Are You Ready for Online Learning?

Self-Assessment: Learning Styles

1. (a) Can you work independently without much contact with others; or
   (b) Do you feel the need to be with other students and/or the instructor to feel as though you are part of the class?
    
2. (a)Would you classify yourself as someone who is self-motivated and does not need a lot of direction; or
   (b)Do you need assistance in keeping on task and understanding what needs to be done?
    
3. (a) Can you prioritize your workload; or
   (b) Do you procrastinate and easily distracted?
    
4. (a)Are you able to assess your own progress; or
   (b) Do you need immediate instructor feedback on assignments/assessments?
    
5. (a)Will you schedule enough time to accomplish an online course like you would in a traditional course setting; or
   (b) Will your online course be low priority in your schedule.?
    
6. (a) Do you like to learn new computer or technology skills; or
   (b) Do you find this difficult or daunting?
    
7. (a) As a reader, do you usually comprehend written material; or
   (b) Do you struggle with retaining the information? 

Self-Assessment: Technical Considerations

1. Do you currently have an email address?
    
2. Can you attach a file and open an attachment to an email message?
    
3. Can you copy and paste text from one source into an email message?
    
4. Do you have multimedia capabilities on your computer, tablet, laptop, etc. like speakers, camera, microphone, etc.?
    
5. Do you know how to update your computer with virus protection, plugins, players, etc.?
    
6. Do you have easy access to the internet?
    
7. Do you have your own computer or laptop?
    
8. Do you know how to install software on your computer?
    
9. Do you know what a browser is?
    
10. Can you manage files (save files, move files, etc.) on your computer or laptop?

How to Assess Your Answers

For Learning Styles: All of our online courses do allow for communication between you and your instructor and some instructors create groups of students who will work together on a project. Emailing is the main form of communication, but some instructors use virtual office hours to assist as well.  If you answer (a) to the questions, then online courses may be right for you. If your answers lean toward (b), you may want to reconsider taking online courses. 

For Technical Considerations: If you answered yes to most if not all of the Technical Consideration questions, online learning may be right for you.