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A Handy Questionnaire to Help you Decide
How well would online course fit your circumstances and lifestyle?  Choose one answer for each question and score as directed.

1. My need to take this course now is:

1. high - I need it immediately for degree, job or other important reason

2. moderate -- I could take it on campus later or substitute another course.

3. low -- it's a personal interest that could be postponed.

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

1. not particularly necessary to me.

2. somewhat important to me.

3. very important to me.

3. I would classify myself as someone who:

1. often gets things done ahead of time.

2. needs reminding to get things done on time.

3. puts things off until the last minute.

4. Discussions in a traditional classroom setting is:

1. rarely helpful to me.

2. sometimes helpful to me.

3. almost always helpful to me.

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

1. figuring out the instructions on my own.

2. trying to follow the directions on my own, then asking for help as needed.

3. having the instructions explained by the instructor.

6. I need faculty comments on my assignments.

1. within a few weeks, so I can review what I did.

2. within a few days, or I forget what I did.

3. right away, or I get frustrated.

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

1. more than enough for a campus class or a telecourse (7-9 hours per week).

2. the same as for a class on campus (4-6 hours per week).

3. less than for a class on campus (1-3 hours per week).

8. When I am asked to use computers, voice mail, or other technologies new to me:

1. I look forward to learning new skills.

2. I feel apprehensive, but try anyway.

3. I put it off or try to avoid it.

9. As a reader, I would classify myself as:

1. good -- I usually understand the text without help.

2. average -- I sometimes need help to understand the text.

3. I almost always need help understanding a college text.

10. I understand that basic computer skills are required for online courses.  I also realize that familiarity with the internet, the web, and listserves impact directly on student success in online courses.  As a computer user:

1. I am quite comfortable learning/using new software packages and enjoy using new equipment.

2. I can find my way around and have no problem using either tutorials or "help".

3. I plan to buy a PC and then take classes on using a computer and the Internet.

Scoring
Add 3 points for each "A", 2 points for each "B" and 1 point for each "C".  If you scored  20 or over an online course is a real possibility for you.  If you scored between 11 and 20 online courses may work for you, but you may need to make a few adjustments in your schedule and study habits to succeed.  If you scored 10 or less, online courses may not currently be the best alternative for you. talk to your counselor.

Explanations
The 10 questions in the questionnaire reflect some of the facts about taking online courses:

1. Online course students sometimes can end up neglecting online courses because of personal or professional circumstances unless they have compelling reasons for taking the course.
    

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

3. Online courses give students greater freedom of scheduling, but they can require more self-discipline than traditional on-campus courses.
    

4. Some people learn best by interacting with other students and instructor, but online courses often do not provide much opportunity for this face-to-face interaction.
    

5. Online courses require you to work from written directions without face-to-face immediate explanations by the instructor.
    

6. Comments from the instructor may take "longer" to get as they would be via e-mail, phone calls or the US mail.
    

7. Online courses may require more time than a traditional on-campus course if the student is unfamiliar with the necessary technology.
    

8. Online courses use advanced technology for teaching and communications.
    

9. Online materials, supplemented by print materials, are the primary source of directions and information in online courses.
    

10. Online courses, by nature of mode of delivery of course content, require that students have a basic computer skill level; students should be comfortable with using a PC, the Web, and Listserv.  Individual course instructor do not provide remedial "How-To-Use-A-Computer" instruction in addition to the intended course content.

Courtesy of Northern Virginia Community College Extended Learning Institute.  December 1996