Online Skills Quiz

1. 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. Have difficulty understanding the text without help.

2. I rate my skills in completing the following Internet tasks as:

navigating the Internet, using email-including attaching a file to an email message, downloading a program from the Internet and installing it, doing a search on the Web

a. Excellent  

b. Good

c. Weak

3. When I am asked to use VCR's, computers, voice mail, or other technologies new to me:

a. I look forward to the challenge of learning new skills

b. I feel apprehensive, but try it anyway

c. I put it off and try to avoid it

4. My need to take this course now is:

a. High-I need it immediately for a degree, job, or other important reason.

b. Moderate-I could take it on campus later or substitute another course.

c. Low-It's personal interest that could be postponed.

5. When an instructor hands out directions for an assignment, I prefer:

a. Figuring out the directions myself

b. Trying to following the directions on my own, then asking for help as needed

c. Having the instructions explained to me

6. I would classify myself as someone who:

a. Often gets things done ahead of time

b. Has no problem getting things done on time

c. Puts things off until the last minute

7. Considering my professional and personal schedule, the amount of time I have to work on an online course is:

a. six or more hours a week

b. four to six hours a week

c. less than four hours a week

8. Classroom discussion is:

a. Rarely helpful to me

b. Sometimes helpful to me

c. Almost always helpful to me

9. Feeling that I am part of a class is:

a. Not particularly necessary to me

b. Somewhat important to me

c. Very important to me

10. I need instructor responses to my questions and assignments

a. Within a week, 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 

Explanations:

1. Textual materials presented on the Internet are the primary source of directions and information for online courses; therefore, strong reading skills are important for success in an online course.

2. You must be able to complete these Internet tasks to be successful in an online class.

3. Online courses require frequent and diverse uses of technology for accessing information and assignments; therefore, you need to be comfortable working with various types of technology to be successful in an online course.

4. Online students sometimes neglect courses because of personal or professional circumstances, unless they have specific and compelling reasons for taking the course. Procrastination is the most common pitfall in taking an online course; don't let it happen to you!

5. Online courses require more self-direction since face-to-face instructions are sometimes not available. Students need to be critical readers; capable of reading instructions carefully and carrying them out with little or no assistance from instructor.

6. Online courses offer students greater freedom of scheduling, but they require more self-discipline than on-campus courses.

7. Online courses require AT LEAST as much or MORE dedicated time by the student as on-campus courses.

8. Some people learn best by interacting with others. Online courses do not provide opportunity for this interaction. Students take responsibility for interacting with instructor.

9. Some students prefer the independence of online courses; others find it uncomfortable.

10. In online courses, instructors are not able to respond to questions immediately like they are in on-campus classes.

Scoring: The most successful students will answer "A" to questions 1 through 7.If you have 7-10 "A" or "B" responses you are a good candidate for online s. The more "A's", the higher your score. More "B's", the lower your score. If your answers are mostly "B" or "C" then online courses would not be an appropriate choice.

Source: CVC Regional Center II at Rio Hondo College and Suzanne E. Frederickson. 562.463.4625