With online courses, there is no classroom supervision from an instructor, so students must possess self-discipline, self-motivation and organizational skills. Although there are deadlines for tests and homework assignments, students are not reminded to study or complete homework unless they turn on the computer and actively participate in the class's online forum or website.
The absence of student-teacher interaction has become less of a problem over the years with the use of webcams and online chat. There are still some downsides such as waiting for the teacher to respond to an email, miscommunication and difficulty understanding what is being said or explained. The give-and-take of a live classroom also cannot be matched in online classes.
Online classes do not offer the opportunity for partnered or group projects like live classrooms do. Face-to-face interaction facilitates communication, enables collaboration, promotes socialization and increases language skills; these benefits can be diminished in an online class setting.
System updates and maintenance may cut into a student's time. Problems with the student's computer such as viruses and poor Internet connection may prevent the student from doing the required classwork and turning homework in on time. In addition, students must have a good knowledge of the Internet and how to navigate the online world or they will not receive the full benefit of their online class experience.
Some online classes lack accreditation, which means any degree earned will be of questionable value when applied to the real world. Classes can be regionally or nationally accredited, and online classes offered by reputable colleges and universities should be as legitimate as live classes conducted by the same institution. Both the Department of Education and the College Board provide information on whether or not an online class has valid accreditation.
There are costs associated with online classes beyond traditional tuition and school fees. For example, students must have a computer and high-speed Internet access. Some schools that provide accredited online classes are in the private sector, so cost of enrollment may be more.