In response to the global pandemic, Centennial College, along with other Ontario colleges, will still mostly engage in online learning when the fall semester begins in September. Here’s how online learning works: Programs in Online Learning can be found on our eCentennial Learning Management system. These online courses are led by a professional instructor, just like an in-school class. You can access an online classroom 24-7 through our eCentennial system and use it to view course materials, videos and assignments, and connect with your teacher and fellow students online. In addition, if you need to do labs as a part of your program, you may have limited, safe access to live lab instruction on campus. If you’re starting school in September, you might have further questions about online learning. Here are some of the answers you’re looking for.
Will online learning replace classroom teaching?
No. Once COVID-19 is no longer a concern, Centennial College plans return to normal in-person classes, though when that happens depends on Canadian and global factors. That being said, fall semester will definitely be taught primarily at a distance. Online learning will still be available as an option at Centennial College, as it was before.
Is online learning effective?
There have been plenty of studies over the years, including recent ones, that show online learning is equally effective compared to in-class learning. At Centennial College, we work to ensure that you get the same great education in a time and place that suits you through our online learning.
Who benefits from online learning?
Right now, everyone benefits, in that online learning allows you to stay socially distant and remain in your home. However, even when in-person learning is in session, online learning benefits people that can’t make it to school, and people who need to learn at unusual schedules. Online learning can accommodate many different students’ needs, and the main idea behind distance education is letting you broaden your intellectual horizons without having to sacrifice your current life to do it. Here’s a little more on why you might choose to engage in online learning after classes are back.
Is online learning harder than in-class learning?
A benefit of online learning is the ability to set your own schedule. However, this also means that discipline is more important, since you have no one watching over you, and you need to be good at staying on task, setting your own schedule, and creating a workspace that’s good for your studies. Here’s a bit more on what you can do to get ready for online learning.
How can I do group work when I’m learning online?
We’ve already released a series of tips on effective teamwork when distance learning, which you can read here, but to sum it up, it’s all about picking a communications channel (teleconferencing software like Zoom), regularly meeting on there, working on the same Google Doc, and clearly marking out each member’s responsibilities.
Written by: Anthony Geremia