You are considering taking an online writing class. Before you sign up, it will be important for you to know what you are getting into. It is different to teach and surely different to take.
Many students wrongly assume that distance learning classes are similar to correspondence courses.
A correspondence course is one where you are given a list of readings and assignments and turn them in at your own pace, receiving credit from the instructor until you have fulfilled all the requirements. And while some distance learning instructors may teach this way, I do not. This is especially important for you to know if you hold a demanding job, raise a family, or are taking a full load at a local university in addition to taking this class. You may be a person who has made the assumption that you can take a distance learning class because you can squeeze it into your already full schedule and work at your own pace. While this is partly true within reason, you must understand that this is not a self-paced course.