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Originally Posted by foreignkid
Once the class "officially" starts, there will have to be a time limit of some sort, otherwise it's not really a class.
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Even this needs some discussion. A self-paced course is viable, too. The simplist method might be to give a tough final exam for each course. Those who make the grade, whether they read the lessons or not, get the certificate for that course. This allows advance placement for those who feel they already know it well enough. For those who take the exam and bomb, they will know there is more in the course than they had thought and will go through it.
I would like to see more involvement by class members, though having both a more regular class program, whatever that my be, and a self-paced course might work fine.
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Again, I'm not trying to be difficult, I'm merely trying to help you guys in finding the best solution to this.
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Your honest opinion is welcome. If it is not favorable to supporting a class here, well, you'll get my honest response.
Sorry if I came on too strong, though.
Online courses are not new, but what is special here is the number of people interested in astronomy who want to be engaged in it. Many are professionals who have no real use for lower level courses and exams. But more folks here are like me, amateurs that love astronomy and want to learn more but have no real time or real money for it. BAUT could easily be the best place for building-up their knowledge of astronomy because of the community support that is so embracing. [Not to mention their tolerance, too. I used to get taken out in the hallway for cutt'n-up in class, here I can shuck corn and tell bad jokes and get away with it. Admittedly, we can't scratch our nails across the blackboard, but there's hope, audio is improving.
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