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Readiness Survey

Online learning can be a great opportunity, but it is NOT for everyone. While many students find online learning a positive experience, others find it frustrating and have difficulty being successful in online learning courses. Successful distance learners share certain characteristics. By taking a few minutes to thoughtfully answer the 10 questions below, you help yourself determine if online learning is for you. (Check your score with the guidelines listed after the survey.)

  1. I have
  1. Good organizational skills
  2. Fair organizational skills
  3. Poor organizational skills
  1. I am the kind of person 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
  1. Because of my other responsibilities, the amount of time I have to spend on course work is
  1. 1-4 hours each week
  2. 5-8 hours each week
  3. 9-12 hours each week
  1. 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 directions explained to me
  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 is a personal interest that could be postponed.)
  1. When I am asked to use VCR's, 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
  1. When it comes to assessing my standing in class, I
  1. Can assess my progress without immediate feedback from the professor
  2. Like to receive regular feedback, but not immediately
  3. Need immediate feedback from my professor
  1. My writing skills are
  1. Excellent
  2. Fair
  3. Poor
  1. 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.)
  1. I learn best by
  1. Reading course materials and viewing graphics
  2. Listening to an explanation of a topic
  3. Doing things (e.g., experiments)

Scoring

Give yourself 3 points for each "A" you picked, 2 for each "B", and 1 for each "C", and add all the points together.

If you scored

20 or more points An online learning course is a real possibility for you.
11-19 points Distance learning courses may be for you, but you may need to make a few adjustments in your schedule and study habits to succeed.
10 or fewer points Online learning courses may not be the best alternative for you; you should talk with your advisor or counselor.
 

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Dr. Thomas Kolsky
Dr. Thomas Kolsky
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Dr. Thomas Kolsky received his doctorate in history from the George Washington University

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