| As many people reach retirement age, they think | | | | written. Some people need that personal and |
| about how they are going to fill all of the extra | | | | verbal interaction with the instructor to get the |
| time that they have available to them. A large | | | | most out of a class. |
| proportion of them have always thought that it'd | | | | For those that do decide to sign up for an online |
| be nice to live the life of a writer and perhaps | | | | course, however, there are a few things you |
| write a book or some articles. The hardest part is | | | | should check out: |
| figuring out how to start. Should they enroll in a | | | | 1) If you're taking the writing class as part of a |
| writing course at their Jr. College? Should they go | | | | high school or college curriculum, make sure that |
| to the library and check out some books on | | | | the course is accredited in your state. If you're |
| writing? Or should they just start writing? In the | | | | just taking the course to learn to write, it doesn't |
| age of the Internet, what many have decide to | | | | really matter. |
| do is to take an online writing course. | | | | 2) Check to see if your instructor is proficient in |
| Online writing courses are convenient for a | | | | the type of writing that you are interested in. For |
| number of reasons. The biggest benefit, of | | | | example, if you are interested in writing fiction, |
| course, is that you can learn from the comfort of | | | | you may not get much from an author whose |
| your own home. You don't have to get into the | | | | resume is 100% biographies. |
| car and drive five, ten, or fifteen miles to a | | | | 3) Check the class requirements and make sure |
| campus somewhere. Another advantage, is that | | | | that you'll have access to everything needed. For |
| often, depending on the type of online course, | | | | example, the course may require that you watch |
| you can go at your own pace. In a live classroom | | | | video. Does your computer have the graphic card |
| setting, everyone goes at the same pace. If | | | | necessary to do so? Or maybe certain |
| you're faster than someone else, or slower, it | | | | components of the course require that you have |
| doesn't matter. To a certain extent, you're | | | | broad band access. If you still have dial-up, you |
| confined and restricted by the speed and | | | | may have to upgrade. or, the course may require |
| progress of others. | | | | that you use a certain piece of writing software. |
| There are a couple of disadvantages too, | | | | Bottom line - check the requirements. |
| however. For one, it's very easy to skip a class | | | | 4) Some online classes will offer you incentives to |
| because there is no one to push you. It's easy to | | | | sign up. For example, a free website to promote |
| just "blow off" assignments. Another | | | | your work once the class is complete. Or maybe |
| disadvantage, for those who like interacting with | | | | introduction to services that will help you to sell |
| fellow students is that you're alone. Some people | | | | your written materials. If any of the extras |
| work well alone, but others cannot. For these, a | | | | appeal to you, take them into consideration when |
| classroom setting is probably the best option. And | | | | making your choice. |
| lastly, sometimes the feedback is 90% or more | | | | |