Are Online Courses for Me?
Listed below are the ANSWERS you selected for each question. Stated next to each of your answer is information to help you become knowledgeable of the skills and behaviors that have been noted to assist students in being a successful online student. Plus, additional resources and other support services have been listed to help you gain any required basic computer skills and knowledge that you will need to participate in an online class. Note: Some of these support services, such as basic computer skills, are offered on campus through traditional courses, Continuing Education, video tapes, or at the campus computer support center.
1. Do you have access to a computer with a DVD/CD-ROM drive an Internet connection and printer at home or at work?
Yes No
In order to participate in Online Classes and to be a successful online student you will need a reliable computer with a DVD/CD-ROM drive and Internet connection. If you do not have a computer you may access your course at the campus library or computer labs.
2. Would you feel comfortable learning without having face-to-face interaction with your instructor?
Online Classes take place via the Internet. The program has been designed to deliver your classes in an asynchronous format (any time ~ any where 24 hours / 7 days a week). Thus, you will not have any face-to-face interaction with your instructor, classmates, or any scheduled class times for meeting online. However, there will be a great deal of interaction via e-mail and online discussions. You will need to know how to send and receive e-mail messages with attachments before starting online course. If you prefer face-to-face interaction with your instructor you should consider attending traditional classes.
3. Can you dedicate a minimum of six to eight hours per week to participate in the online learning environment?
As with traditional college classes, online courses require the same amount of time (minimum of six to eight hours per week) for study time and completing assignments. Online courses have the same rigor and depth of information as traditional courses.
4. Are you a highly self-motivated and self-disciplined learner?
To be a successful online student you will need to be highly motivated and self-disciplined in terms of arranging your time for studying and completing assignments in a timely and structured manner. Remember, your will not have the face-to-face reinforcement of an instructor to keep you on task. However, the instructors will follow-up with you via e-mails, phone calls, or letters. Procrastination can result in poor performance in any type of learning environment! Do not wait to call in for help or for support services. E-mail your instructor as soon as you start to experience problems academically and socially in terms of completing your assignments.
5. Do you have good time management skills?
Excellent time management skills are a good indication that students will perform well in an online course. Due to the fact that the format online courses is asynchronous, it is easy to fall behind or wait until the last minute to complete assignments. Contact your instructor as soon as you find yourself falling behind in your assignments.
6. Are you able to send and receive e-mails with attachments?
The majority of the interaction with your instructor and classmates will be through e-mail. You should have a good understanding of how e-mail works, as well as, be able to send and open e-mail attachments.
7. Do you feel comfortable reading and completing assignments without immediate feedback from an instructor?
Again, the design of this program allows for students to access their course assignments at any time and any where / 24 hours - 7 days a week. Thus, students will not receive immediate feedback in terms of questions and evaluation of assignments. Example: if you are accessing your course on the weekend and have a question for your instructor - your instructor might not respond to that question until the following Monday. Thus, this may become frustrating for students if immediate feedback is required to complete assignments. Do not hesitate to contact your instructor by e-mail or phone if you find you need additional assistance!
8. Do you think that online learning is less difficult than traditional classroom instruction?
Online courses have the same rigor and depth of information as traditional courses. The differences are in the delivery design (asynchronous) in terms of no face-to-face interaction or scheduled physical appearance as in a traditional classroom. All of your instructions and assignments are entirely online. Remember, online asynchronous delivery is just one of the several options for students to obtain information. Some students find that attending traditional classes are best suited for their learning style.
9. Do you know how to use Internet search engines? e.g. Google, Yahoo, etc
You should know how to use Internet Search Engines to help you to access information and resources online. The skill of using search engines will assist you with your online course work and assignments.
10. Do you prefer solving problems on your own?
Please know that you will be required to use problem solving skills and methods for many of your courses. Online courses contain a great deal of written instructions and interactive problem solving activities. You will have many problem solving assignments, knowledge and skills application activities, and case studies. You will have to make decisions based on those instructions without the immediate aid of your instructor or classmates. Online instructors have been trained to provide supplementary materials and websites to assist you in solving problems. However, if you experience problems with assignments you are to contact your instructor via e-mail or call the instructor during the noted office hours located on the course syllabus.