Distance Education Readiness

Are you considering signing up for a Distance Education class? HCC offers several different types of Distance Education classes. The information presented here may help you decide whether Distance Education is right for you.

There can be many advantages to taking Distance Education classes:

• Increased flexibility in your academic schedule - most Distance Education classes require only minimal face-to-face meetings at the college. You can attend class and work on assignments whenever the time is right for you. Even if you have a family and a full-time job you may still be able to take classes that are not available to you through the traditional face-to-face delivery format.
• Opportunities for better communication with your fellow students and instructors- electronic communication used in many Distance Education classes is fast, convenient, and inexpensive. It can occur asynchronously which means no 'missing class'. You will also be able to keep a record of all your communications, which minimizes confusion and repetition.
• The ability to work at home…or wherever - if you are taking an online course you may work wherever, and whenever you have access to a computer with Internet access. This might be on your lunch break at work, at home, or at your local library. You won't have the hassles of traveling to and from campus.

On the other hand, taking a Distance Education course may NOT be right for you. You may want to consider NOT taking a Distance Education class if you:

• Require the discipline of a set schedule to accomplish your goals.
• Rely on face-to-face interaction with your instructors and classmates.
• Can work effectively only when provided with immediate feedback, assistance, and encouragement.

To be successful in a Distance Education class you should be:

• Self-motivated. You should be willing to do whatever it takes to learn without the discipline of a regularly scheduled meeting time with your instructor.
• Self-disciplined. You should be able to budget your time and assign priorities to tasks you have undertaken.
• Willing to take charge of your own learning. You should be willing to seek out information from different sources….textbooks, library databases, and the Internet. You should also not be afraid or ashamed to ask for help when you need it.
• Able to comprehend and communicate well through writing. You should be able to understand college-level textbooks. You must be able to clearly express, in writing, what you have learned. You must also be able to identify and communicate any questions that you may have in writing.
• Aware. A flexible schedule does not mean that the course will be easy, or that you will not be required to meet deadlines for assignments. You must set aside time dedicated to fulfilling course requirements.
• Technically proficient. For online classes you should know how to access the Internet, how to use a word processing program, send email, and manage files.

TAKE THE QUIZZES! To help you decide whether or not a Distance Education class is right for you, take the quizzes below. These quizzes are for your own use only so try to be as honest and as accurate as possible.

Quiz 1: Study/Work Habits and Learning Preferences
These questions will help you determine whether you have adequate study/work habits to succeed in a Distance Education class.

1. Do you like to work independently?
     o Yes, I like figuring out things on my own. (score 3 points)
     o Sometimes, but there are times when I need help. (score 2 points)
     o No, I need a structured classrooms, personalized instructions, and frequent reminders to do my best. (score 1 point)

2. How comfortable are you having your instructor serve only as a 'guide on the side'?
     o Very much so, I like the idea of learning something on my own without too much help. (score 3 points)
     o Somewhat, but there are times when I need more help. I expect my instructor to be there when I do. (score 2 points)
     o Not at all, I prefer to be told exactly what I need to do and know. It is the instructor's job to teach me. (score 1 point)

3. What do you do when you do not understand something in a class?
     o I continue to ask questions until I understand. (score 3 points)
     o I will ask a question or two but if I don't get it after that I give up. (score 2 points)
     o I will rarely ask a question. (score 1 point)

4. When an instructor gives me written instructions for an assignment, I will:
     o try to figure out the instructions on my own. (score 3 points)
     o try to follow the instructions on my own first, then ask for help only if I need it. (score 2 points)
     o need the instructor to explain the instructions to me step-by step. (score 1 point)

5. Considering my personal and professional schedule, the amount of time I can devote to a 3-credit distance education class is:
     o 7-9 hours each week. (score 3 points)
     o 4-6 hours each week. (score 2 points)
     o 1-3 hours each week. (score 1 point)

6. Having face-to-face interaction with my instructor and fellow students is:
     o not very important to me. (score 3 points)
     o somewhat important to me. (score 2 points)
     o very important to me. (score 1 point)

7. When it comes to monitoring and assessing my own progress in a class:
     o I can keep track of my own progress, even without immediate and frequent feedback from my instructor. (score 3 points)
     o I prefer to receive regular feedback from my instructor, but I don't mind if I don't get it immediately. (score 2 points)
     o I need immediate and consistent feedback otherwise I get very nervous. (score 1 point)

8. In which type of environment do I learn best?
     o I am comfortable teaching myself and can manage my environment so that I can learn effectively. (score 3 points)
     o I can work on my own but sometimes need help creating a structured and suitable learning environment. (score 2 points)
     o I need all instructions and materials explained to me and need the structure of a classroom environment. (score 1 point)

9. How would you classify your ability to learn by reading printed materials?
     o I have good reading comprehension. (score 3 points)
     o I sometimes need to have the reading material explained and/or demonstrated to me. (score 2 points)
     o I am not a good reader and often need help understanding printed materials. I prefer hands-on activities. I am more of an 'experiential' learner. (score 1 point)

10. How would you classify your work/study habits?
     o I get started on an assignment right away and like to finish it ahead of schedule. (score 3 points)
     o I may procrastinate a little, but will pace myself so that I finish an assignment on time. (score 2 points)
     o I often wait until the last minute to get started and often turn in assignments late. (score 1 point)

11. How would you classify your writing skills?
     o I enjoy writing and do not usually need help organizing and writing my papers. (score 3 points)
     o I sometimes need help expressing my ideas in writing. (score 2 points)
     o I find writing difficult. I often need help with organization and grammar when writing. (score 1 point)

12. How do you feel about using the library to conduct research?
     o I am comfortable using the library and enjoy researching material required for class assignments. (score 3 points)
     o I sometimes need help using the library and find research somewhat boring. (score 2 points)
     o I usually cannot find the information I am looking for at the library and will avoid doing research, even if it means not doing well on an assignment. (score 1 point)

Score Quiz 1:
30-36: You possess the necessary study/work habits and skills to be successful in a Distance Education class.
25-29: You may need to make some changes in your study/work habits to succeed in a DE class.
Less than 24: Distance Education may not be right for you. You should sign up for a DE class only if you are highly motivated to improve some of your learning skills.

Quiz 2: Technical Preparedness
If you are considering taking an online or tele-web Distance Education class, please take this quiz. These questions will help you determine whether your technology skills are sufficient to take online or tele-web Distance Education classes. You will also need to check out the computer requirements for an online course.

1. I have access to a computer with an Internet connection:
     o At home. (score 3 points)
     o At work or a local library/computer lab. (score 2 points)
     o Not at all. (score 1 point)

2. What is your comfort level with computers?
     o I can install and run applications and manage files, including cutting and pasting text from one file to another. (score 3 points)
     o I sometimes need help to install and run applications and manage files. (score 2 points)
     o I am not comfortable using a computer and need a great deal of help doing so for any reason. (score 1 point)

3. How do you feel when asked to learn to use some new software or other technology?
     o I usually look forward to learning something new and can teach myself and quickly master it. (score 3 points)
     o I am usually apprehensive, but can eventually learn it. (score 2 points)
     o I try to avoid it and can only learn it if someone can show me what to do. (score 1 point)

4. What is your level of experience with the Internet?
     o I can conduct research using the Internet and understand how to find, evaluate, and bookmark websites. (score 3 points)
     o I have surfed the Internet for my personal use using a 'point and click' strategy. (score 2 points)
     o I have never used the Internet. (score 1 point)

5. How comfortable are you using e-mail?
     o I send and receive e-mail frequently. I can attach and open attached files. (score 3 points)
     o I send or receive e-mail infrequently but I do have an email account. (score 2 points)
     o I have never sent or received email and do not have an active e-mail account. (score 1 point)

6. How familiar are you with word-processing applications?
     o I can use at least one word-processing application and feel comfortable doing so. (score 3 points)
     o I can use one word-processing application but sometimes need help. (score 2 points)
     o I do not know how to use any word-processing applications and am uncomfortable typing on a keyboard. (score 1 point)

7. Do you know how to copy and save document files to a floppy disk or hard drive?
     o I am very comfortable with this and back-up my files frequently. (score 3 points)
     o I can usually accomplish this with some help, but I sometimes forget to back-up my documents. (score 2 points)
     o I do not know how to do this or feel very unsure about doing this. (score 1 point)

8. How proficient are you at moving text between files and documents?
     o I know how to cut and paste text to and from all types of documents, including web pages. (score 3 points)
     o I can move text within a document only. (score 2 points)
     o I do not know how to do this, or can do it with some difficulty. (score 1 point)

9. How proficient are you at managing your documents? This includes; creating, copying, and renaming files or documents and directories, and moving files and documents from one directory to another.
     o I am very proficient. (score 3 points)
     o I am somewhat proficient. (score 2 points)
     o I cannot manage my files, documents and directories without help. (score 1 point)

10. If you need help performing a task on a computer you will:
     o use available tutorials, seek assistance from a help desk or an instruction manual. (score 3 points)
     o ask a few people to show me before giving up. (score 2 points)
     o give up. (score 1 point)

Score Quiz 2:
26-30: You should have the technical skills necessary to succeed in an online or tele-web class.
22-25: Your technical skills may not be sufficient to succeed in an online class. You may want to consider taking a class to improve your technical skills before enrolling in an online class.
Less than 21: You should consider significantly improving your technical skills before taking an online or tele-web class.

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