Is taking an online class a good fit for you?
Learning through an online class requires different skills than learning in a face-to-face class. It's important to know what you're getting into and to understand the kind of commitment that's necessary for success in online learning.
This assessment is for informational purposes only and is not required for enrollment. For additional help figuring out whether an online class is a worthwhile option for you, consult with your academic advisor.
Crucial Skills
| Answers that indicate an online course is a good choice. | Answers that indicate an online class may not be a good choice at this time. |
|---|---|
| I am very good at planning and managing my time so that my work is on time and complete. | I am ok with time management but have had to ask professors for extensions in the past. |
| If I can't figure out something, I am comfortable asking my classmates or the instructor for help via email, discussion board, or chat. | Meeting with my professor in person to ask questions is more comfortable for me. |
| I am usually able to stay on task and avoid distractions (texting, Facebook) while studying. | I get distracted easily while studying and need a lot of time to accomplish my work. |
| Setting aside a regular 5-8 hours per week to devote to an online class is possible for me. | It's hard for me to predict when I'll be able to do the online work. Besides, I thought you could do the work whenever you wanted...right? |
| I have little or no trouble expressing myself in writing using formal grammar and spelling. | I have found using formal grammar and spelling to be a challenge in expressing myself. |
| I am comfortable learning through individual reading and study. | I usually need direct explanation by an instructor and face-to-face interaction with peers to feel comfortable learning material. |
| I have my own relatively new computer (2-3 years old) onto which I can install any additional software necessary for the course. | My computer is 5-7 years old or I rely on computer labs or someone else's computer to do my work. |
Important Skills
| Answers that indicate an online course is a good choice. | Answers that indicate an online class may not be a good choice at this time. |
|---|---|
| I have no problem retaining information if I read it. | I retain information better if I hear it spoken directly to me. |
| I can learn from a variety of formats (lectures, videos, podcasts, online discussion/conferencing). | My learning style usually requires a structured lecture at its core. |
| I have reliable access to a high-speed Internet connection (DSL, cable, dorm, etc) | I have regular access only to a dial-up modem for Internet access. |
| I have access to a webcam and microphone for simple multimedia participation. | I do not have a webcam and microphone, or I will need to borrow those things. |
| I am comfortable and proficient at creating, saving, locating, and opening different types of files on a computer. | I am not comfortable or proficient working with files on a computer. |
| I know how to check my official minotstateu.edu email account and I can access it regularly to check for new messages. | I have never checked my official minotstateu.edu email account. |
| I am comfortable using online discussion forums. | I have never really posted messages to an online forum before. |
| I know how to login to Blackboard and I am familiar with using the most common tools. | I have little or no experience accessing and using Blackboard. |
