Andrea Collier, author, writing instructor
A previous Boston writing careers article (www.examiner.com/Boston-Writing-Careers-choose-an-online-writing-class) introduced several factors to consider when choosing an online writing class. Another component to think about is opportunities for interaction with the instructor.
Communications might be conducted via phone calls, either with the instructor and your classmates, or individually—just you and the instructor, going over your work together.
Andrea Collier (www.andreacollier.com) has contributed to The New York Times, The Washington Post, Essence, Ladies Home Journal, and many other major publications, and is lead author of The Black Woman’s Guide to Black Men’s Health. She also conducts online writing courses.
Andrea provides opportunities for her students to speak directly to her on an individual basis. In addition to communicating with her via email, her students schedule phone discussions, in which she shares detailed suggestions for improving their work.
Of course, you’ll need to determine in advance what you want to get out of an online writing course. Do you want feedback from the other students in the class, or only from the instructor? Can you get a refund, if the class is not to your liking? Can you keep up with the assignment load?
As Andrea Collier warns, “People often think that taking a class online makes it easier to put off the work. But, you need to be prepared to work as hard online as you would if you had to show up each week and look the instructor in the eye.”
The best benefits of taking online writing classes? The convenience of working on your assignments when you want to, and learning from the instructor of your choices—no matter where he or she is physically located.
To learn more about Andrea Collier's online courses, contact her at andrea@andreacollier.com.
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