because of improved and faster technology) do have audio/audio-visual content, but maybe it would be archived for review, which would be easier than having to do the recording oneself.

 

And similarly I would definitely investigate smaller colleges with smaller class sizes, for a more workshop or discussion type class, instead of the giant lecture hall with 300 students.

[NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too]

THAT is cool! Does anyone know what the pen/notebook/recorder things are called?

 

Livescribe is one that I have seen.

[Nan in Mass]

Here you go: livescribe.com

My husband's coworkers, who are inventor engineers, use them. One of his coworkers has lost two of them already. They are heavyish and fall out of his pocket when he leans over to get things out of the car. He likes them well enough that he has replaced them. They give you software so you can print out your own paper, if you want, or you can buy their notebooks.

-Nan