Yes, you would also experience diversity on campus; however, the type of diversity that you see online (adults returning to school, military personnel taking classes for the first time, students young and old from all over the U.S. and sometimes internationally) is a greater percentage. There will be a larger percentage of older adults, married adults, women with families, people working part-time or full-time etc. If you’re looking for a young group of people that are in the freshman category, then you may find your online class lacking.
You will get to know these people when you respond to the discussion prompts and reply to your classmates’ posts. There is quite a bit of writing for group projects or paper assignments. You will learn how to best express yourself and how to listen to and respond to others well.
For students who speak English as a second language, Northeastern University recommends:
“Let’s say English isn’t your first language. Do you want to come into a classroom setting to practice your language skills? Or would you be more comfortable participating in an online discussion board setting where you have the time you need to think through your responses?”
If you’re an international student who can't travel to the U.S., then online classes are a great way to meet people across the globe and communicate on topics you want to learn more about.
Students with disabilities may also find online colleges helpful if the on-campus schools they’re looking at do not provide what they need.
You can sample an online class here at Liberty University Online to see if the online discussion board format is for you.
Trenda Parker, Liberty Online Alumna, shared:
“My experience at Liberty University Online has truly been a remarkable one. The community within Liberty Online made me feel as though I was a part of something that was greater than myself, although I was thousands of miles away. I felt connected and as though I belonged. The encouragement, the challenge, the education from a Christian perspective, the prayers, the diversity of people from different industries and different walks of life was simply astounding.”
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