03-08-2021, 11:48 AM
(03-07-2021, 12:18 PM)Alpha Wrote:(03-06-2021, 04:19 AM)eLearner Wrote: Most programs that claim to be self-paced really mean that you can log in to classes whenever you want and study whenever you want, but you still have set deadlines for handing-in papers and taking exams, and to me that's not self-paced that's just flexible. Self-paced to me means totally asynchronous and no deadlines.
For me this is worth a bit more discussion because when I think of "self-paced" I think of the student having the ability to either accelerate or decelerate the course. Some people use the term self-paced as being synonymous with accelerated. Personally, with my life as it is, I find it useful to be able to slow things down as other demands on my time increase. I know I don't finish as quickly as someone else might but I can control my level of stress better and my attitude towards the entire experience improves as a result.
In independent study and also competency-based programs, nothing stops a student from decelerating whenever they choose except for maybe finances since you'll keep paying the same amount of money regardless of the amount of classes you take.