CVC Online Survival Guide

Successful Online Skills Survey

Is an online course right for you?

Answer the questions and then review the Explanations that follow:

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.
I rate my skills in completing the following Internet tasks:
   ● 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
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Weak
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 it anyway.
3. I put it off and try to avoid it.
My need to take this course now is:
1. High - I need it immediately for a 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.
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.
I would classify myself as someone who:
1. Often gets things done ahead of time.
2. Has no problem getting things done on time.
3. Puts things off until the last minute.
Classroom discussion is:
1. Rarely helpful to me.
2. Sometimes helpful to me.
3. Almost always helpful to me.
When an instructor hands out directions for an assignment, I prefer:
1. Figuring out the instructions myself.
2. Trying to follow the directions on my own, then asking for help as needed.
3. Having the instructions explained to me.
I need instructor responses to my questions and assignments:
1. Within a week, 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.
Considering my professional and personal schedule, the amount of time I have to work on online courses is:
1. six or more hours a week
2. four to six hours a week.
3. less than four hours a week.

Explanations

The ten questions in the questionnaire reflect some of the facts about taking online courses.

Textual materials presented on the Internet are the primary source of directions and information for online courses; therefore, strong reading skills are very important for success in an online course.
You must be able to complete the following Internet tasks to be successful in an online course: navigate the Internet, use email, including attaching a file to an email message, download a program from the Internet and install it, and do a search on the Web.
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.
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!
Some students prefer the independence of online courses; others find it uncomfortable.
Online courses offer students greater freedom of scheduling, but they can require more self-discipline than on-campus courses.
Some people learn best by interacting with others. Online courses frequently do not provide much opportunity for this interaction. The individual student must take responsibility for regularly contacting other students and the instructor.
Online courses require more self-direction since face-to-face instructions are sometimes not available.
In online courses, instructors are not able to respond to questions immediately like they are in on-campus classes.
Online courses require AT LEAST as much dedicated time by the student as on-campus courses. Typically, successful students report spending more time - not less - than for a regularly scheduled class.

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