| As Gerald Powless advanced in rank and | | | | requires keeping specific hours. Much |
| responsibility in the US Army, he found | | | | like a traditional class that meets |
| it harder and harder to attend | | | | twice a week from 4.30-6.30 P.M. for |
| traditional college classes. With longer | | | | example, a synchronous course requires |
| hours, a heaver workload, and more | | | | students to be online at certain times. |
| responsibility, Powless looked toward | | | | This type of course is best for students |
| online coursework for the first time in | | | | with compatible schedules. |
| 2003. Enlisted in the Army for almost | | | | Online Education Means You're Never |
| twenty years, he is considering becoming | | | | Alone |
| a history teacher when he retires from | | | | It is important to know that no matter |
| the Army. | | | | the type of course, online classrooms |
| Education opportunities have changed | | | | are set up to be as user-friendly as |
| since he began his Army career--today | | | | possible. Inside a virtual classroom |
| Powless takes advantage of convenient | | | | there are links to a syllabus with all |
| and accessible online education options | | | | of the necessary information, lessons |
| to earn a bachelor's degree in history. | | | | divided by topic and due dates, |
| Online Education in a War Zone | | | | communication systems, and discussion |
| "I decided it was perfect for me," says | | | | boards. Students usually can log on at |
| Powless about online courses. "I was | | | | any time of the day or night to submit |
| able to work away at my classes | | | | assignments or join group discussions |
| twenty-four hours a day if necessary, | | | | with fellow classmates. In this way, |
| even if I was on a deployment, as long | | | | there is a dynamic community created in |
| as I had Internet access." His | | | | the virtual classroom, much like the |
| deployments have even included a year in | | | | community created in a traditional |
| Iraq. Stationed in the northern city of | | | | classroom. |
| Mosul from October 2004 to September | | | | One of the things students worry about |
| 2005, he completed a course in college | | | | when taking online courses is the lack |
| algebra in the middle of a war zone. | | | | of student-teacher interaction in the |
| Powless exhibits the kind of discipline | | | | virtual setting, but Powless says that |
| needed to complete online coursework, | | | | has not been the case for him. "Of all |
| though in his case it seems extreme. | | | | of the classes I have taken online, I |
| Everyone is busy with jobs, kids, and | | | | always have my questions answered in a |
| the normal activities of adult life, but | | | | timely, accurate, and professional |
| if students like Gerald Powless can | | | | manner. Additionally, if there is any |
| complete a course while making history | | | | information to be passed on to the |
| in Iraq it is certainly possible for | | | | students, it gets disseminated quickly |
| those of us with safer lives and fewer | | | | and proficiently." |
| demands. | | | | The truth is, Powless and students like |
| How the Virtual Classroom Works | | | | him, whether they live in the center of |
| Taking college courses through a virtual | | | | New York City or in rural Iowa, are part |
| classroom is not as complicated as it | | | | of an educational revolution. No matter |
| might seem, according to Powless. "Once | | | | where you live and work, college degree |
| enrolled, I get on the school website | | | | programs are available. |
| that is e-mailed to me, browse around | | | | Online Student/Active Duty Soldier |
| for a while, and get familiar navigating | | | | "These courses work out perfectly for |
| through it. I then locate the syllabus | | | | active duty soldiers who have rigorous, |
| and print it out and look it over until | | | | fluctuating hours," he says. Even if you |
| I completely comprehend it. Next, I | | | | are not in the service, follow this |
| print out all of the lessons for the | | | | piece of advice: "One must be punctual |
| subject. Finally, I put everything in | | | | and disciplined to be successful." No |
| order, prioritize everything, develop a | | | | doubt we can all learn from that kind of |
| plan, begin implementing the plan, and | | | | recommendation. |
| most importantly, stick with the plan." | | | | As well as the algebra course he |
| Sticking with the plan is great advice | | | | finished in Iraq, Powless has completed |
| for students taking online courses. | | | | courses in humanities and the fine arts, |
| Though you don't have to arrive at a | | | | business management, and English |
| classroom on time for most courses, | | | | literature online. All of these will |
| there are deadlines that need to be met, | | | | soon add up to a degree in history, |
| and it can be just as easy to fall | | | | which he hopes to use to become a |
| behind online as in a traditional | | | | teacher. With his opinions on discipline |
| classroom. Each university offers | | | | and punctuality, it comes as no surprise |
| different types of online classes. Some | | | | that Gerald Powless is also considering |
| are asynchronous, which means that | | | | completing the required graduate work to |
| though there might be deadlines for | | | | become a principal. He says, "I refuse |
| assignments, there is no "live" | | | | to stop taking college courses until I |
| component to the course. This kind of | | | | graduate with a master's degree, even if |
| course is best for students with | | | | I have to take one class at a time like |
| schedules that change. A few courses of | | | | I am doing now." |
| this variety are asynchronous as well | | | | Powless feels that with a bit of |
| was "self-paced", which means you can | | | | determination and discipline, almost |
| turn in the assignments whenever you get | | | | anything is possible. As you begin your |
| to them, as long as everything is | | | | education, take this piece of advice |
| finished by the course end date. The | | | | from someone who knows, "The secret is |
| final option is to take a synchronous | | | | to do your best, and to never quit. |
| course, which is the kind of class that | | | | |