How Does an Online Speech Class Work?

Online speech classes come in two varieties: hybrid and fully online courses. Hybrid speech classes involve several in-person meetings during the course of a semester for presentations, while fully online speech classes usually use video or audio recordings for speech presentation. Common topics in both cases include persuasive speech, body language and public speaking techniques.

Hybrid Speech Classes

Hybrid speech classes are based primarily online, but several in-person meetings are spaced throughout course. Traditional universities may offer online classes for student convenience, but consider live participation an integral part of the education process for this topic. Hybrid speech classes are usually composed of a large portion of online study that a participant can complete at any time. However, deadlines may be set on a schedule based on a series of in-person meetings.
Normally, students communicate with each other and their teachers primarily by e-mail or message board where the teacher assigns topics, checks research and grades written versions of speeches. Mandatory class meetings fall throughout the duration of the curriculum; students present the speeches they have spent their class time researching and preparing. Improvement from one live session to the next is often part of the requirement for passing the class.

Fully Online Speech Classes

Internet-based speech classes are usually available through universities that do not have a physical campus or that offer a wide array of online degree program options. Potential students should check that their school is accredited by an organization that merits the quality of online programs or Web-based schools.
These classes may follow a looser format than hybrid classes, with students completing work at their own pace and turning it in as they are ready; however, they may still have a fixed ending date for the class, by which time all work must be submitted. Some online speech classes have a stricter schedule, similar to a traditional class, so instructors can grade work at a measured pace and provide consistent feedback to students. Speeches may be different each time, in accordance with an assigned topic. Or students may work on the same speech consistently to polish it as the course progresses.
Topic submissions, research and written drafts are usually submitted through e-mail or a school-specific content-sharing platform. But students may be required to contribute to a discussion board to fulfill class requirements for interaction with their peers. Video or audio recordings are common ways to transfer speech performances between student and professor.