How well would online courses fit into your busy life-style? This quiz may give you a better idea of whether online courses are suited for you and vice versa. Choose one answer for each question (be honest with yourself) and score as indicated.
1. My need to take this course now is:
a. High – I need it immediately for degree, job, or other important reason.
b. Moderate – I could take it on campus later or substitute another course.
c. Low – It’s a personal interest that could be postponed.
2. My favorite type of class would have me:
a. Watching a performance
b. Doing the activity myself.
c. Hearing a lecture.
3. I would classify myself as someone who:
a. Often gets things done ahead of time.
b. Needs reminding to get things done on time.
c. Puts things off until the last minute.
4. The following best describes my communication style:
a. I always participate in classroom discussions & have no problems voicing
my opinion.
b. I may occasionally participate face to face, but feel comfortable writing
about my ideas and feelings.
c. I avoid participating face to face or in written form, I don’t like to share my
thoughts and opinions with others.
5. When an instructor hands out directions for an assignment, I prefer:
a. Figuring out the instructions myself.
b. Trying to follow directions on my own, then asking for help as needed.
c. Having the instructions verbally explained to me step by step.
6. I need faculty comments on my assignments.
a. Within a week, so I can review what I did.
b. Within a few days, or I forget what I did.
c. Right away or I get very frustrated.
7. Considering my personal schedule, the amount of time I have to work on distance ed courses is:
a. More than enough for an on-campus or an online course.
b. The same as for a class on campus
c. Less than for a class on campus.
8. When I am asked to use computers, email, or other new technologies:
a. I feel confident and immediately try out the new tool.
b. I read all instructions before I start using the new tool.
c. I prefer having someone with me when I use the new tool.
9. As a reader, I would classify myself as:
a. Good – I usually understand the text without help.
b. Average – Sometimes I have questions after reading text.
c. Actually I‘d rather not do much reading.
10. I would classify myself as organized and resourceful:
a. All of the time – I make schedules for myself and can figure out how to
accomplish most tasks.
b. Some of the time – I’m fairly organized and generally make an effort to
figure things out.
c. Never – I am usually too busy with other aspects of my life to put much
effort into organizing and pacing myself & prefer to have things scheduled
out for me.
Add 3 points for each “a” that you indicated, 2 for each “b” and 1 for each “c”. If you scored 20 or over, an online course is a real possibility for you. If you scored between 11 and 20, online courses may work for you, but you may need to make a few adjustments in your schedule and study habits to succeed. If you scored less than 10, online courses may not currently be the best alternative for you; talk to a counselor.
The ten questions in the questionnaire reflect some of the facts about taking online courses.