Is Online Learning Right for You?

I am interested in taking an online course because
1. I need the course to fill a degree requirement or a job situation and I can't fit a face-to-face class into my schedule.
2. I think the course looks somewhat interesting and I wonder what an online course is like.
3. I'd prefer not to have to drive to campus.
4. I work full-time or have children and can not attend regular college classes.
Face-to-face communication is
1. Important to me. I need to be able to interact regularly, in person with the instructor and other students.
2. Not that important. As long as I can get answers to questions through email or chat I should do well in the course.
3. I'm not sure how I feel about face-to-face communication.
I
1. Rarely procrastinate. I hate to leave things undone.
2. Sometimes procrastinate, but always finish my assignments on time.
3. Almost always procrastinate and sometimes turn things in late.
I am
1. Disorganized and put as little effort as possible into assigments. I lose things and need someone to remind when assignments are due. It doesn’t bother me when I turn in something late or forget an assignment.
2. Motivated to do well, but still need some one to remind me about long-term assignments.
3. Motivated to do well, organized and disciplined.
I find classroom discussions
1. Necessary. I just can’t learn from the text or lecture.
2. Sometimes helpful. They usually help clarify confusing concepts.
3. Rarely useful. Hearing other people’s opinions can be confusing.
Considering my schedule, the amount of time I have to devote to an online class is
1. More than what I would devote to a face-to-face course.
2. The same as what I would devote to a face-to-face course.
3. Less than what I would devote to a face-to-face course.
I usually
1. Read all assigned chapters in my text and understand most of the material without help.
2. Try to read everything, but often need some explanation.
3. Don’t have time to read everything. I focus on the summaries and hope I get the necessary information.
When I write a paper
1. I have very few problems. I am good at expressing myself.
2. I get writer’s block. I usually finish the paper, but it takes a while.
3. I take a long time. I don’t like writing.
I
1. Have daily access (through a place such as work, school or the library) to a computer with a fast Internet connection. I can also save files to this computer or can transfer files in some way.
2. Have a computer at home. I think it has a modem or something...
3. Don’t own a computer and can’t always access one.
4. Have a computer at home with Road Runner or a DSL Internet connection.
I
1. Have occasionally used the Internet, email and a word processor. I know who to ask for help if something doesn’t work correctly or I’m not sure what to do.
2. Don’t really use the Internet, email or a word processor. If something went wrong, I’m not sure whom I would ask.
3. Use the Internet, email and a word processor regularly. I rarely have problems and can often solve them on my own when they do occur.
If I need help in class I
1. Feel comfortable asking the instructor to explain something.
2. Usually wait to see if the instructor will eventually give further explanation. If not, I might ask a question after class.
3. Don’t ask questions. I try to find the answer on my own or just forget about it.
Computers and other technology
1. Make me nervous. I’m afraid I’ll break something or do something wrong.
2. Are a little frustrating, but I think it’s important to know about.
3. Are motivating to me. I like to know about and learn new technologies and computer applications.