DSL
 

DSL Are Computer-Assisted Courses for You?

How well would computer-assisted courses fit your circumstances and lifestyle?

Circle one answer for each question and score as directed.

  1. My need to take this course is:
    1. High-I need it immediately for a degree, job, or other important reason.
    2. Moderate-I could take it later or substitute another course for it.
    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 get things done ahead of time.
    2. Needs reminding to get things done on time.
    3. Puts things off till the last minute.
  4. Classroom discussion is:
    1. Rarely helpful to me.
    2. Sometimes helpful to me.
    3. Almost always helpful to me.
  5. When an instructor hands out 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.
    3. Having the instructions explained to me.
  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 very frustrated.
  7. Considering my personal and professional schedule, the amount of time I have to work on a course is:
    1. More than enough for a traditional classroom course or computer-assisted course.
    2. The same as for a traditional classroom course.
    3. Less than for a traditional classroom course.
  8. When I am asked to use VCRs, 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. Slower than average-It takes me a while to read and understand
  10. When it comes to asking questions in a class, I:
    1. Am completely comfortable.
    2. Am nervous speaking publicly.
    3. Feel foolish not knowing the answer and having to ask for help.

Scoring

Add 3 points for each "A" that you circled, 2 for each "B," and 1 for each "C." If you scored 20 points or over, a computer-assisted course is a real possibility for you. If you scored between 11-20, a computer-assisted course 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, computer-assisted courses may not be the best alternative for you; talk to your advisor or a counselor.

Some Facts About Computer-Assisted Courses

  1. Students sometimes end up neglecting their computer-assisted courses because of personal and professional circumstances, unless they have compelling reasons for taking the course.
  2. Some students prefer the independence of computer-assisted courses; others find it uncomfortable.
  3. Computer-assisted courses give students greater freedom of scheduling, but they require more self-discipline than traditional courses.
  4. Some people learn best by interacting with other students and instructors, but computer-assisted courses do not provide much of this interaction.
  5. Computer-assisted courses may require more time than regular ones.
  6. Computer-assisted courses require a great deal of interacting with technology.
  7. The primary instructor in the computer-assisted course is the software program.
  8. Home assignments are very important in the computer-assisted course because they are the only way to practice what was learned in the lab and reinforce the concepts on the department final.