CGTalk - AAU online question

SpiralFace

06-16-2008, 11:23 PM

I just graduated from the Academy, and have taken online classes from them in the past. (Although not studio ones.)

Ultimatly, the substance is still there, and to one end, its handy to have the ability to go back and review lecture notes, and have them instantly accessable at all times. But there are some drawbacks.

For one, you don't get the instant teacher interaction that you would get if you took the classes on campus. Which is probably more valuable then the notes itself, as the teacher can get up close and personal with your work, and even take over for a time to see how they treat your work. And not just judge a series of .jpg's that you send them. The interaction is basically at a next to nothing forum assignments that you must do, but this NEVER will truely make up for interacting with other students and faculty. (The main sorces of inspiration when I was in school.)

But at the same time, if you can ignore all of those things, they still point you in the right direction, and its still up to you to do the education part. But at that level, you should ask yourself if it best suits your needs to take the classes online, or simply take the classees at a local community college.

Also, if your going for a BFA, I don't think its possible yet that you can complete the requirements to get a BFA completly online. So at SOME point you will have to go on campus to complete your educaiton. And because its a private school, the credits from the classes won't transfer, all though the degree itself is accredited just like any other California private school degree.

Personally, I would only do the online classes if you have issues fitting physical classes into your schedual, or are REALLY well disipliend and can actually do the work without much instruction or input from others.

If this isn't for you, then I would recommend concidering moving on campus, or look into a local community college around your area.

Just my 2 cents.