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Will I Be Successful Taking an On-Line Class?
How well will distance learning fit your
circumstances and your lifestyle? Is online education for you? This
self-evaluation test should help you answer these questions.
On a blank sheet of paper write the letters
A-T down on the left side. Then, answer the following questions, recording the
numeric answers for each lettered question (A-T) in this self-evaluation.
A.
My need to take this course now is:
1.
High—I need it immediately for my degree, job, etc.
2.
Moderate—I could take it on campus later, but want to take it now.
3.
Low—it is a personal interest that could easily be postponed.
B.
How comfortable are you with using the Internet?
1.
Very comfortable
2.
Somewhat comfortable
3.
Not comfortable
C.
Feeling that I am part of a class is:
1.
Now particularly necessary to me
2.
Somewhat important to me
3.
Very important to me.
D.
How comfortable are you with using an e-mail program for sending and
receiving attachments?
1.
Very comfortable
2.
Somewhat comfortable
3.
Not comfortable
E.
How many days per week can you set aside to work on your online course?
1.
3 days (normal classroom meetings per week)
2.
2 days (missing 1 classroom meeting per week)
3.
1 day (missing 2 classroom meetings per week)
F.
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
G.
Classroom discussions are:
1.
rarely helpful to me
2.
sometimes helpful to me
3.
almost always helpful to me
H.
How many hours per day (for the days you chose in #E) can you set aside
to work on your on-line class.
1.
2 to 3 hours per day
2.
1 to 2 hours per day
3.
1 hour per day
I.
During the days and hours you choose to work on this course, how often
will you be disturbed?
1.
Never
2.
Occasionally
3.
Very often
J.
How are your time management skills?
1.
Excellent
2.
Need some work
3.
What is time?
K.
When an instructor hands our directions for an assignment, I prefer:
1.
figuring our the instructions on my own
2.
trying to follow directions on my own, asking for help when needed
3.
having the instructions explained orally first
L.
Considering my current schedule, the amount of time I expect to spend is:
1.
more than what I would expect for a campus class
2.
more time than taking a class on campus
3.
less time than taking a class on campus
M. Where is your computer located?
1.
In a secluded area of the house/office
2.
In a fairly secluded area of the house/office
3.
In the busiest area of the house/office
N. Do you have the software and hardware required
this particular course?
1. Yes
2.
Have access to it
3.
No
O.
When I am asked to use technologies that are new to me:
1.
I look forward to learning new skills
2.
I feel apprehensive, but try anyway
3.
I put it off or try to avoid it
P.
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—I usually need a lot of help
Q.
In rating my computer literacy and Internet skills, I would say that:
1.
I am comfortable and competent
2.
I am able to complete the tasks, but am not accomplished at them
3.
Working with computers and the Internet is rather new to me
R.
When it comes to taking responsibility for my own learning:
1.
I am a self-starter and take full responsibility
2.
I usually need a push to get started before I take on the responsibility
3.
I prefer others to take the major responsibility for my learning
S.
How comfortable are you without instant feedback to your questions or
assignments?
1.
Very comfortable
2.
Somewhat comfortable
3.
Not comfortable
T.
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 will forget what I did
3.
Right away, or I get frustrated
Scoring the Self Evaluation
Total the 20 numbers of the lettered questions. If your
total is less than 40, online courses may be a very good possibility for you.
If your total is between 40 and 50, online courses may work for you, but you
will have to make a few adjustments in your attitudes and plans to succeed. If
you scored more than 50 points, online courses are probably not in your best
interest.
*This self-evaluation is
a modification of similar ones designed by Lynne Schrum—University of Georgia,
Extended Learning Institute—Northern Virginia Community College, and Distance
Learning—Clackamus
Community College.
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