If you’ve taken a course on campus, you probably sat in a desk while a professor gave a lecture from the front of the classroom. This is hardly possible in an online course and, in fact, is not an effective way to teach in the online environment. Course content varies by course, but most will include some mix of textbook or journal readings, portions of video lectures, discussion boards, PowerPoint presentations, and more.

Just like traditional courses, students in online courses complete group projects (online), write papers, and take exams (online or proctored). Most courses also require that students regularly participate in discussion boards, which allow you to discuss course topics with your classmates and instructor.

Some students expect online courses to be easier than traditional courses. This is a myth! Online courses are different from traditional courses but usually just as challenging.