Online Learning Self Assessment

The ten questions in this self-assessment questionnaire reflect some facts about Web-Based courses. Pick one answer for each question, and at the end of the questionnaire, click the button at the end to view your scores. You can also read Explanations about the scores. Make sure you answer all the questions.

1. My need to have a team
a. high
b. moderate
c. low

2. Feeling that I am part of a team is
a. not particularly necessary to me
b. somewhat important to me. or substitute
c. very important to me.

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. put things off until the last minute.

4. Classroom discussion is
a. rarely helpful to me.
b. sometimes helpful to me.
c. almost always helpful to me.

5. When an instructor hands out directions for an assignment, I prefer
a. figuring out the instructions myself.
b. trying to follow the directions on my own, then asking for help as needed.
c. having the instructions explained to me.

6. I need faculty comments on my assignments
a. within a few weeks, 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 professional and personal schedule, the amount of time I have to work on Web-based courses is
a. more than enough for a campus class or Web-based course.
b. the same as for a class on campus.
c. less than for a class on campus.

8. Coming to campus on a regular schedule is:
a. Extremely difficult fo rme - I have commitments (work, family or personal) during times when classes are offered.
b. A lilttle difficult, but I can rearrange my priorities to allow for regular attendance on campus.
c. Easy for me.

9. As a reader, I would classify myself as
a. good - I usually understand the text without help.
b. average - I sometimes need help to understand the text.
c. slower than average.

10. When I need help understanding the subject:
a. I am comfortable approaching an instructor to ask for clarification.
b. I am uncomfortable approaching an instructor, but do it anyway.
c. I never approach an instructor to admit I don't understand something.

Explanations about the scores | Internet Explorer 7 user click here for explanations
© Prentice Hall

Computing Skills

Online learners are most successful when they possess the right mix of computer skills. Students are expected to have some degree of computer literacy to succeed in an online course. These tasks include (but are not limited to)

• Keyboarding and word processing
• a sound knowledge of the procedures for sending/receiving e-mail, including e-mail with attached files
• a sound knowledge of navigating and conducting information searches within the World Wide Web
• a fundamental awareness of common computing terms
• general familiarity with their own hardware, software, and operating system environment
• general familiarity with creating files and folders/directories

Each course may have specific software you are required to use. Please check with your instructor for additional information.

The following computer skills enhance students’ success: proficiency with email, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer, and Blackboard as well as basic computer skills.

Email skills: Student should be able to send, open, respond to and manage email messages. They should also be able to insert and open Word attachments in an email message.

Microsoft Word skills: Students should be able to type, save, open, and print a document. They should be able to copy and paste as well as format text.

PowerPoint skills: Students should be able to open a slide presentation and navigate within it (move from slide to slide.)

Web Browser skills: Student should be able to access the Internet and use a search engine, such as Google, to locate materials on the Internet. They should also be able to navigate within a website. It is helpful if students are able to download (obtain from the Internet) and install (save on one’s computer) programs called "plug-ins" and other accessories that enable one to use more functions on the Internet. The most frequently used plug-ins are Flash and Acrobat. Often these plug-ins are already installed on one’s computer; otherwise, they are available for download from the Internet. Students unable to download and install them may want to enlist the assistance of a person with more computer expertise to assist them.

Blackboard skills: There is a support site that covers essential Blackboard skills. These skills are: how to access Blackboard and how to access a course, how to access course materials, how to read announcements, how to use the discussion board, how to use the digital drop box, how to submit assignments, how to download documents from dropbox and in the content area.

Basic computer skills: Students should be able to open a program (such as Word and PowerPoint); save, open, and manage (organize) files; and use a CD.