Are you ready for online courses?
Counter to popular belief; online courses are not easier than face to face courses. It takes a special personality to be successful in an online learning environment.
Online classes require as much time and effort as a traditional class on campus. If you are new to using technology, such as computers, word processors, email and discussions boards you will probably spend more time at the beginning of your course just learning to use the technology. You do need to have good time management skills and be motivated to learn online. Instructors are there to help and support you, but they cannot make you go to the computer and complete assignments.
Many instructors, who teach online, prefer you to have time management skills, some technology experience and have no difficulty using email, discussion boards, the Internet and word processors. The more comfortable you are using technology, the less frustrated with technology you will be during the semester. If you are new to using a computer, and are not comfortable with the basic use of computers yet, then online courses are not for you. Are online classes right for you? Take few minutes and answer these questions:
- Do you like to work independently?
- Are you self-motivated, self-disciplined and have good time management skills?
- Are you comfortable using online help to find answers on your own?
- Do you read & write well?
- Do you prefer to learn by reading?
- Are you comfortable with waiting days or weeks for a response from the instructor?
- Do you ask for clarification or help and continue to ask when you need more information?
- Do you have access to reliable equipment?
- Are you comfortable interacting with individuals online?
- Do you have an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and are you familiar with your ISP?
- Do you have good study skills?
- Are you comfortable with surfing the Internet, using email, and discussion boards?
- Do you know what a browser is, and how to change its settings?
- Are you able to use various media players i.e. Quicktime, Real player or Windows Media Player to play multimedia files i.e. MP3's, .wav, .mov, .mpeg, .avi?
- Are you able to download, upload files and, add attachments to messages with little difficulty?
- Are you comfortable with a word processor?
- When it comes to homework and deadlines, do you procrastinate?
If you answered, "yes" to most of these questions, you'll do just fine. Let your instructor know your level of technology expertise.