Distance Learning: Online Learner Self Assessment

Distance Learning Coordinator

Lorraine Raper, Associate Dean
lraper@wilsoncc.edu
252-246-1339

Help Desk

Katherine Bennett
kbennett@wilsoncc.edu
(252) 246-1224

Additional Contact Information

Instructions:

 Determine your readiness to succeed in an online course by answering "Yes" or "No" to the following statements.

 

Self Assessment

  1. I am comfortable working with computers.
    •  Yes
    •  No  
  2. I have regular access to a computer that is connected to the Internet (preferably at home).
    •  Yes
    •  No  
  3. I have the necessary computer hardware/software to successfully participate in an online course. (Minimum Requirements: Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT, ME, XP or MacOS 9, MacOS X; 64 MB of RAM, 1 G of free disk space; Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Reader; Internet Explorer 5.5 or Netscape Communicator 4.78; JavaScript and Cookies enabled; 56 K modem; virus protection software.)
    •  Yes
    •  No  
  4. I know how to open and send e-mail messages with attachments.
    •  Yes
    •  No  
  5. I know how to use a Web browser.
    •  Yes
    •  No  
  6. I am able to load, download, upgrade, and install software on my computer.
    •  Yes
    •  No  
  7. I can type at least 30-35 words per minute.
    •  Yes
    •  No
  8. I am familiar with a word processing program.
    •  Yes
    •  No
  9. I can copy and paste text from one document to another.
    •  Yes
    •  No  
  10. I can save a file on my computer.
    •  Yes
    •  No  
  11. I can find and open a file on my computer.
    •  Yes
    •  No  
  12. I know how to create and how to use file folders on my computer.
    •  Yes
    •  No  
  13. I am a self-motivated and disciplined learner.
    •  Yes
    •  No  
  14. I have college-level reading skills.
    •  Yes
    •  No  
  15. I enjoy expressing my ideas in writing.
    •  Yes
    •  No  
  16. I prefer to learn independently and rarely need an instructor's guidance or assurances.
    •  Yes
    •  No  
  17. I can communicate effectively without face-to-face interaction with my classmates or my instructor.
    •  Yes
    •  No  
  18. I enjoy interacting with others online.
    •  Yes
    •  No  
  19. I recognize that the requirements for an Internet course are the same or possibly greater than the requirements for a traditional course.
    •  Yes
    •  No
  20. I can reserve 9 to 12 hours per week to work on an online course.
    •  Yes
    •  No  
  21. I am willing to spend several hours at a time working with my computer.
    •  Yes
    •  No
  22. I am willing to contact my instructor when I need help with an online course.
    •  Yes
    •  No
  23. I understand that I may have to wait patiently for a response from my instructor to my email messages. The turn-around time is generally within 24 to 48 hours on weekdays.
    •  Yes
    •  No
  24. I have successfully completed at least two traditional college-level courses.
    •  Yes
    •  No  
  25. I am confident in my ability to successfully complete an online course.
    •  Yes
    •  No

Results: A high number of "Yes" responses should indicate that you have the skills and equipment necessary to succeed in an online course.

If you answered "No" to 5 or more of the 25 statements, you should consider enrolling in a traditional course.

Note: This is a Self Assessment, you do not need to send it to your instructors.