Assessing Your Readiness

Is Online Learning for Me?

You may find the following tools (Self-Assessment Questions, and Self-Assessment Checklist) helpful in thinking about whether Online learning is for you.

Self-Assessment Questions

How well would distance learning courses fit your circumstances and lifestyle?

Circle an answer for each question as directed.  Answer honestly – no-one will see this but you.  Look at the comments which follow each question to get a feel for your readiness for distance learning.

Note : The number one success factor is a determination to succeed.  If you discover after completing this exercise that some factors will make your experience of distance learning more challenging don’t necessarily be put off.  Determination to do whatever it takes has made educational success possible for even the most unlikely of candidates.

1. My need to take this course now is :
   1. High – I need it immediately for a specific goal.
   2. Moderate – I could take it on campus later or substitute another course.
   3. Low – it could be postponed.
2. Feeling that I am part of a class is:
   1. Not particularly necessary to me.
   2. Somewhat important to me.
   3. Very important to me.
3. I would classify myself as someone who:
   1. Often gets things done ahead of time.
   2. Needs reminding to get things done on time.
   3. Puts things off until the last minute or doesn’t complete them.
4. Classroom discussion is :
   1. Rarely helpful to me.
   2. Sometimes helpful to me.
   3. Almost always helpful to me.
5. When an instructor hands out directions for an assignment, I prefer :
   1. Figuring out the instructions myself
   2. Trying to follow the directions on my own, then asking for help as needed.
   3. Having the instructions explained to me.
6. I need faculty comments on my assignments :
   1. Within a few weeks, so I can review what I did.
   2. Within a few days, or I forget what I did.
   3. Right away, or I get frustrated.
7. Considering my professional and personal schedule, the amount of time I have to work on a distance learning course is :
   1. More than enough for an on campus course.
   2. The same as for a class on campus.
   3. Less than for a class on campus.
8. Coming to campus on a regular schedule is :
   1. Extremely difficult for me – I have commitments (work, family, or personal) during times when classes are offered.
   2. A little difficult, but I can rearrange my priorities to allow for regular attendance on campus.
   3. Easy for me.
9. As a reader I would classify myself as :
   1. Good – I usually understand the text without help.
   2. Average – I sometimes need help to understand the text.
   3. Slower than average.
10. When I need help understanding the subject :
    1. I am comfortable approaching an instructor to ask for clarification.
    2. I am uncomfortable approaching an instructor, but do it anyway.
    3. I never approach an instructor to admit I don’t understand something.
11. My ability to work with technology is as follows:
    1. I have excellent computer skills.
    2. I have some computer and Internet skills.
    3. I am not very familiar with a computer and do not feel comfortable surfing the Net.

Explanations

1. Distance learning students sometimes neglect their courses because of personal or professional circumstances.  Having a compelling reason for taking the course helps motivate the student to stick with the course.
2. Some students prefer the independence of distance learning; others find the independence uncomfortable and miss being part of the classroom experience.
3. Distance learning courses give students greater freedom of scheduling, but they can require more self-discipline than on-campus classes.
4. Some people learn best by interacting with other students and instructors.  Others learn better by listening, reading, and reviewing on their own. Some distance learning courses provide less opportunity for group interaction than most on-campus courses.
5. Distance learning requires you to work from written directions.
6. It may take as little as a couple of days or as much as two to three weeks to get comments back from your instructor in distance learning classes.
7. Distance learning requires at least as much time as on-campus courses or more.  Students surveyed say that distance learning courses are as hard as or harder than on-campus courses.
8. Most people who are successful with distance learning find it hard to come to campus on a regular basis because of their work/family/personal schedules.
9. Print materials are the primary source of directions and information in distance learning courses.
10. Students who do well in distance learning courses are usually comfortable contacting the instructor as soon as they need help with the course.

Self-Assessment Checklist

1. I have access to a computer or the equipment required for an online class.
2. I am not intimidated by using technology for learning.
3. I feel comfortable using the computer for basic word processing, e-mail, and to access the internet.
4. I am a good time manager, can meet deadlines, and can keep track of assignments.
5. I am an independent learner.
6. I am self-disciplined.
7. I can express my ideas, comments, questions, and emotions in writing.
8. I am generally flexible and can adjust to changing schedules.
9. I have some time available for research, homework, and exams.
10. I am a self-starter.
11. I easily understand what I read.
12. I am goal-directed and often achieve my goals.
13. I am realistic and confident about my academic ability.
14. I am persistent and obstacles don’t stop me.
15. I believe in taking responsibility for my own learning.
16. I am open to trying something new.
17. I am open to working in an unstructured setting.
18. I enjoy working in teams, doing collaborative projects, etc.

The more “yes” answers a students has to these questions, the higher likelihood of success in an online course.